Bizarre Problem with Post Office credit card

Onawingandaprayer

Having a bizarre problem with my new Post Office Credit Card. Received the card, received the PIN, received the six digit security number, but unable to activate or set up online account.

Have failed security three times on phone, and numerous times on-line. The reason apparently - as I found out on my 3rd call - is that on the application form, I put down my mother's middle name, not her maiden name. (seems unlikely, but I'm not in a position to argue.)

Seems to be no way to put things right. Was told to WRITE to 'Clerical' at Post Office Cards in London. Have done so, but no response. Problem is all calls made to their Call Centre in Ireland whilst correspondence is with PO Box in London. Strange set-up.

Not expecting anyone to come up with any bright ideas really, just wondered if this rings any bells with anyone. Very close to cutting it up and returning it, but it's a 27 month 0% deal, dammit.

[Deleted User]

That all seems to be fairly standard for the Post Office.

callum9999

Onawingandaprayer wrote: »

Having a bizarre problem with my new Post Office Credit Card. Received the card, received the PIN, received the six digit security number, but unable to activate or set up online account.

Have failed security three times on phone, and numerous times on-line. The reason apparently - as I found out on my 3rd call - is that on the application form, I put down my mother's middle name, not her maiden name. (seems unlikely, but I'm not in a position to argue.)

Seems to be no way to put things right. Was told to WRITE to 'Clerical' at Post Office Cards in London. Have done so, but no response. Problem is all calls made to their Call Centre in Ireland whilst correspondence is with PO Box in London. Strange set-up.

Not expecting anyone to come up with any bright ideas really, just wondered if this rings any bells with anyone. Very close to cutting it up and returning it, but it's a 27 month 0% deal, dammit.

How else would they know your mother's middle name? Though I can't see what the issue is, when they ask for the maiden name give them the middle name - it only has to match, not be correct.

Unless all this is just to reactivate your account?

Onawingandaprayer

callum9999 wrote: »

How else would they know your mother's middle name? Though I can't see what the issue is, when they ask for the maiden name give them the middle name - it only has to match, not be correct.

Unless all this is just to reactivate your account?

Not that simple, unfortunately. On first 2 calls to activate the card all they would tell me was I'd failed security (dob and mother's maiden name) Couldn't imagine I'd get either of those wrong! Advised me to write, as I said. On 3rd call I finally got somebody vaguely helpful who after more probing told me where my answers failed. ie mother's middle name, not surname. But by that time I'd written as advised to 'Clerical' so she couldn't update/correct anything.

And so I wait. My own fault, I guess, though it's seems a bit weird that I'd put my mother's middle name in the application if I wasn't asked for it... but stranger things have happened I guess...

bigadaj

More probably your fault for choosing post office, innumerable threads on her complaining about their service levels and processes.

Onawingandaprayer

bigadaj wrote: »

More probably your fault for choosing post office, innumerable threads on her complaining about their service levels and processes.

Guess you're right, though being a long-established Rate Tart I've milked most of the others!

callum9999

Onawingandaprayer wrote: »

Not that simple, unfortunately. On first 2 calls to activate the card all they would tell me was I'd failed security (dob and mother's maiden name) Couldn't imagine I'd get either of those wrong! Advised me to write, as I said. On 3rd call I finally got somebody vaguely helpful who after more probing told me where my answers failed. ie mother's middle name, not surname. But by that time I'd written as advised to 'Clerical' so she couldn't update/correct anything.

And so I wait. My own fault, I guess, though it's seems a bit weird that I'd put my mother's middle name in the application if I wasn't asked for it... but stranger things have happened I guess...

I don't know if you're just venting instead of wanting help, but I still don't have any idea what the problem actually is! What have you written to "Clerical" about? Are they saying they cannot activate the card or that they cannot update/correct anything? Because I wouldn't even bother updating the security question - when they ask for your mother's maiden name just give her middle name!

It seems even weirder that the bank would know your mother's middle name if you hadn't told them!

sleepymans

Id advise you to go through their complaints process, as shown on their web page. I had a tiny issue with the spelling of my middle name....they quickly apologised, put it right and popped a sweet £50 into my account. Satisfied.

Onawingandaprayer

sleepymans wrote: »

Id advise you to go through their complaints process, as shown on their web page. I had a tiny issue with the spelling of my middle name....they quickly apologised, put it right and popped a sweet £50 into my account. Satisfied.

A helpful reply. Thanks!

Onawingandaprayer

Onawingandaprayer wrote: »

Not expecting anyone to come up with any bright ideas really, just wondered if this rings any bells with anyone. Very close to cutting it up and returning it, but it's a 27 month 0% deal, dammit.

Maybe a clue, Calum9999, in my original post. Can't really see the point in spelling it out again, as you're clearly just feeling snippy - funny how some people on these forums are so helpful and yet some...

Smodlet

Almost the same thing happened to me with the same card. Turned out the PO/BoI had input my mother's maiden name incorrectly so, when I spelt it right it was never going to match. One phone call fixed the problem as they were able to amend the spelling so that it now does match but I found their website less than easy to navigate. In fairness to the PO/Bank of Ireland who administer it, I am technically challenged.

And I completely agree with you about less-than-helpful posters; is it just that they are in season or should we report that they need spraying with trollicide?