Is Your Jailer a Bank?

Do you think your credit card company has your best interests in mind?

Um, sure, and pigs fly and cows really do jump over the moon.

You probably believe that Santa Claus is fat, wears an uncomfortable-looking red suit and shimmies down your chimney (with plenty of lube of course) on Christmas Eve. Everyone knows that's not true. Folks, Santa is not fat. He gets plenty of exercise up there at the North Pole chasing cute little elves and swimming with the dolphins.

ReformingGeek?

Yes?

The dolphins like the water a bit warmer.

So Santa lives at the South Pole then.

Um, no, ReformingGeek, no. Get on with your rant.

Sigh.

Twice in one month, we've had our credit card account "frozen" because of suspected fraudulent activity. This activity was from Hubby and me. That's right. WE bought stuff. Sorry. Excuse us, Bank, for using your credit card with the painful yearly fee just so we can accumulate airline miles that aren't worth the paper used to print them.

Wait. Paper? Print?

OK. That's an exaggeration but the cost of an airline ticket using miles has gone up just like everything else and would you believe there is a FEE to talk to an agent? YIKES! Don't get me started.

Let me explain this path of disenchantment with Bank. The first incident occurred because of an online transaction, followed by a couple of errands involving fuel and junk healthy food purchases. During the time it took for me to get back home, hear the phone message from Bank, and call to confirm the transactions, our Internet provider attempted to process our automated monthly payment.

DE-NIED.

Thanks, Bank.

Lets me out, Bank. I can has geeks....or maybe shoes or small wienie dogs?

The second incident occurred because we had the audacity to go on vacation and buy something in Texas (at the airport), in Boston, Massachusetts (a meal), and somewhere in Maine (bear repellent and Diet Dr Pepper), all within 24 hours. Oops. SHAME ON US!

When we travel, we rely heavily on credit cards. It's a good thing we had a spare from another bank. Yes, we did call Bank and straighten things out.

A couple of months before these transactions were flagged, we received new credit cards in the mail because Bank had some sort of compromised data problem and "to protect us" they had to re-issue our cards. Thanks, Bank. We appreciate having to change almost a dozen automatic payments and we usually forget one or don't get it done in a timely manner (Yes, there is now a list because this is not the first time we have had to do this.)

There are probably more specifics that went into whatever magical formula Bank uses to search for potential fraud, but, PU-LEEZE, stop already, 'K? When Bank sent us the new cards, they asked us if we wanted to buy credit card fraud protection insurance. WTF? Um, no. I have a better idea: I'M ALREADY PAYING. PROVIDE SERVICE.

In other news, this hilarious and crazy blogger from Utah with a poultry fetish gave me this award:


Thanks, Betty. I'm reviewing my chicken recipes. I've never cooked a zombie chicken, though. I hope they aren't too tough.

This lady reminds me of someone. Yes, someone that might be one bubble short of level.

Um, ReformingGeek?

Yes?

Betty explains "multi-level" over on her blog, My Life in a Multi-Level. You are talking about yourself again, aren't you?

Um, yeah, probably.

I did receive another award and I have not forgotten it. It involves me actually having to think so I will post about it next time.

BTW, this post is way too long and I'm feeling lazy so I'm not naming bloggers to receive the Zombie Chicken Award. Besides, I couldn't catch that greasy, slimy cat to pick out his favorites. I bloggy love all of you great people, zombies, and aliens. Please take the award if you would like it.

Photo credit: jailed big cat: Manuele Hoffmann, flickr.com, Creative Commons license (see sidebar).