Comments on: Canceling Privacy Assist and Asshole Tactics http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/ Developer · UX Designer · Author Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:52:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-5790 Josh Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:46:37 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-5790 Though this seems to have become the most popular blog post on the subject, I still see plenty of recent reports of the same old tactic around the web. More than likely, the lady you spoke to was new and was either indoctrinated into the hard retention/up-sell mindset or lost her job due to poor numbers. I'm just a tad bit hard-headed, so sparks tend to fly when I not only receive poor customer service but am actively blocked from firing a service. That just won't fly with me. Though this seems to have become the most popular blog post on the subject, I still see plenty of recent reports of the same old tactic around the web. More than likely, the lady you spoke to was new and was either indoctrinated into the hard retention/up-sell mindset or lost her job due to poor numbers.

I’m just a tad bit hard-headed, so sparks tend to fly when I not only receive poor customer service but am actively blocked from firing a service. That just won’t fly with me.

]]> By: Aimee Giles http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-5789 Aimee Giles Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:06:40 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-5789 OMG! I am so glad to read these accounts, I was going to sign up, not now! ----- thanks for the 411! :) OMG! I am so glad to read these accounts, I was going to sign up, not now! —– thanks for the 411! :)

]]> By: Zack http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3416 Zack Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:02:59 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3416 I had a really horrible time a few years ago trying to cancel this... so much that I literally just hung up in frustration. Thinking about it again today I found your article and called them up, the lady was really nice and after offering me a cheaper service just went ahead and canceled it for me. They must've had so many complaints that they revamped the whole system. If anyone tried before and got pissed go ahead and try it now. Too bad I don't have back those hundreds of dollars from the last few years... I had a really horrible time a few years ago trying to cancel this… so much that I literally just hung up in frustration. Thinking about it again today I found your article and called them up, the lady was really nice and after offering me a cheaper service just went ahead and canceled it for me. They must’ve had so many complaints that they revamped the whole system. If anyone tried before and got pissed go ahead and try it now. Too bad I don’t have back those hundreds of dollars from the last few years…

]]> By: Bryan http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3403 Bryan Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:21:11 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3403 Just dealt with a lady there, fired a couple bullets at me about lowering the price and the risk of not monitoring credit, but was generally agreeable and cancelled without any issues. Just dealt with a lady there, fired a couple bullets at me about lowering the price and the risk of not monitoring credit, but was generally agreeable and cancelled without any issues.

]]> By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3397 Josh Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:27:54 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3397 Don't take no for an answer. If you're certain you never talked to them then they don't have you recorded. :-) Don’t take no for an answer. If you’re certain you never talked to them then they don’t have you recorded. :-)

]]> By: Lori http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3396 Lori Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:17:04 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3396 I just got off the phone with those pinheads! I noticed two months ago that they had been charging me since last September. When I called for a refund I was not as calm as you as I am so sick of people ripping off other people. Bank of America is worthless as far as help. The PAssist people told me that they could prove they talked to me because they record all the phone calls. Funny, I wasn't at the number they called on the day they said they called. It has been 6 weeks and the guy I just spoke to said they have tried to contact me several times and they do have voice confirmation from me. Of course, he wasn't the one handling it and the girl who is handling it just stepped out of the office. He is the SUPERVISOR for goodness sake but he couldn't access the recording they supposedly have? In this day and age, I have a secretary and voicemail but yet have never recieved a message from them when they supposedly tried to contact me? He had no answers and was getting perturbed by my questions. I am going to be embarrased if they really do have my voice on tape but I am 100 percent positive they don't. I wonder if they are just seeing how far they can push it? Any advice? I just got off the phone with those pinheads! I noticed two months ago that they had been charging me since last September. When I called for a refund I was not as calm as you as I am so sick of people ripping off other people. Bank of America is worthless as far as help. The PAssist people told me that they could prove they talked to me because they record all the phone calls. Funny, I wasn’t at the number they called on the day they said they called. It has been 6 weeks and the guy I just spoke to said they have tried to contact me several times and they do have voice confirmation from me. Of course, he wasn’t the one handling it and the girl who is handling it just stepped out of the office. He is the SUPERVISOR for goodness sake but he couldn’t access the recording they supposedly have? In this day and age, I have a secretary and voicemail but yet have never recieved a message from them when they supposedly tried to contact me? He had no answers and was getting perturbed by my questions.

