28 March, 2008

How banks sell off your personal details

I'm sure you all have a story of your own on this subject. But it really starts to bother me big time! Over the last years I have been contacted numerous times by telephone sales people on my MOBILE, at any time during day or night and even including weekends. Whenever I complained to these companies' management, I eventually was always informed, that they had received my personal details from my bank! So much for the protection of personal data.Most banks here have a privacy policy, at least theoretically. Such as for example Citibank UAE:
SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATIONThe security of personal information about you is our priority. We protect this information by maintaining physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that meet applicable law. We train our employees in the proper handling of personal information. When we use other companies to provide services for us, we require them to protect the confidentiality of personal information they receive...yeah right. I am sick of my bank selling off my personal data. I think it should be illegal for that matter.

7 comments:

Seabee said...

I would threaten the bank with legal action and change banks.

Dubai Jazz said...

One salesman for a life insurance company telephoned me once to let me on his little secret of this nice life insurance package, he had the audacity to call again less than two days later and say that the policy has been mailed and is on the way, "wtf?" I protested. He said that the he has a RECORD of the first telephone call where I said "yes, I am interested".

You don't wanna know what happened next….

Dubai Jazz said...

And btw Hallodubai, long time no see. Where have you been?

Kyle said...

Over the last years I have been contacted.....during day or night and even including weekends.

You must be a privileged customer. Nobody calls me at night or weekends ;)

www.hallodubai.com said...

dubaijazz....just been busy...but very much around!

B.D. said...

Actually, I don't think one should let the calls get to them. You don't have to talk to these people. Just say "No thank you, good-bye." That takes 2 seconds.

Of course the banks are at fault on this. They hire these salesman and pay them peanuts apart from what they might get on commission. So, of course, the salesmen become quite persistent. But again, it just takes a quick "bye, bye" and the press of a button. No big deal!

I attended an expensive seminar/workshop once and I can't tell you how many dozens of mailings I get from these people trying to sell more seminars at AED 10-15,000 a pop. But it doesn't really matter. I open my PO Box, see the mailings and drop 'em in the garbage. No skin off my back--although it doesn't do much for saving trees.

Anonymous said...

Legal action against whom??? It is a big mafia pal. All banks do the same and what proof do we have or what recourse have we??? This is a materialistic money minded city that goes directly for the jugular. What does Dubai have to offer besides properties built with cheap building material that cannot be sustained in this blistering heat, suffocating humidity and saline atmosphere, malls, malls and more malls offering the same duplicate goods and ripping you off in the same manner and merciless avaricious landlords.
The sooner one leaves the better for one's health, wealth and sanity... God bless.

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