Automated Calls

I am not a fan of automated phone calls. Who is? You answer the phone and an automated voice tries to sell you something – be it a politician, an insurance policy, or a newspaper.

For three weeks now, I’ve been receiving the same automated phone call. It always starts mid-message, so I never heard from whom the call came. It would begin in the middle of a phone number, then would repeat the phone number, and then would explain that this was not a sales call and they looked forward to speaking to me. Well, the feeling was not mutual.

I chose not to return a call from a disembodied voice, especially if I had no idea on whose behalf that voice beckoned. Finally, after 21 calls, the message played in its entirety. It was my bank.

So, today I called the 800 number I’d heard for weeks, only to be connected to another automated voice.  It said my checking account was in overdraft and I needed to make a deposit.  Imagine my surprise – I was unaware I even had a checking account at that bank!

So I called the bank’s main phone number - another 800 number.  It was, of course, an automated phone system and none of the choices applied to me.  I started pushing random numbers, which merely led me to the next automated direction. I finally pushed the number that meant my ATM card was stolen. I thought that would be the most likely way to be connected to a human being. At this point, I needed to talk to someone that could a. calm me down, and b. well, I just really wanted someone to calm me down.

When I finally reached a real live woman, whom I’ll call “Stacy” (because that’s her name), I explained my frustration. A Spirited Woman knows when she’s down to her last nerve. But she doesn’t take it out on innocent bystanders. She takes a deep breath, remains polite, and speaks to others with respect. And Stacy was a huge help.

It turned out that when I opened my savings account, unbeknownst to me, they also opened a checking account in my name. Since I was unaware of its existence, I never deposited any money. As the monthly charges accrued, I was plunged into overdraft hell.

I think we solved the problem. And I sure hope they removed me from their automated phone call system. If not, it won’t be the end of the world. But it will be the end of my relationship with that bank. And, sadly, with Stacy.

- Monica Regal
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Comments

[Shanikwa Anderson]

A person whom I'll call Shanikwa thinks automated calls, your bank, and Stacy should all kiss her
black _ _ _ . . . . Anyway, girlfriend, blog on! MmmHmmm . . . T.Y.