I am going to be embarrased if they really do have my voice on tape but I am 100 percent positive they don’t. I wonder if they are just seeing how far they can push it?

Any advice?

]]> By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3355 Josh Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:07:54 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3355 Anecdotally speaking, yours appears to be a rare experience with Privacy Assist. Given your "more likely to have a heart attack" comment, may I assume you used a disarming "kindly old lady" voice? ;-) Anecdotally speaking, yours appears to be a rare experience with Privacy Assist. Given your “more likely to have a heart attack” comment, may I assume you used a disarming “kindly old lady” voice? ;-)

]]> By: Eneella http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3352 Eneella Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:32:27 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3352 I just called and it was easy as pie. The guy was friendly, it only took two tries (I told him I was more likely to have a heart attack than have my identity stolen), and the wait time was absolutely minimal. I've had bad phone experiences - this was not one of them :) I just called and it was easy as pie. The guy was friendly, it only took two tries (I told him I was more likely to have a heart attack than have my identity stolen), and the wait time was absolutely minimal. I’ve had bad phone experiences – this was not one of them :)

]]> By: diya http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-3343 diya Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:20:03 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-3343 I just cancelled mine. The lady said about the same stuff but seemed to be less passionate about the program and after 3 tries gave me the cancellation. Thanks for this blog post ...I did exactly what you said to do, repeatedly state "I just want to cancel my account." and it worked! I just cancelled mine. The lady said about the same stuff but seemed to be less passionate about the program and after 3 tries gave me the cancellation. Thanks for this blog post …I did exactly what you said to do, repeatedly state “I just want to cancel my account.” and it worked!

]]> By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-2745 Josh Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:47:30 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-2745 Ugh. Best of luck. Ugh. Best of luck.

]]> By: Sorah http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-2744 Sorah Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:45:12 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-2744 Josh, I'm about to embark on the same thing as you experienced. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for the program (I literally just needed to see my credit report, thusly it's been less than a month). This is going to be fun! Wish me luck! :( Josh,
I’m about to embark on the same thing as you experienced. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for the program (I literally just needed to see my credit report, thusly it’s been less than a month). This is going to be fun! Wish me luck! :(

]]> By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-2647 Josh Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:55:23 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-2647 No, they canceled it. I only had to give my account name and continue pressuring the guy a bit. I watched for a month or two and received no further charges. No, they canceled it. I only had to give my account name and continue pressuring the guy a bit. I watched for a month or two and received no further charges.

]]> By: Carlos http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-2631 Carlos Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:22:17 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-2631 So did they really cancel it or have you been charged one more recurring bill? Did you have to give any other personal information? It scares me to give this information over the phone. So did they really cancel it or have you been charged one more recurring bill? Did you have to give any other personal information? It scares me to give this information over the phone.

]]> By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-2104 Josh Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:25:44 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-2104 Have you tried looking at their web site? There's a "contact us" page. Also, googling "bank of america privacy assist phone number" works. Have you tried looking at their web site? There’s a “contact us” page. Also, googling “bank of america privacy assist phone number” works.

]]> By: T Donohue http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-2103 T Donohue Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:13:46 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-2103 Does anyone know how to reach privacy assist to cancel this? BOA says its not related therefore they can not cancel. They have been duping my 80 year old mother out of this money ($12.99) for several years. I am now handling her finances and know one seems to be able to help at BOA. HELP PLEASE Does anyone know how to reach privacy assist to cancel this? BOA says its not related therefore they can not cancel. They have been duping my 80 year old mother out of this money ($12.99) for several years. I am now handling her finances and know one seems to be able to help at BOA. HELP PLEASE

]]> By: Mr. Terry http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-1856 Mr. Terry Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:57:57 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-1856 The exact same thing happened to me also with privacy assist. Mr. T The exact same thing happened to me also with privacy assist.

