Mariann's musings

posted on 20 May 2011

A Rant on internet banking

My bank has been taken over. I have been using internet banking services for a while with no problem so thought it would continue. And it did - until now.
Thinking I must diversify my meagre funds a little I opened two offshoot accounts, instant access, tax free. But was it instant? No, and it has taxed my patience to the limit. Letters arrived quoting various numbers, some hidden for security purposes:
Registration number;
Identification number;
Passcode;
Telephone banking number.
Confusion reigned but I decided to tackle it head on today. Bad move. Using my former bank's website, which I have always done, I encountered my first block. The password did not work. Concerned that I would be taken for an internet fraudster I decided to phone them up for assistance. Now I know it's a Bank holiday today but...
Simon eventually answered and was so sweet and helpful. Apparently I was using the wrong website and he did offer to stay on the phone while I accessed the new one, at my cost, and he would 'talk me through it.'
I tried, I really did, but these people talk so quickly and are obviously geared up to fast delivery of their products that I became lost very soon and decided to go it alone.
Success? I entered my details. Unfortunately I was one number short in one of the boxes so a message in red came up. I rectified this. Again a message in red for the other details so I resubmitted those. The first red message was repeated. Ah, I was supposed to resubmit the whole thing. By now my brain was addled by numbers but I succeeded.
Now perhaps I could transfer some funds? No.
In order to do this I had to submit my mobile number so that they could send me yet another number in order to do so. Now I do have a mobile number but it is private. So private that I don't even know it. It is used for friends, family and the occasional lost lover who wants to reminisce (bless) so I had to get my notebook out to find it.
Dutifully I did this if only to end my torment.
Then I was informed that my time on their website had expired! I gave up.

Mariann Harkness

Image: Getideaka / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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