Quan writes:

I just wanted to let you know about a recent problem (10/15) with the Shell branded Citi Mastercard. Apparently, on October 15th, Citi decided to close thousands of accounts without notice. When I personally called to see why my card was closed, they CSR's response was " Something on your Equifax report prompted us to close your account. A letter was supposed to have sent out to you, but there was a delay. You will receive your letter shortly, which will provide further details." She would/could not tell me what was wrong exactly. Curious, I decided to check my credit report and NOT to my surprise, absolutely nothing negative was recently added! I decided to do a google search to see if others have experienced similar issues and I found out I was not the only one.

So, they are closing accounts for no apparent reason and telling their (former) customers that there is something wrong with their credit report when there really isn't. The best part is that Citi is not going to be paying the rebate we have earned for purchases in the previous month because the account was closed. For some people this is quite significant because they use this card as their primary card. I have not confirmed, but apparently, the 15th was chosen as the date to close accounts because that is the day before the billing cycle ends, which allows them to forgo giving us our rebates.

Some background info on the card: This is a shell branded Citi Mastercard that gives 5% rebates on all Shell gas purchases. I use this card exclusively to purchase gas and have always received a monthly rebate equal to 5% of all my shell gas purchases and 1% for all other purchases. The majority of the time I pay my balance in full each month, which allows me to maximize my savings (obviously).

Did Citi cut off your gas-station branded credit this week? Does this affect your personal finance situation? Sound off in the comments.

Citi starts closing Mastercards without warning [MSNBC]
(Photo: Kenny Hindgren)

He writes:

I received several $50 gift cards for Exxon Mobil this Christmas. The cards were payed for with cash (I asked my Aunt, who gave them to me), and the card clearly states on the back "This gift card is not a credit card". When I went to use it at my locall Mobil (Astoria Blvd in Queens, NY), they charged me the credit price! I went in to complain, but the clerk mumbled something that I couldn't understand and I was in a hurry. Just wanted to alert your readers... Exxon Mobil gift cards are a bad deal. Cash will go further.

PS. Is is even legal to have a credit price in New York?

Nope, it's not legal in New York, Rob. Check out this from Just Ask Asa:

Nine states in addition to New York prohibit merchants from adding surcharges to credit card transactions: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Texas. Credit card issuers, including Visa and MasterCard, generally forbid credit card surcharges too–although they allow cash discounts.

A lot of gas stations seem to be ignorant, willfully or accidentally, about the surcharge issue. If you live in a state that forbids them, you should report the station to your attorney general's office. If you live in another state but you think the sation is in violation of its credit card merchant agreement, you should contact the credit card company and the parent company of the gas station. And buy your gas elsewhere.

In this case, Rob, you should definitely report the station to the New York Attorney General—their consumer helpline is 1-800-771-7755.

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He thought that was that. Until another box arrived this week.

"How could you send me 2,000 cards by mistake?" Van Buren said he asked customer service after the second plastic payload arrived.

When he was again told that it was a mistake and that he should destroy these, too, he balked and said he'd rather return them.

"They refused to take them back," he said.

"One of the main ways identity thieves work is by stealing credit cards right out of your mailbox," added Zulfikar Ramzan, a security expert at software giant Symantec. "For all you know, there could be a third box that he didn't get."

Man orders 2 credit cards, receives 2,000 [New York Daily News] (Thanks to Sarah!)
(Photo: Michael_L)

In a rousing speech for 300 oilmen and oilwomen with partner Shepard Wolff, the executive reassured the crowd that, even if billions die from expected climate-change-related disasters, the industry will continue to prosper. The oil companies could "keep fuel flowing," said the execs, by turning all the dead people into oil.

Wolff "described the technology used to render human flesh into a new Exxon oil product called Vivoleum," according to a press release about the event. "3-D animations of the process brought it to life" and candles were lit in honor of an Exxon Mobil janitor who was the first to undergo the process. The speakers were quickly removed from the stage when it was learned, via a final video testimonial from the deceased, that the candles were the janitor.

Wolff defended his actions for waiting reporters, saying, "150,000 people already die from climate-change related effects every year. That's only going to go up - maybe way, way up. Will it all go to waste? That would be cruel." Calgary cops soon arrived, but could find nothing wrong as long as "the executives" agreed to leave the premises.

The executives being the Yes Men, of course. The Yes Men are two guys who impersonate executives from unlovable corporations, get their fake selves invited to speak at conferences, and embarrass the hell out of their targets. You can learn more at http://www.theyesmen.org. And don't forget to check out these hysterical pictures of the speech. —BRIAN FAIRBANKS