they all deserve to die

[pensnest]

J.F.C!!!!!!!

Somewhere between paying for my stuff at Aldi this morning, and unloading the shopping, my wallet was stolen. I walked straight back to see if it had been handed in - if I had left it on the counter, maybe, or in the trolley - but no.

Bugger.

I have spent the rest of the morning on the phone to my various banks and credit card people, and I may have to go on a murder spree.

Santander, in fairness, get brownie points for actually answering the phone and dealing with both my cards quickly and efficiently.

The Bank of Scotlnd automated menus (I completed the police report online while I was on hold for this one) think that when you call to cancel a stolen card, you are yet in a position to supply the three-digit code from the back of the card. How cute. And, when you have reached the end of an exhaustive and repetitive set of menus, you are asked to state

But the cake is taken by the Royal Bank of Scotland, who could not identify me at all, although they were willing to cancel my debit card. No, I don't do telephone banking, or internet banking, or mobile banking. I've only been a customer for 39 years. I could have given them details of my regular direct debits, but no, apparently possession of the bank statements is insufficient—seriously, if they send them to me, oughtn't they to know who I am? If I want a new card, I have to go in person to the nearest branch - 'my' branch is in London, so I'm not going there - and take my driving—no, wait, that was STOLEN ALONG WITH MY FUCKING CARD—take my passport, to prove who I am, so that they can issue me another card. Frankly I don't think I'll bother. I only use that account for the monthly charity debits and PayPal anyway.

So far this week is not going well.

I'm gonna go and inspect the bins in the vicinity of Aldi, just in case.

Comments

[yarnofariadne]

Oh no :( I'm so sorry.

[pensnest]

The banks' phone systems are just adding insult to injury, really. :-

[badly_knitted]

What a nightmare! *hugs*

[pensnest]

Thank you! It is *so* frustrating.

[sperrywink]

Oh no! How frustrating and horrible.

[pensnest]

The really annoying thing (hah!) is all those cards and bits and pieces that I can't replace, even though they are worth nothing.

[turps]

I'm sorry, some people are scum!

I'm not surprised you feel so murderous.

[pensnest]

I was about ready to reach down the phone line and strangle the RBS woman! I mean. In all the 39 years I've been with them I am *certain* they've asked me some identifying questions. If I'd only joined the bank six months ago it would all have been simple. Grrrrrr.

[corvidology]

I'm sorry this happened.

It's really bizarre that the Royal Bank of Scotland has such antiquated methods.

[pensnest]

If I'd joined them in the 21st century it would probably have been easier. I swear she asked me three times for my telephone account ID, and at least twice for my internet banking ID. Grar. I use the account for PayPal, mostly, so I won't close it but, oh, I'm tempted.

[bettina]

Oh no, that sucks. I'm sorry.

[pensnest]

It does! Thank you.

[semielliptical]

Oh, I'm sorry that happened! And the terrible responses from the banks when you need help. :(

[pensnest]

It cannot be in the banks' interest to have either such convoluted lines of questioning on the phone, or to be on the phone with a hapless customer for TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES while they faffed around failing to find a means of identifying me. Though they were willing to cancel the stolen card. Grar.

At least the police were efficient - a friendly officer called this afternoon just to commiserate.

[manna]

Oh no, that's so annoying! Banks can be completely useless.

[pensnest]

The local Library service, by contrast, swung into action about my stolen library card and was very helpful!

[author_by_night]

UGH. I'm so sorry.

[pensnest]

Thank you. At least I got a good rant out of it!

[dine]

I am so so sorry! both for the theft, and then the amazing hassle in trying to handle the resulting fallout. hard to believe such a runaround by the banks

[pensnest]

You'd think they would *want* me to be able to spend money... eh.

[frausorge]

Oh no, that's awful! All best wishes for the rest of the replacement process - what a horrendous hassle.

[pensnest]

At least it's possible to replace the credit and debit cards easily enough, and the driving license. But things like my Hobbycraft loyalty card (which I actually use) and that kind of stuff...

[buddleia]

What a complete nightmare, I’m so sorry!

[pensnest]

Well, my standards for nightmare have changed a bit, but at least I could relieve my feelings with a rant!

[brandywine28]

Oh, my God, no!

I know Mondays have a bad reputation, but -- Jesus.

[pensnest]

Yeah. And yet, not the worst day of the week so far.

[turlough]

What an absolutely nightmare for you! You have all my sympathy! *sends lots and lots of good thoughts*

[pensnest]

Thank you! It's been very tedious, and I rue the loss of all those things like my butcher's loyalty card and my Sainsbury's vouchers, which are trivial but, ack!

[chalcopyrite]

Oh how infuriating! Really sorry to hear that.

Plz inform if support needed for murderspree.

[pensnest]

Eh, I think tracking them all down would be more trouble than it's worth... I may feel differently if I get a decent night's kip, of course!

[ephemera]

Oh no! That is insult added to injury, to have so much stress and bother from the banks! (and on top of whatever prompted Sunday's post) I hope Tuesday has been substantially better!

[pensnest]

Well, I guess yesterday *was* better than Monday, and everything is better than Sunday. So we're improving! And I managed to shop yesterday using Beast's card, which is something.

Life. Don't talk to me about Life.