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