A reader writes in to share his traumatic experience with a Chase telemarketer who first tried to sneak a sale into the one-way conversation, then launched into scare tactics like asking, “What are you going to do when someone steals your identity?” R. writes, “I feel like I need protection from Chase’s employees.”

Earlier today I got a call from a Chase telemarketer.  He called to inform me about a great Fraud Protection service.  The caller vaguely described what was covered over the next minute as he read his prepared script.  Toward the end of the script, he said that Chase would be sending an informational brochure and that I would have the opportunity to review the information with my family before I proceeded with the purchase of the Fraud Protection service.
 
At this point, I initiated the end of the conversation by saying: “I’ll review the materials when it comes in the mail”.
 
Chase telemarketer mumbled: “Ok, I’ll charge you $7 and ship the information out to [Address]”.
 
I cut him off mid sentence and asked him to repeat and clarify to make sure what just happened.  He indeed signed me up without my permission.
 
I proceeded to tell him “NO” in a strong and firm voice.  “I did not agree to pay anything, I did not agree for any service”.
 
I politely requested that he send me the information, and not sign me up for the fraud protection.
 
At this point, I was about to hang up the phone when he came back with “Mr. XXXX, don’t you know that some one’s identity is stolen every 4 minutes”
 
I replied, “No, I don’t want the service”
 
Chase telemarketer rudely cuts me off: “but Mr.  XXXX, what are you going to do when someone steals your identity?”
 
“No, Didn’t you hear me?”
 
Chase telemarketer cuts me off again, “but you arent safe….”
 
I slam the phone down.
 
You just lost another customer Chase.
 
Now I have to call back and make sure that he didn’t sign me up.  I feel like I need protection from Chase’s employees from stealing my identity rather than some stranger who might steal my credit card or something to that effect.

(Photo: jebb)

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