Sort of
Banks are under a lot of scrutiny these days especially south of the border. Candidly, I’d hate to work in the PR department for a US bank as it probably ranks right up there with being a defense attorney for Bernie Madoff or fertility doctor for the Octo-Mom. (The fact her last name is similar to my first name is purely coincidental.)
Now I’ve never hesitated to call out banks here in Canada where I’ve felt it’s warranted. Some of them are generous supporters of the CMA but that hasn’t stopped me either. But this time I’m going to compliment one. Sort of.
You see I’ve been an RBC customer since I was four-years old. So for over 20 years I have been a loyal customer. (Banks aren’t the only ones good at creative accounting.) Pretty much anything financial I have is locked-up with RBC. They have made a fair amount of money off me over the years. Don’t even get me started on service charges but I digress.
Last week I got a voicemail from them saying I should call their fraud/security department. Don’t you just love those calls? I spoke to them and they advised me that my bank card was used at a location where 'skimming' had previously occurred before and therefore as a protective measure they were disabling my bank card. I’d have to go to any RBC branch and get a new one.
Slight inconvenience but I’d rather take that over some punk enjoying a brand new entertainment system or trip to the Bahamas on my nickle. Nothing fraudulent had occurred yet so I was appreciative of their efforts. I then had to go in during business hours and get a temporary bank card until a new one was mailed to me. With me so far?
I get the temporary bank card from the RBC employee and then ask her the following question: “Can you tell me where the suspected fraud happened? That way I can avoid that establishment in the future and not have to see you again for another temporary bank card.”
“Unfortunately our fraud department doesn’t give us those kinds of details Mr. Ahmed.”
Right. So now I automatically get suspicious of anyone I’ve used my bank card with in the past week? So now I just pay by cash everywhere I go? The financial experts love that idea. I suspect the folks at Interac (the processing company that facilitates bank cards) do not. Maybe the bank doesn’t want to name the firm where the suspected fraud occurred for fear of legal implications? I’m not sure what to think.
I explained my rationale to the RBC employee and she agreed with me. But there was nothing she could do. Oh and I had to enter a new PIN code as the one I used for the past 16 years was no longer valid. Security measures and all of course. And if it happens again? “It's unlikely but in such event we’ll be happy to replace your card for you Mr. Ahmed.”
So thanks for looking out for me RBC. Sort of.
