Unsolicited credit cards: Poor security on the part of bank and Pos Laju

THE recent police crackdowns on syndicates producing fake credits cards have prompted me to highlight a very serious issue on safety that some banks are taking for granted.

Recently, I received a credit card from a renowned bank via Pos Laju that I never applied for. There were several security concerns that immediately came to mind on the lackadaisical attitude taken by the bank concerned.

Upon calling their customer service centre, I was duly informed that the card was "pre-approved' and the system showed that it has not been activated yet.

Nevertheless, what appalled me was the fact that there was no urgency shown by them as to why the card took so long to reach me in the first place! The card centre had produced the card dated Aug 26. It was only posted via Pos Laju on Sept 13 as indicated on the form.

Ironically, I only received it on Oct 11 after nearly one month with the postal service. Worse still, the delivery man from Pos Laju did not ask for any initials or acknowledgment of receipt from me before handing over the envelope.

He just dashed off hurriedly. And to top it all, there was a very evidently pasted red sticker on the envelope indicating that there was a card (debit/credit) in the package.

It is mind-boggling to me how a bank has conveniently breached all aspects of security in issuing, dispatching and tracking a valuable document which is as good as cash.

First and foremost, there was never an application made for the card and neither was there any verbal communication via telephone from the bank indicating that a credit card would be issued to me.

So how does one legally address the issue of the "pre-approved" concept if there were to be a breach or abuse of the card before the recipient receives it?

The card was practically "floating" somewhere for nearly six weeks upon issuance and the bank did not even have the courtesy to call me to ensure if indeed I had received it.

And does it take Pos Laju one month to deliver a letter within the Klang Valley? Compounding the fact is that even upon delivery a signature was not required.

The card could have gone missing and how would I have ever known that there was a card issued in my name in the first place?

The question that urgently needs to be addressed is: What is the approved, legitimate and sanctioned protocol that banks must adhere to in issuing a credit card?

Why are unsolicited credit cards being issued at the whim and fancy of the banks with little or no regard to safeguarding the interests of their clients?

What has Bank Negara, as the central governing authority, to say about such happenings?

Will I be liable if the card had indeed been tampered, abused, cloned or gone missing as it is issued in my name? Identity theft is a big concern to many, and credit card fraud is on the rise globally.

Yet the banks have a lackadaisical approach to this. The only comforting answer I obtained repeatedly from the bank was that the card had not been "activated".

But the fact remains that they had assumed I had received it. It is totally an unacceptable practice to send a "pre-approved" credit card without the written consent of the client.

I wonder how many such cards have been issued unknowingly to banks' clients.

It is sad that when there is a dispute regarding such cards, the onus is on the victim to clear the air and the bank only gets a slap on the wrist.

It is critical that Bank Negara put an end to such unethical solicitation of business by the banks and impose heavy penalties on them.

There must be an immediate stop to issuing "pre-approved" cards without the knowledge of the client. Cards should only be issued upon receipt of a complete and legitimate application.

It is also time that Pos Laju ensures prompt and timely delivery to the correct recipient, keeping in line with its motto


2011/10/28
NARINDER PAL SINGH, Shah Alam, Selangor
letters@nst.com.my