Comments on: Bank of Montreal, I hate your security http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/ A miscellany of know-it-all-isms by Geoff Sowrey Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:27:17 +0000 hourly 1 By: Former BMO User http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-18527 Former BMO User Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:34:26 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-18527 I stopped using my BMO Mastercard two years ago, after having used them almost exclusively for over 20 years. I refuse to pay annual fees to use a credit card, and my "airmiles" benefit of one mile for every $40 spent was a joke. They also started the practice of charging me interest for late payments. It's funny how whenever I put through payments on the due date, it somehow gets to them several days later. However, if I put a payment through several days earlier than the due date, they ALWAYS go through the same day it was authorized. Nothing changed at my bank as they suggested, and all the other online payments I make are received on the date I authorized. For several months, I called to complain about the interest charges, which take two months to clear. They always told me "we'll reverse the charges for you this time as a goodwill gesture ..." I also questioned them how it was goodwill on their part when they've screwed me again and I have to yet again waste me time to clear the account. Also, they used to give a day or two of grace if you had missed a payment. But, now if you're a minute late, you're getting charged back to when you used your card to make the purchase, then an additional charge the next month to clear up the balance they've attributed to you. Anyhow, I've switched to AMEX and am very happy with them and their rewards programs. I get a cash rebate and they are very consistent with the same due date and end billing date each month, unlike MasterCard. Access on the internet is also much easier. I hope everyone cancels their Mastercard. I stopped using my BMO Mastercard two years ago, after having used them almost exclusively for over 20 years. I refuse to pay annual fees to use a credit card, and my “airmiles” benefit of one mile for every $40 spent was a joke.

They also started the practice of charging me interest for late payments. It’s funny how whenever I put through payments on the due date, it somehow gets to them several days later. However, if I put a payment through several days earlier than the due date, they ALWAYS go through the same day it was authorized. Nothing changed at my bank as they suggested, and all the other online payments I make are received on the date I authorized. For several months, I called to complain about the interest charges, which take two months to clear. They always told me “we’ll reverse the charges for you this time as a goodwill gesture …” I also questioned them how it was goodwill on their part when they’ve screwed me again and I have to yet again waste me time to clear the account. Also, they used to give a day or two of grace if you had missed a payment. But, now if you’re a minute late, you’re getting charged back to when you used your card to make the purchase, then an additional charge the next month to clear up the balance they’ve attributed to you.

Anyhow, I’ve switched to AMEX and am very happy with them and their rewards programs. I get a cash rebate and they are very consistent with the same due date and end billing date each month, unlike MasterCard. Access on the internet is also much easier. I hope everyone cancels their Mastercard.

]]> By: BOO-BMO http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-15238 BOO-BMO Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:16:07 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-15238 Geoff, Sign me the f**k up for your tour of BMO HATE!!! Someone phished me this week (it was a doozy!) and eventhough BMO called me first, I still had to leave work to physically go to a bloody branch and fill out some goddamned form. And then, NOTHING!!! I spent an entire day calling and got shipped around. Yelled at a few people and hung up on almost everyone for being idiots. Apparently, you have to deal with the branch that initiated the issue. SUPER! My home branch is on the other side of the effing country! With a fantastic timezone difference - try doing this on a Friday where I found out I have $0s in the bank. 3 days and they haven't sorted this yet. And Mastercard?! BMO MASTERCARD IS A JOKE. I have been a faithful customer for over 15 years and this is how they treat me? FUCK YOU BMO, I'm gone. Geoff,
Sign me the f**k up for your tour of BMO HATE!!! Someone phished me this week (it was a doozy!) and eventhough BMO called me first, I still had to leave work to physically go to a bloody branch and fill out some goddamned form. And then, NOTHING!!! I spent an entire day calling and got shipped around. Yelled at a few people and hung up on almost everyone for being idiots. Apparently, you have to deal with the branch that initiated the issue. SUPER! My home branch is on the other side of the effing country! With a fantastic timezone difference – try doing this on a Friday where I found out I have $0s in the bank. 3 days and they haven’t sorted this yet. And Mastercard?! BMO MASTERCARD IS A JOKE. I have been a faithful customer for over 15 years and this is how they treat me? FUCK YOU BMO, I’m gone.

