Company’s practice is what’s irregular

Published 1:19 pm Friday, April 18, 2008

You should be aware there is a company employed by banks to monitor your bank account to watch your spending. Really? Really!

I thought I would get ahead of the 2009 change in broadcasting and upgrade my TV. I ordered a TV from Costco. Because this is not my usual buying pattern, this company flagged my account and blocked my debit card. Disabled it! I don’t carry cash, so for all intent and purposes, I was penniless.

I got a call from this company asking me to call and resolve this. I was not home when this all happened so I was wandering about, fat, dumb and happy, not knowing that if I tried to use my debit card it would be blocked. Why they blocked my card instead of the out-of-the-ordinary purchase I’ll never know. Seems like that would be reasonable. No, they disrupted my entire account. Bad practice. Someone devising this scheme has his hat backwards.

They asked that I notify them in advance if I am going to make an irregular purchase. I have to get permission to use my money? Am I unhappy? You damn well know it!

JACK LANGUILLE