I have four children. All of whom have a credit card in their name, but with my account number and paid for by myself. The account is a Citibank Gold Mastercard AAdvantage. We have had this account for over 10 years with these cards being issued to my children as teenagers, now college students, over 6 years ago. This account is paid off monthly and has never carried a balance from month to month. My bill averages $5,000 per month between tuition, books, supplies, food and other living expenses. I have never even had a late payment.

Since all five cards were being used in different areas of the state in one day, my credit card was frozen. It wasn't until I arrived back home and called in to find out the problem. They said it was their anti-fraud unit at work. Needless to say, I was livid and nearly stranded five hours from home after dropping my son off at school. Thank goodness I had just enough cash for gas to drive the 5 hours home. I told their anti-fraud unit to look at my account and they would have the tuition bills for the various colleges and they should have noted that all the charging was being done in those college towns. I followed up my phone call with a written letter to the anti-fraud unit.

So far it has not happened again, but at least I am aware that my children or I only need call the 800 number on the back of the card if it does happen, and it will be released immediately.

Pamela from Wisconsin