]]> By: Helen http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-13520 Helen Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:53:27 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-13520 Yes, I hate BMO. I only have my mortgage there together with a house line of credit. The mortgage payments are auto paid from my account with another bank. Their website always said your password is wrong. When you call, they asked difficult questions after verifying your ID. As you don't have access to your accounts online and you seldom use the bank account, how will you remember your last transaction amount and name 3 payees of your telephone banking if you stopped using it for almost 10 years. Then they asked you to go to a branch to verify your ID again and asked you to come back home to call their Customer Service again. This is the only bank which I have encountered so many problems and inconveniences in forgetting a password. The one who designed the questiosn have to be fired! Also, something must be wrong with their login as so many of us encountered this problem even though we put in the correct password. There is another problem if you are using a different computer (house or office or a laptop). So annoying. I went to the branch to verify myself one time and the teller called their own customer service for me and got asked the same questions too. Even him had dififcult in answering all these super difficult questions when he has all my account details in front of him. Took me almost 1/2 hour there as it took him 10 minutes to wait to get to speak to a live person and then another 15 minutes to answer those questions coming out of nowhere. This time I went to the branch to verify myself after one month and I still have to call to get a password. I'm still not ready to call ......as I have to get everything together ... your credit limit, your last payment, etc. and I have no clue at all on my payee list as I have moved which means city of hydro change, gas bills, telephone etc. How can I retrieve those and answer them right again????????????????????? I asked the Customer Service where I could complain to and was told "Customer Service". Isn't it dummbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb Yes, I hate BMO. I only have my mortgage there together with a house line of credit. The mortgage payments are auto paid from my account with another bank. Their website always said your password is wrong. When you call, they asked difficult questions after verifying your ID. As you don’t have access to your accounts online and you seldom use the bank account, how will you remember your last transaction amount and name 3 payees of your telephone banking if you stopped using it for almost 10 years. Then they asked you to go to a branch to verify your ID again and asked you to come back home to call their Customer Service again. This is the only bank which I have encountered so many problems and inconveniences in forgetting a password. The one who designed the questiosn have to be fired! Also, something must be wrong with their login as so many of us encountered this problem even though we put in the correct password. There is another problem if you are using a different computer (house or office or a laptop). So annoying. I went to the branch to verify myself one time and the teller called their own customer service for me and got asked the same questions too. Even him had dififcult in answering all these super difficult questions when he has all my account details in front of him. Took me almost 1/2 hour there as it took him 10 minutes to wait to get to speak to a live person and then another 15 minutes to answer those questions coming out of nowhere. This time I went to the branch to verify myself after one month and I still have to call to get a password. I’m still not ready to call ……as I have to get everything together … your credit limit, your last payment, etc. and I have no clue at all on my payee list as I have moved which means city of hydro change, gas bills, telephone etc. How can I retrieve those and answer them right again????????????????????? I asked the Customer Service where I could complain to and was told “Customer Service”. Isn’t it dummbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-7412 Geoff Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:11:20 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-7412 Sly point, Gasolene. I would prefer not to label myself as either "ignorant" or "irresponsible", as I'm usually very careful about access to my accounts. Instead, I would prefer that BMO consider other alternatives for identifying a specific person, especially when there is no possibility of them going into a specific branch to identify themselves. Sly point, Gasolene. I would prefer not to label myself as either “ignorant” or “irresponsible”, as I’m usually very careful about access to my accounts. Instead, I would prefer that BMO consider other alternatives for identifying a specific person, especially when there is no possibility of them going into a specific branch to identify themselves.

]]> By: Gasolene http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-7346 Gasolene Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:07:57 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-7346 Wow... I agree with you, BMO should compromise the security of other customers to avoid inconveniencing ignorant and irresponsible customers. You don't know (or even want to know) your mortgage payment? Wow…

I agree with you, BMO should compromise the security of other customers to avoid inconveniencing ignorant and irresponsible customers.

You don’t know (or even want to know) your mortgage payment?

