C
Cao Pi
Guest
Saturday November 20, 2010
Cashier in a fix over credit cards
KUALA LUMPUR: A cashier’s hopes of securing gold credit cards from two international banks were dashed when she instead received demands to settle outstanding payments totalling more than RM19,000. Hew Siew Fong, 43, applied for the credits cards at a shopping complex in March 2009 but did not receive any. “I was shocked when I saw the banks’ notices for payment, so I immediately called them to say that I had not received any cards from them,” Hew told a press conference chaired by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong.
Unknown debts: Chong (right) with Hew showing the bank notices and police report at the MCA Public Complaints Department yesterday.
The banks replied that they had sent the cards through the post to her address. “I had told one of the banks earlier that I would collect the card in person when an officer from the bank called to confirm some particulars with me.
“I don’t understand why they sent it through the post,” said a distressed Hew, who received notices to pay RM5,722.16 and RM13,698.11 respectively from the two banks. However, one of the banks cleared Hew of all the credit card charges and also apologised to her upon investigating the matter. But they failed to offer her any explanation over the matter.
The second bank sent her a legal notice on Nov 1, insisting that she clears her outstanding payment. “The bank told me that I had activated the card through my phone, but on that day my phone was barred. “I had even lodged a complaint with the service provider,” said Hew, adding that she was sure someone else must have activated her card.
Datuk Michael Chong, expressing disappointment over the second bank’s approach, said: “We will try to provide Hew with legal advice, but I hope that the bank will try to avoid taking the case to court.” Chong urged the public to apply for credits cards directly through the issuing banks and to collect them personally to avoid being cheated.
