I REFER to the letter by Mr Larry Haverkamp last Wednesday
("Best practices by banks: Three aspects to ponder"), which
mentioned that the only way for consumers to avoid unsolicited
marketing is to opt out and that banks will explain the opt-out
procedure only if asked.
Last Tuesday, after finally losing patience with the unsolicited
marketing calls from banks, which could be as many as three to four
per week, I started sending e-mail to banks expressing my intention
to opt out of such calls. I have to do this with each bank and it
is terribly inconvenient. And it remains to be seen whether the
banks will act on my request.
About two years ago, I was waiting at a bank counter and
overheard a customer telling the counter staff that he wished to
opt out of marketing calls. To my amazement, the staff told the
customer that it was not possible to do so.
I believe banks should look urgently into this issue as such
calls are testing the goodwill of their customers. Banks should put
in place an opt-in procedure for customers who do not mind being
harassed by constant marketing calls.
Mak Yuen Teen