posted on October 1, 2003 03:34:26 PM new
I've ever received...WTF:
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RALPHIE:
I read the postings on the VENDIO board every day, but am not registered with them, so cannot post anything. Here is something you might want to pass on to them. this is not an urban legend and yes, the information is accurate. I am a federal investigator and my job is to interview people who want a job with the federal government.
I interviewed someone today who used to work for a telemarketer. They
were a private company, taking inbound calls, and their customer was a
major credit card company. For those who have credit cards (and who
doesn't!), you are all familiar with the little sticker on top of the
card when you receive it. It says something like "CALL THIS 800
NUMBER FROM YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER TO ACTIVATE YOUR CARD, OTHERWISE
YOU CANNOT USE IT - SECURITY MEASURES, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH).
This telemarketer firm was at the other end of that 800 number. He
said that the cards were already activated when you receive them, but
the purpose of that little sticker is to get you to call so they can
sell you card insurance (i.e., if you are out of work and cannot pay
your bill). The fine print says that it "only" costs 85c per $100
owed. However, if you do the math, that is $42.50 per month on a
$5000 balance. When someone called in, he would give them the
scripted pitch and if they said no, he never took their name or card
number (so how does the card get activated is the question! Answer:
it was already cleared to go for new charges!). The only time he took
down any information was when someone 'bit' and said, sure, I will
take the insurance. He then took the information down. There was
only once when someone called in that said, "Hey, I forgot to activate
my card, but already used it 3 or 4 times, and it seemed to work."
When that happened, he had a script to go to that said something to
the effect, "a mistake was made and your card was sent out already
activated. Thanks for calling and for the mistake we made, we will
give you a $20 credit on your next bill." The guy was happy and hung
up. The additional caveat of this whole deal is, in regards to the
new "DO NOT CALL" list, if any company has done business with you in
any fashion during the past 18 months, they can still call you as a
telemarketer (the company, or it's representatives, in this case, an
out-sourced telemarketing company). For instance, if you have an
account with AT&T wireless with their cell phone, they can still call
you and try to sell you local or long distance service. They are not
bound by the new Do Not Call list for 18 months AFTER you no longer
have business with that company. If there are loopholes, they will
find them.
Just thought all of you would like to know some of the inside workings
of that little-bitty sticker on your new credit card (or the one on
your renewed card when your old one has expired).
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If you reply to the email, your response will go directly to the member and
not through eBay.
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Ralphie is ROTFLHAOPIHP because I had cut up his CC's months ago!
posted on October 1, 2003 08:17:12 PM new
Tom, that sure is Bizare. If they want to post here, let them get an account...geez.
ps: I dont believe that about the card activation thing. They do that so if it is lost in the mail then not just anyone can use your CC before its activated from your home phone. Sure, they try to sell you stuff before during and after, but I do believe the want to know the card got in the right hands.
posted on October 1, 2003 08:48:05 PM new
When Wells Fargo or CitiBank sends me a new credit card, if I don't activate it immediately, I get a letter from them asking me to call to verify that I have received the card. Even the gasoline companies are doing this since the self serve pumps have taken over the job of the attendant who used to write down your license number when he filled up your tank, and checked your water and oil, and the air in your tires, and washed your windshield, and gave you green stamps, and even said thank you, all for $.40 a gallon. Now I'm dating myself by regressing to the good old days. Now, you just stick the "activated" card in the slot, pump the gas yourself and get the hell out so the next bum can fill up.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on October 2, 2003 09:16:15 AM new
I had the same thing happen when I called to activate a card, even down to the foreign accent. Man, was I annoyed. I was once a telemarketer, and I still hate them.
posted on October 2, 2003 10:57:07 AM new
Sparkz, I can remember that in 1970 there was price war in LA & gas was down to $.20/gallon. Ah the good old days.
posted on October 2, 2003 12:31:11 PM new
I think New Jersey is one of the few states that still employ people to pump your gas. Its like manadtory or something.
