Radio Killed The Credit Card Score

(Many debit cards and credit cards now come with contact-less payment technology. I get at least two calls a day to remove the technology from cards, which the bank can’t do.)

Me: “Hello, welcome to [bank]. My name is [name]. How can I help you today?”

Customer: “I’ve just received my new credit card, and it has that radio frequency payment stuff on it. I don’t want it.”

Me: “Unfortunately, [major credit card company] has made that technology a standard across all cards. We at [bank] have no control over this and cannot remove it. You don’t have to use contact-less payment if you don’t wish to. You can still sign or pin when making pay—”

Customer: “I don’t want it! You’ve got two choices: issue me a card that doesn’t have it, or I’ll chop up the card right now!”

(Note that it has been a very long day at this point: our computer systems have crashed, causing long delays in the call queue. So, having angry customer after angry customer has been taking it’s toll on me.)

Me: “Well, best break out the scissors then.”

Customer: “I’ll close my account!”

Me: “Okay, if I can have your card number, I’ll cancel and close your account now.”

Customer: “Er… umm…” *defeated* “No, I’ll activate the card please. If that’s okay?”