Citibank Citibank debate card does not work Internet

I purchased 12 months of heart worm medication for my dog mostly because of the $35 rebate offer from Novartis. I submitted my paperwork and received my rebate in the form of a $35 debit card from Citibank. It has an expiration date of July 2015.

I went to use the card today March 11, 2015, but it didn't work. I called the toll free number on the back of the card only to reach a recording giving me the option to check my balance. I then looked up Citibank online and called a different number. I was transferred to three different people. When I explained my situation, each one said they could help me. But once I gave them the debit card number, they would pass me off to another department. The last person I spoke with transferred me to the original toll free number that is listed on the back of the card with the only option being that I could check my balance. 

So now I am stuck with a non-working debit card and $156 poorer after purchasing 12 months of heart worm medication. After some research online, I found consumeraffairs.com and saw that many people have had the same exact problem!