Smile Credit Card - I'm not smiling!

JadeLD

I just got my new smile credit card through, it's taken quite a while for the application. I had to activate it online and couldn't remember what my security code was. So I called them, they were so rude to me and I got about a 20min lecture on the importance of protecting against fraud.

I understand what they are saying but I applied for this a few weeks ago and didn't expect to get it as I didn't get the Abbey Zero card. I can't even remember being asked for one. I thought it would be a matter of resetting it but it seems to be quite an issue for the bank. They evetnually said I could answer all the security questions - about 8 questions, all of which I got right. After I reset it the guy then repeated everything he had said.

I understand the point and I'm not usually that sensitive about stuff like this but he was really rude about it. It makes me want to cancel the card - I don't really need it, just liked the idea of cashback on my shopping.

Anyone else had any experiences with their call centre or was I just unlucky?

chris-j

Complain to Smile - They are regularly rated number 1 or 2 for customer service. While they are correct about security, banks are well aware that their security techniques are lacklustre at best with them all using similar techniques. With people having so many numbers and passwords to remember they should be helping customers.
Personally if my bank or credit card company phones me and asks for security I decline the call.
Of the 8 questions you had to answer, how many of these could another person be aware of answers to if they had a reasonable amount of knowledge about you. Chances are at least 75% of them could be found out pretty quickly by anyone.
Bank security if basically crap and they should not treat customers badly.

JadeLD

Thanks for the Chris-j, I might complain to them this week - calmed down a bit now though!
Going to keep the card cause of the cashback

realaledrinker

Actually smile have 5 pieces of security info.

By your own admission, you were somewhat lax regarding security. smile are an on line bank therefore security is paramount. I would rather my bank was over sensitive in this regard than run the risk being the subject of fraud.

JadeLD

They asked me more than 5 questions, I agree that the issue of security is important but I believe that the man was particularly rude to me. I wasn't particulrly lax with the security and didn't let anyone else know my detail. The guy actually suggest I record them better in future which is surely not a very safe idea! I have had to resent passwords with banks before and had no problem, which Smile eventually managed to do. I do understand the imporance of security but these things must happen all the time and it was more the way the guys spoke to me that botherd me.

No_6

He was just !!!!ed off with peeps getting things wrong
and having a bad day.

Like I had today

6