Got an SMS from HSBC this morning to call one Ms Sree regarding my credit cards. She wanted to check if I bought diamonds in Canada, to which I said no. She then told me to stop using my Visa Platinum and they'll courier down a new one for me on Monday.

That's what I love about HSBC credit cards.

Probably because the transaction took place at odd hours - I got 1 ring last night from their number ...think they realized it's probably a fraud and if so, I'd likely be sleeping at 1:30am.

Anyway, Ms. Sree didn't ask for any personal information at all. I just gave her my name and she asked me about those transactions, i.e. nothing about my card number, etc.

Actually, I'd prefer to call them than they call me because they chance for fraud is lower - I have they're number and they're unprepared for my call.

Not too bad. Gives me more time to cancel my cards now that it's not on Jan 1st.

Was deciding whether to potong my CIMB Enrich Gold the other day. My CL is only RM12k nia (all my other cards minimum RM20k CL) bcos I'm a freelancer and CIMB is the most kiasu bank in my experience - they even called me at 12am once to check when I pumped RM50 petrol.

So I suka-suka wrote an email to the head of credit card and ask for an upgrade to CIMB Enrich Platinum. Told her I have no documents to proof my income but to base my request on my last 10 months spending/payment.

Got a reply from her within 1 hour that she'll look into it. Within the next hour, an officer called to inform me I've been upgraded to plat with RM50k CL ...looks like an improvement in CIMB's service

If later I can upgrade my CL to RM75k, then can become a priority customer without committing any money to them.

Do you guys buy any credit card insurance like HSBC's Card Protection Plus, especially those with high CL?

No, not that one. The one which provides limited liability in case you lose your credit card and make a report before unauthorized use.

I'm worried about that because I use my card on the Internet a lot and there's been 2 cases of unauthorized use, and my cards were changed twice already. Luckily, I didn't incur any losses because HSBC confirmed them as fraudulent use. But now that I'm also given high CL for my CIMB, I'm worried that they may not be as nice.

So is it necessary to get such insurance?

http://www.hsbc.com.my/1/2/personal-bankin...protection-plus

What I'm confused about is doesn't BNM fix our liability at RM250 for fraud? If that's the case, then why would anyone want to buy this insurance?

The minimum CL for platinum is RM20k so it's a bit difficult. But with so many people cancelling their credit cards because of the tax, there may be banks that are desperate enough.