[Platapus]

I decided to authenticate my card one more time. This time I got a different person and surprise was told something different.

Evidently they need to send me a text. Now not only does not everyone have a cell phone in the US, even less have some sort of smart phone. I don't. I have a Jitterbug that stays in my car all the time.

This guy did not mention the option of going to another bank and have them verify my ID, but did want me to scan my driver's license and send it to them. I once again, politely declined saying that I do not feel comfortable scanning a government ID and sending to anyone over the internet.

Bottom line was that it appear to actually be no way this company would allow me to register my new credit card unless I had a smart phone. Now I know that I am behind the times, but I can't believe that it is reasonable to expect all of their customers to have smart phones.

So I asked the person to close out the account since I can't activate the card. Now, I know exactly what this man was doing. He hit a button on his customer support page and a standard script came up that he is required to read. The fact that he had to read this for a credit card that not only was never used, but could never be used was amusing.

But he was just doing his job, so there was no reason to be rude to him. But my Inner dialogue......

"Sir, do you understand that after we close out the account, you will not be able to use this card?"

"yes" (thinking) I was not able to use the card in the first place because your company wouldn't allow me to activate it!

"Any charges or outstanding balances will still need to be paid"

"yes" (thinking) How could there possibly be any charges or outstanding balances when the account has never been activated?

Any repeating charges put on this card will be declined after the account is closed"

"yes" (thinking) Kinda tough to start repeating charges when I can't even make one charge because your company won't allow me to activate my card!!

"You will need to redeem any rewards from this card before it is closed"

"Yes" (thinking) What rewards would those be? I can't use your card, that's why I am closing the account!!

"Any rewards that have not been redeemed when the account is closed will be lost"

"yes" (thinking) Go ahead, take all those rewards. That will teach me a good life lesson.

"Are you sure you want to close the account at this time?"

"Yes" (thinking) Why not, it is of no use to me. YOU are not letting me use this account!!!!

"OK, the account is now closed, please do not use this card for any new charges and destroy it"

"yes" (thinking) If I could use the card, I would not be closing the account, now would I??

"You should get your final statement with any final balance due in the mail in 10-15 days"

"Yes" (thinking) final statement? There has not even been a first statement because the account has never been active. But you are mailing me a statement??

"Have a good day"

Yes, you too"

Sigh (thinking) sigh

So I did some more research and applied for a credit card from another company. I hope this company allows me to activate my card.