The_Wanderlust

I thought it would be great to jot down what I have just experienced and the price i needed to pay so i won't repeat this mistake again. 

It all started with...

1. Receiving a call from bank offering credit card

Consent was made over the phone. I agreed that they sent two to my home address. I got them both in a week time. I didnt intend to use. I was given the cards because they actually offered it. I didnt apply. I kept receiving SMS as a reminder for activation. I did not do that though. 

Until the moment I called for cancellation, they both remained not activated. 

2. Receiving another called from the same bank which offered me credit cards, offering me Insurance protection

This is where everything undesirable happened. Over the phone the telemarketer rushed through terms and conditions and all information they wanted me to know. She spoke so quickly like a bullet train. I was not entirely sure what that was, nonetheless I gave consent. I took up the life insurance policy and has agreed to make monthly payment of RM78.15 using my credit card. (I know this exact amount only when I called to the bank and request for cancellation.)They requested for all outstanding amount to be cleared before they assist for cancellation. THIS IS THE MISTAKE I HAVE DONE WHICH COST ME SO MUCH. 

3. I should have called to cancel my card as soon as I received them. But I procrastinated and wait for the suspension message to come to me to take the move. THIS IS THE SECOND MISTAKE. I naively thought that without activation, my card will not be used. Little did I know that after consent is being given, my card was charged, since last November. My outstanding amount consisted of 3 months life insurance premium (78.15MYR/ month), 2 months late charges (10MYR/month) and a misc fees of RM2.04 incurred due to late payment. I refused to pay but what else can I do? It was all my mistake that I was not attentive enough to all information made known to me, I didnt ask due to the fact that I am afraid of all the hassles. And these are mistakes I committed out of my own laziness. 

ACTION TOOK

I finally made the effort to call after I got triggered by the suspension SMS.

I called the number stated below the SMS and was adviced to call card center directly for cancellation. 

I called to the card center asking for cancellation. The operator stated that before she proceed to do cancellation, I have to clear all my outstanding amount, which means, regardless of what, I need to pay for my negligence before i can eventually shut this issue out of my mind. 

Cancellation process takes merely a minute or two. It is easy. I should have done it ASAP. I paid my price for procrastination. Such a great lesson to learn. 256.49MYR just gone like this. 

I then called to surrender my life insurance policy. Pursuasion was expected but I know I have to be firm. The customer service associate adviced that Surrender Letter has to be sent to them before they could do anything. 

Lesson learnt.

1. Say NO to all random telemarketing calls FIRMLY. Yes, do not feel sorry. 

2. Do not be greedy. Everything comes with a price.

3. Ask if you do not understand. Just ASK. There's nothing to be ashamed of. 

I feel a lot lighter now after having all these trivial matters all sorted out. 

It has been a pretty productive day.