Sheer gall and impertinence

I have one very small cash account with a financial institution. It's my occasional coffee and lunch account. Never more than $100 in it. Also hold some shares in the company.

Today I received a call attempting to sell me life insurance products. It transpired the letter I received about it, of which I read the first line and then threw into the recycle bin, had a statement if I didn't call them to stop the call, I would receive one.

The bloody cheek. I'm supposed to call them to say I don't want a call about a product I didn't ask for!! Get real.

I am a bit annoyed, although at the same time slightly amused by it. And no I didn't take up the kind offer.

Judd said:

I have one very small cash account with a financial institution. It's my occasional coffee and lunch account. Never more than $100 in it. Also hold some shares in the company.

Today I received a call attempting to sell me life insurance products. It transpired the letter I received about it, of which I read the first line and then threw into the recycle bin, had a statement if I didn't call them to stop the call, I would receive one.

The bloody cheek. I'm supposed to call them to say I don't want a call about a product I didn't ask for!! Get real.

I am a bit annoyed, although at the same time slightly amused by it. And no I didn't take up the kind offer.

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Yes, very annoying when the onus is on you to maintain your right to privacy. I wonder if the letter you received overrides entries in the DO NOT CALL REGISTRY where applicable.

On a similar vein, I received a text message this morning from a company I bought a product from 12 month ago, with some offer for existing customers. The problem is that I am holidaying overseas at the moment and I am charged by Telstra for text messages received overseas. 50 cents or so if I recall correctly.

Was it Commonwealth Bank? If so I found it disappointing after the Four Corners story.

boofhead said:

Was it Commonwealth Bank? If so I found it disappointing after the Four Corners story.

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No, it wasn't the CBA and, really, it doesn't matter which organisation it is. If an organisation has an existing relationship with you they are exempt from the Do Not Call register unless you specifically contact them to say not to contact you.

From the DNC web-site:

registration won't stop all calls and faxes. Some public interest organisations (e.g. charities, political parties and educational institutions) can still call numbers listed on the register. This ensures these organisations can continue to provide valuable services to the community.

If you have an existing relationship with a business, it can still contact you, but you can advise them you do not wish to receive telemarketing calls or marketing faxes from them in the future.

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Obviously, that does not prevent them writing to you with an offer you can refuse. Just that the apparent DNC opt-out in written correspondence seems to be a new twist.

It occurs with charities, especially when you have made a donation. They think they have the right to contact you to ask for more. I tell them I am less inclined to donate to charities who contact me. I'll decide where my donations go and not in response to begging calls.

Same with the Hello, I'm Alvin, your account manager from Telco XYZ. Hi Alvin*, I manage my own account and I'll contact you if I want or need something.

As I age I am getting grumpier with the increased intrusions into my life and finances. When my brain ceases to function properly by all means provide me assistance until then rack off. You only want to gouge me not to assist me.

* For some reason that given name is familiar.

* For some reason that given name is familiar.

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Maybe it should be Marvin the paranoid android

Judd, just a thought: if the letter was personally addressed to you and had other identifying details such as your having an existing investment with the company, did you shred it or remove those ID before tossing it in the recycle bin?
Perhaps I'm a bit over-cautious about identity theft, but I never put anything in there that will identify me.

Julia said:

Judd, just a thought: if the letter was personally addressed to you and had other identifying details such as your having an existing investment with the company, did you shred it or remove those ID before tossing it in the recycle bin?
Perhaps I'm a bit over-cautious about identity theft, but I never put anything in there that will identify me.

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Not over cautious at all Julia, identity thieves have been known to source information from their intended victim's trash and unsecured mailboxes. One of my family members has a history of perpetrating such crimes.

Julia said:

Judd, just a thought: if the letter was personally addressed to you and had other identifying details such as your having an existing investment with the company, did you shred it or remove those ID before tossing it in the recycle bin?
Perhaps I'm a bit over-cautious about identity theft, but I never put anything in there that will identify me.

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A shredder, Julia. bag it up when full than into the bin (or compost) it goes.

Judd said:

A shredder, Julia. bag it up when full than into the bin (or compost) it goes.

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I don't have a veggie garden or compost bin; I take my shrodden paper to the nearest pet shop.
They always need bedding material for their kitten and puppy "Display Homes".