Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I was interested in Ken Bell’s letter about the phone call he had, allegedly from the Bank of Scotland, in which the caller started asking for security details before she would divulge what she wanted talk about.
I had an almost identical call from a lady saying she represented the Royal Bank of Scotland. I terminated the call as soon as she refused to give me any details before I had given her the answers to the security questions just what a criminal would need!
I felt this to be a serious enough security issue to make an official complaint to RBS. I also gave them the date and time of the call and asked if they would confirm the lady worked for them.
Some days later I received a phone call allegedly from the customer service department of RBS and despite allegedly seeing my complaint, this person too would not say anything until I had answered the security questions. When I mentioned I had no way of knowing if the caller was actually from RBS he seemed quite puzzled and would not give me any details at all …. without the security answers! I told him to write and not call again.
A few days later I received a letter from Hannah Cushman, from the RBS customer service team. She would not confirm or deny that the lady who called was working for RBS and refused to agree with my complaint as she said it was normal practice for the bank to make calls like this.
Strangely, for a bank employee, she seemed totally unaware of the security implications of answering security questions to someone who might not actually be employed by the bank. That a bank should operate in such an unprofessional manner beggars belief.
I am still mulling over whether I should change my bank but presumably, from Ken’s evidence, RBS is not the only one with this rather warped sense of customer security.
Any banks out there that do not call their customers like this, I would welcome a letter from you … but don’t phone!
(Captain) Ian F. McRae.17 Broomwell Gardens,Monikie.
Established a precedent?
Sir, – Re: “Young motorist not guilty road did not appear to have been gritted that day” (December 5). I was somewhat surprised to read the above report and the outcome. Has this established a precedent? Can we now assume that any incident on “bad” roads can be blamed on the local authorities?
When I and others of my vintage were taught to drive it was instilled in us that, in some circumstances, even 5mph was too fast and the onus was on the driver at all times. When did this change?
Jim Reid.140 Coupar Angus Road,Birkhill.
Frustrating wait in the offing
Sir, – Re: the Forth intelligent transport system. The general public would better understand the term “intelligent transport system” as “traffic lights” with the add-on of variable speed limits.
They will, however, know the new system better in the morning and evening rush hours when all the cars and trucks wait to cross the new bridge and only buses and taxis (some 3% of the total flow) sail across the under-used existing bridge.
I recall Australia’s Sydney Bridge toll keepers stood back while irate drivers sped past the tollbooths whenever they got fed up waiting. Could similar frustration be imported to Fife/Lothian?
Bob Hamilton.55 Halbeath Road,Dunfermline.
Another way to show support
Sir, – At this time of year many people want to show their support for our armed forces serving in Afghanistan by sending Christmas presents.
Whilst these gift parcels are very much appreciated by those serving abroad, this flood of extra mail clogs up the mail pipeline, which is a finite resource, and delays mail from military families getting through. For personnel deployed overseas, personal mail from loved ones is very important.
An alternative is to make a donation to a charity that supports those who are serving and their families.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help is the national charity supporting those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve, and the families of both.
The scope and scale of SSAFA’s work is enormous; in the last 12 months alone, more than 50,000 people were helped by the charity, young and old alike. In Fife this year so far SSAFA Forces Help has dealt with more than 400 cases.
Donations can be made online at ssafa.org.uk or sent to SSAFA Forces Help Fife Branch 48 Hunter Street Kirkcaldy KY1 1ED.
Graham Meacher.Lt Col (Retd).Deputy Chairman,Fife Branch SSAFAForces Help.
Beware bogus collectors
Sir, – I would like to express our sincere thanks to The Courier for running an article (November 21) advising readers about bogus clothing collectors purporting to be acting on behalf of Troop Aid.
There are numerous bogus collectors using Troop Aid charity clothing bags throughout the UK and we would be happy to speak to anyone who would like to check the validity of their bags.
The dedicated helpline phone number is 0121 702 0161 or via email at mandy.haythorne@troopaid.info.
Mandy Haythorne.Troop Aid,Birmingham.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.