FNB - Bucks – How can we shaft you

<p>Let's try again because I am still not getting responses to my questions.</p> <p>If you are a senior citizen and FNB customer they have probably just shafted you as well.</p> <p>Up until 30th June 2016, all FNB clients who used their FNB credit cards for regular purchases earned eBucks on each purchase and over a period of a year this could amount to a not insignificant sum and benefit. With little warning FNB has now told its clients that they will no longer qualify to earn eBucks unless:</p> <p>1. They have or purchase an expensive smartphone.<br />2. They download the FNB smartphone banking app.<br />3. They log in to the banking app at least once per month.</p> <p>Now I am a senior citizen and have been a Barclays/FNB customer for more than 50 years. I am a pensioner on a fixed income and have no need for a smartphone. I do my banking on the FNB website using a computer with a full size screen, keyboard and mouse. Their banking app does not run on a PC and one has to wonder why they are disqualifying people and trying to force then to use cellphone banking.</p> <p>When I am at home I can be contacted on a land line and, when not, I am most likely to be hiking, on the golf course, shopping, etc., - activities which are not compatible with doing remote banking. I have no need to do internet banking other than by sitting at a desk in front of a computer at my home.</p> <p>In their anxiety to be “first” and hip with new technology, FNB has blatantly ignored the fact that as one ages one's faculties usually deteriorate to some degree, particularly eyesight and hearing loss. So a smartphone with a miniscule screen and poor acoustics is useless to me. I cannot hear very well on any smartphone as it does not fit over the ear to cut out ambient background noise, the small characters on a phone or tablet screen are difficult to decipher and trying to type with sausages on a virtual keyboard is pitiable. I know this as I have tried to use the smartphones and tablets of other members of the family.</p> <p>I raised these issues with FNB and the “How can we help you” fellows. They initially ignored my repeated formal requests for information and “did not help me” for a full three weeks and then only to be coldly told to basically go and get knotted. This was their response:</p> <p>“Please be advised that in order for you to earn eBucks as of the 1st of July 2016 you are required to log in to the FNB Banking App at least once a month, using your own banking profile as one of the earn criterias. Should you not meet the earn criteria, your eBucks will not be allocated on a monthly basis for your total swipe purchases.”</p> <p>They even had the cheek to be condescending about it, telling me:</p> <p>“we are aware that some of our members may have difficulty and may be hesitant in using digital platforms.”</p> <p>Well %$&f you mate. You may just as well have called me a “stupid old ****” who does not understand technology. Unfortunately you said that about someone who has been developing, programming and maintaining computer and digital communication systems since 1969 and who knows more about “digital platforms” that you ever will.</p> <p>It is clear that FNB don't give a **** about the real needs of many of its customers and is trying to force them to waste money on expensive smartphones or tablets, because yes, if you cannot afford one then they are happy to give you a loan to buy one – assuming pensioners qualify. Thanks but no thanks.</p> <p>So I still have some unanswered questions for FNB.</p> <p>Question 1</p> <p>FNB claims, “The banking app is easier to use than the current online banking and is more user friendly ...”.</p> <p>Really? How can someone with XL hands (me) find using a device with a cramped tiny screen and miniscule virtual keyboard to be easier than sitting at a desk with a full size screen, keyboard and mouse?</p> <p>Question 2</p> <p>FNB claims, “Your internet banking profile can be accessed by any pc or device that has internet capabilities and if as third party gets hold of you (sic) credentials they will be able to access your profile, however you (sic) app is registered only on your cell phone and a ********** party will have to get hold of you phone first then be able to access your profile.”</p> <p>Hey FNB, that is one of the most ridiculous, fatuous and nonsensical motivations I have heard in a long time. Tell me FNB, does carrying a smartphome not make one a ripe target for *********? Is it easier for a ***** to get hold of a smartphone carried around on one's person (a plumb target) or a PC locked up at home behind an electric fence and an alarm? On what information do you base your claims that cellphone banking is more secure then home PC banking?<br /> <br />Question 3</p> <p>Why is this new “App” not also available to be run on a PC or laptop?</p> <p>What difference does it make as to what device is used to log in to do internet banking? Don't your IT people have the s****s to develop a PC equivalent program? Perhaps I can help you.</p> <p>Question 4</p> <p>Are FNB banking services only for the elite, wealthier sections of the community who can afford bling expensive trinkets like smartphones and tablets?</p> <p>Question 5</p> <p>Is the FNB banking app limited to certain smartphones/tablets? Does ti even work?</p> <p>As a matter of interest I asked a friend to download the FNB app on to his Windows 10 tablet. All manner of error messages and denials was the response and we were unable to do so. <br />Is FNB going to be doing anything to cater for these clients?</p> <p><br />I will be interested to know the answers but I am not holding my breath.</p> <p>“How can we help you”?</p> <p>PAH!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>