Bank of America (California) mailed me a replacement checking account card, which in their case is used as identification, an ATM card and also a debit payment card.
The accompanying letter stated that this was in case of possible compromised debit card information.
Why is this interesting?
Because I never do debit payments, just BofA-network ATM withdrawals and in-branch visits with that card.
So what really happened?
- they don’t actually know whose account information is compromised and they are casting a wide net
- their ATM network has been compromised
- they are having internal security problems
- or they’re just using “the touch” to shill their “Privacy Assist Premier” credit monitoring product during the phone activation process … $12.99/month after the first free month, but only the free month is mentioned in the phone call …
(Note: I used to do IT consulting for a major bank.)
consumerist: Bank of America Cancels Solo India Traveler’s Debit Card, Shrugs