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-6916 Geoff Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:34:21 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-6916 Hey Screwed, My sympathies, man. Yours definitely outdoes mine. That's a rather crappy situation, and unless you have someone on the other end who can help you out, I'm not sure what else you could do. I take it BMO's <sarcasm>ever so helpful</sarcasm> Direct Banking is of no help, eh? Hey Screwed,

My sympathies, man. Yours definitely outdoes mine. That’s a rather crappy situation, and unless you have someone on the other end who can help you out, I’m not sure what else you could do. I take it BMO’s <sarcasm>ever so helpful</sarcasm> Direct Banking is of no help, eh?

]]> By: Screwed in China http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-6904 Screwed in China Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:37:18 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-6904 Well, I think my story takes the cake. Try going travelling abroad to a far-away place, like....China, and having BMO cancel your bank card without telling you. They explained it's because they've been sending out new "chipped" bank cards which I have not activated yet. Well, they deem it necessary to cancel my current bank card when I haven't activated my new one. That is one policy which really is a work of genius. Meanwhile, I'm stuck in a foreign land with no access to my account. When I finally got them on the phone and had my account re-opened (which only lasts for 30 days until I activate my new card, another brilliant policy), my fucking pin doesn't work! I tried it too many times so that my account gets locked up again. So, back on the phone for long distance. Long story short, and two more phone calls later, they can't give me any better advice than to try my original pin code. The agent, who was really at a loss when I asked her what else I could do because I'm fucking without money abroad, told me to try and set a pin for my credit card, a pin which cannot be given to me over the phone and must be mailed to my address in Canada whereupon I must call a family member to find out what it is. To top it off, they have a branch where I am in Guangzhou and they told me that they do not dispense cash to account holders! Totally, fucking useless. Talk about a catastrophic failure at making use of technology. In retrospect, I cannot fathom how I could have prevented this. Well, I think my story takes the cake. Try going travelling abroad to a far-away place, like….China, and having BMO cancel your bank card without telling you. They explained it’s because they’ve been sending out new “chipped” bank cards which I have not activated yet. Well, they deem it necessary to cancel my current bank card when I haven’t activated my new one. That is one policy which really is a work of genius. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a foreign land with no access to my account. When I finally got them on the phone and had my account re-opened (which only lasts for 30 days until I activate my new card, another brilliant policy), my fucking pin doesn’t work! I tried it too many times so that my account gets locked up again. So, back on the phone for long distance. Long story short, and two more phone calls later, they can’t give me any better advice than to try my original pin code. The agent, who was really at a loss when I asked her what else I could do because I’m fucking without money abroad, told me to try and set a pin for my credit card, a pin which cannot be given to me over the phone and must be mailed to my address in Canada whereupon I must call a family member to find out what it is.
To top it off, they have a branch where I am in Guangzhou and they told me that they do not dispense cash to account holders!
Totally, fucking useless. Talk about a catastrophic failure at making use of technology. In retrospect, I cannot fathom how I could have prevented this.

]]> By: Do you put too much faith in technology? at Experience Matters http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-4574 Do you put too much faith in technology? at Experience Matters Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:00:41 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-4574 [...] in my personal sphere. At the time, I passed them off as mere inconveniences — although I ranted quite loudly (warning, objectionable language) on one of them. But it was only when I stopped and took a step [...] [...] in my personal sphere. At the time, I passed them off as mere inconveniences — although I ranted quite loudly (warning, objectionable language) on one of them. But it was only when I stopped and took a step [...]

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3640 Geoff Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:29:28 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3640 RBS has a branch in the USA? Weird... never thought that would extend out of, y'know, SCOTLAND. Is there money in the ATM on the closed lane? Just wondering if they decided that maybe the cost of running the ATM wasn't worth having it, and shut it down as a test. If there's money still in the thing, though, really begins to make you wonder... I'm also wondering what a "cash option" is. You received a cheque -- something used to represent cash -- to take to a bank, and they can't turn it into cash? There are some really bizarre arcane rules in banks that just make me wonder sometimes. RBS has a branch in the USA? Weird… never thought that would extend out of, y’know, SCOTLAND.

Is there money in the ATM on the closed lane? Just wondering if they decided that maybe the cost of running the ATM wasn’t worth having it, and shut it down as a test. If there’s money still in the thing, though, really begins to make you wonder…

I’m also wondering what a “cash option” is. You received a cheque — something used to represent cash — to take to a bank, and they can’t turn it into cash? There are some really bizarre arcane rules in banks that just make me wonder sometimes.

