When did having Cell phones become mandatory in the USA???

[Platapus]

I decided to change credit card companies. My old credit card was an airline frequent flyer card and not only do I not fly but the deal kept getting worse and worse over the years. I decided to move to a credit card with a straight simple cash back. I have excellent credit so there was no problem getting the card issued.




Activation on the other hand...


I have had credit cards for almost 40 years. Activating the card was simply calling a number, entering the card number and then being transferred to a sales person who will then try to sell me stuff. Pretty standard stuff.



I called today to activate my new card and I was transferred to a person. Expecting a sales pitch, I was surprised. They needed my cell phone number. I don't use my cell phone for anything. I don't even know what my cell phone number is and I never carry it. The last thing I want to do is give my cell phone number out to a company. It will be ringing all day with telemarketers.



Evidently, I am the only person who does not use a cell phone in the entire USA. I asked the person if there was another way I can activate my card. I was told I could scan both sides of my driver's license and send it to them. I politely, and respectfully told them there was no way I was going to send any company scanned copies of any of my government issued identification over the internet.



I told the person that if there is no way to activate my card, I would have to cancel my account and find another company that will allow me to activate the card. I am thinking to myself that I am doing them a favor in agreeing to be their customer. I don't need them, they need customers like me.


After some time, he told me that I could physically go to a bank, call them to activate the card and the bank would vouch for me.


Yikes, when did it become hard to activate a simple credit card??


My issue is that if I go into a bank and ask them to help me activate this card, they will try to sell me their credit card instead. I am really getting tired of everyone trying to sell me stuff!



Crikey, all I want to do is activate a credit card. I am I truly the only person in the US who does not use a cell phone?


Have other people had this issue or is this something specific to this one company I am dealing with?