Originally Posted by
pbjag
I just received a snailmail letter that my card is shut down for purchases-not due to a suspicious charge, but stemming from a conversation with a phone rep.
I had called last week to check my balance to see whether any payment was due (a credit should have brought it to around zero but i wanted to be sure.)
The automated system asked for a pin. Since I have never had one, i asked for a rep, answered all of their questions, but then was told I still needed the pin I had set up (um, sorry, really have never had a pin on this acct, just login and password.); we could not just re-set it. I told the agent I'd call back to discuss further when I had more time...then today received the letter that my card was shut down. So- why could they not have sent a new PIN with that letter?
While I applaud attempts for card security, my ability to answer their questions about SS#, last purchase venue/amount and personal other details has always been sufficient for any other credit card co./bank. What a PITA.
They would
never send a new PIN with the letter. Security 101.
If you don't have a PIN, ask for one. You will receive a pre-selected PIN in the mail and can then call in and change it.
If your call, which would have been recorded, was reviewed as it likely was, and did not make sense, that would result in a block.
Given that the CC issuer bears 100% fraud loss liability, it's not odd that they are careful about odd fact patterns (which could include saying that you would call back, but not calling back quite shortly).