]]> By: Karen http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3629 Karen Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:55:56 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3629 You should be doing business with the Royal Bank of Scotland (AKA Citizen's Bank here in the States...... our local branch ATM's first screen is in Spanish..... EXCUSE ME.... this is English country or used to be. Did I happen to mention that the lane approaching the ATM has had a "CLOSED" amber light glowing for the last 3 months???? ATM works fine. Today was a new experience..... received a check from a large health care provider drawn on JP Morgan Chase..... went to a branch of that bank, provided endorsed check and ID and was told that they could not cash check because health care company had not signed a "cash" option. Isn't it fun in the 21st century???!!***...... am glad to see that you young people are frustrated as well as we seniors!! You should be doing business with the Royal Bank of Scotland (AKA Citizen’s Bank here in the States…… our local branch ATM’s first screen is in Spanish….. EXCUSE ME…. this is English country or used to be. Did I happen to mention that the lane approaching the ATM has had a “CLOSED” amber light glowing for the last 3 months???? ATM works fine. Today was a new experience….. received a check from a large health care provider drawn on JP Morgan Chase….. went to a branch of that bank, provided endorsed check and ID and was told that they could not cash check because health care company had not signed a “cash” option. Isn’t it fun in the 21st century???!!***…… am glad to see that you young people are frustrated as well as we seniors!!

]]> By: Cath http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3625 Cath Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:54:20 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3625 Certainly hope you've changed your PIN now! Certainly hope you’ve changed your PIN now!

]]> By: Scott http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3624 Scott Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:31:57 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3624 I hear they are shortening their name to BM. Sorry for the potty humour, I couldn't resist. I hear they are shortening their name to BM. Sorry for the potty humour, I couldn’t resist.

]]> By: Linda http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3622 Linda Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:01:10 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3622 When I was in Calgary last week I read in the paper where BMO was opening on Sundays in Calgary - that is more than it does down here!! When I was in Calgary last week I read in the paper where BMO was opening on Sundays in Calgary – that is more than it does down here!!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3621 Geoff Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:02:42 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3621 Okay, just got back from another BMO branch, having chatted with Jason — the same wonderfully helpful person who helped us buy our house. He alluded to the fact that the Bank of Montreal has had a lot of fraud problems lately, so this is their response. To treat customers like thieves, and force them into the branches. (It happened to Jason, as well, for the record.) Anyway, got my account unlocked, but was chewed out (!) by the clerk on the phone as I’d given Jason my pin so he could access my account. HE WORKS FOR THE FREAKING BANK, YOU MORON. I hate stupid people. Okay, just got back from another BMO branch, having chatted with Jason — the same wonderfully helpful person who helped us buy our house. He alluded to the fact that the Bank of Montreal has had a lot of fraud problems lately, so this is their response.

To treat customers like thieves, and force them into the branches. (It happened to Jason, as well, for the record.)

Anyway, got my account unlocked, but was chewed out (!) by the clerk on the phone as I’d given Jason my pin so he could access my account. HE WORKS FOR THE FREAKING BANK, YOU MORON.

I hate stupid people.

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3619 Geoff Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:47:32 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3619 So I just went to the BMO nearest to my office. One I was assured would be open. Got there at 5:30. The sign on the door read: Closed 5 to 6. Sorry for the inconvenience. Argh. So I just went to the BMO nearest to my office. One I was assured would be open. Got there at 5:30. The sign on the door read:

Closed 5 to 6. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Argh.

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3618 Geoff Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:23:21 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3618 Augh... in all my anger, I forgot to mention the rest. I now need to physically walk to a BMO branch (one that doesn't close at 5pm -- not easy to come by, I'll add!) and have them personally identify me as me, so I can get access to my account again. Augh… in all my anger, I forgot to mention the rest.

I now need to physically walk to a BMO branch (one that doesn’t close at 5pm — not easy to come by, I’ll add!) and have them personally identify me as me, so I can get access to my account again.

]]> By: Cath http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3617 Cath Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:59:21 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/2007/11/14/bank-of-montreal-i-hate-your-security/#comment-3617 So I'm interested in the end result? Or did you hang up? So I’m interested in the end result? Or did you hang up?

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