For Fuck's Sake!

[offbalance]

It's been 9 days since my bank first contacted me about my stolen card number. Everyone I had spoken to was extremely nice about it and I was pleased with the service I received. And I waited for a new card.

And waited. Still nothing. So, I call. I use the phone number on the mailing I was sent to confirm the report.

The 'woman' I spoke to sounded like a 12 year old, but not because of a high voice. No, she sounded like she'd barely been paying attention in school, and could barely command the English language. After 5 frustrating minutes, I asked for a supervisor. Apparently I shouldn't be concerned about how long it's been taking, because this amount of time is 'normal.' If I'd wanted the card to be expedited, I should have asked for it. I pointed out that no one had mentioned this to me. The reply? "They never do."

Can I mention again how paranoid I am that this is really just some big scam? Especially since when I called to follow up, the first brain surgeon I spoke to, asked me FIRST for my card number.

Me:"When I was informed the number was stolen, I destroyed the card as I was instructed to."
Her: "Oh, um. Right. So....uh, can I have your social?"
Me: "Can I just give you my account number? I'd rather not read the social over the phone, given what's happened to me recently."
Her: *annoyed sigh* "FINE."

The supervisor wasn't much better. After explaining the process of how a card is issued, I expressed to her how frustrating it is to wait and how I had been concerned that the card had been stolen en route to me, as the number had been taken before. Her reply?
"Well, you don't have to worry about that. I mean, we don't know how they get the numbers - they can swipe receipts or get them from the internet or the atm, we have no idea. We're figuring out ways to fix this, but we don't know how it happens."

Um, excuse me? This is the crack team that's tracking down my stolen card number? I feel so much better knowing these aces are on the case. Just like seeing a drunken pilot as you get on a plane gives you the knowledge of a secure flight does, or finding out your chef has some kind of infectious disease gives your meal that extra something. And this is my third or fourth time even trying to get through - the last couple of days, going through the main number, the hold times have been so long I haven't even been able to sit on the phone and wait to get through to security. Which is an even cozier feeling to cuddle up to at night.

The only upside of this is that in less than 2 months, I will be in Las Vegas.

And now, I have to go and tend to the massive pile O'work in front of me. Later I will post about the lovely meal I had at Artisanal with quasisonic & unsimilar. We went off the Restaurant Week menu to add some wine & cheese to our meal, but the extra cost was so very worth it. That's right - happy thoughts.

Comments

[pizanite.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have sent you that email. Don't worry, sweetie, I'm sure everything's fine. After all, you had been in contact with your bank before and they sent you a confirmation report in the mail. Is the number you called the same number as the bank's main phone line? Maybe try calling their regular number to see if you can get normal adult people.

[pizanite.livejournal.com]

**hugs**

[stacyinthecity.livejournal.com]

If you are worried about it being a scam (and I understand that, I would have had the same thought!), call a regular bank number you know and see if you can get in touch with their fraud team that way to confirm what is going on.

Also? Really weird reply about how "we don't know how this happens."

I'm sorry this is so frustrating. :(

[teany.livejournal.com]

Which bank do you use? Maybe it's time to take your money elsewhere. (If this is a big company, this is unnaceptable.) Mitch and I once had some kind of computer virus that tried to get my account info. I got paranoid and just went to the local branch and they gave me a new temporary ATM card.

[redesigner.livejournal.com]

I was just about to ask that very same question. I use Washington Mutual and their fraud alert department is very conscienscious about calling me if they think even the tiniest thing seems out of place. Wachovia was good on stuff like this too, when I used them, but they're just so expensive.

[theatre-pixie.livejournal.com]

I know that I live WAY the hell out in the sticks, but out here we are told that an ATM/banking card will take seven to ten business days to arrive and that we really ought to wait 14 days just to be sure.

Now, if your card has not arrived within 21 days, please feel free to panic.

Your friendly former bank teller,
Sara