Mr. T

]]> By: Josh http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-230 Josh Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:34:12 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-230 Your links didn't come through, but I wanted to say outright: The Privacy Assist people have nothing to do with Bank of America. I discovered this soon after posting this story and updated it accordingly. Granted, BoA shouldn't be sending its customers to companies like that. Your links didn’t come through, but I wanted to say outright: The Privacy Assist people have nothing to do with Bank of America. I discovered this soon after posting this story and updated it accordingly. Granted, BoA shouldn’t be sending its customers to companies like that.

]]> By: Larry Williams http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-229 Larry Williams Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:22:18 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-229 With stories like this,this, and this, it's not hard to imagine why someone might need to kick their Bank of America problem all the way to the top of the dung heap . Here's some executive contact phone numbers: Executive Customer Relations general line: 704-386-5687 Nancy M. Condos VP/ Customer Advocate Executive Customer Relations Office of the Chairman nancy.m.condos@bankofamerica.com(email is bouncing) Martha Dominguez, Executive Customer Relations Specialist: 714-792-4264 Corporate Headquarters: 704-386-5972 / 704-386-5681 Operator: 800-900-9000 (press 0 twice) Corporate Headquarters (Bank of America): Bank of America Corporate Center 100 North Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28255 You can always write the CEO: Brian Monahan 100 N. Tryon Street. Mail Code NC-1-007-18-01 Charlotte, NC 28255 With stories like this,this, and this, it’s not hard to imagine why someone might need to kick their Bank of America problem all the way to the top of the dung heap . Here’s some executive contact phone numbers:

Executive Customer Relations general line: 704-386-5687

Nancy M. Condos
VP/ Customer Advocate
Executive Customer Relations
Office of the Chairman
nancy.m.condos@bankofamerica.com(email is bouncing)

Martha Dominguez, Executive Customer Relations Specialist: 714-792-4264

Corporate Headquarters: 704-386-5972 / 704-386-5681
Operator: 800-900-9000 (press 0 twice)

Corporate Headquarters (Bank of America):
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255

You can always write the CEO:

Brian Monahan
100 N. Tryon Street.
Mail Code NC-1-007-18-01
Charlotte, NC 28255

]]> By: Fizza Zaidi http://joshua.nozzi.name/2009/11/canceling-privacy-assist-and-asshole-tactics/#comment-123 Fizza Zaidi Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:55:52 +0000 http://stage.nozzi.name/?p=20#comment-123 OH MY GOD!!! Okay, so I just deposited a lot of money from a fairly large paycheck I just received and I thought, "I should save all of this to prevent me from spending it all and if I am about to go over on my checking account, I can just easily transfer through mobile banking". Don't get me wrong, I love Bank of America but when I went to check my transactions, I noticed a $12.99 charge under PRIVACY ASSIST right on there!! I thought to myself, "did I sign up for this?? I dont think so!" but then, the farther back i went into my history, I found one that popped up every month!! I decided I would look that up and see what it even it, not really expecting a good result but there it was! EVERY SINGLE LINK was title "PRIVACY ASSIST... BANK OF AMERICA"!! I decided I would read what people wrote. Some people sued the bank, others were just describing what it was, but when I read what this page had to say, I just had to comment!!! I completely agree with how immature these salespeople are and how ridiculous the company's methodology is when it comes to "convincing people" they "need" privacy assist. Anyway, the whole point of me writing this, is the same as yours: WHAT DOUCHEBAGS INDEED!!! I'm going to go to the bank tomorrow morning and see what torture they put me through:/ crossing my fingers! -Fizza Zaidi OH MY GOD!!!
Okay, so I just deposited a lot of money from a fairly large paycheck I just received and I thought, “I should save all of this to prevent me from spending it all and if I am about to go over on my checking account, I can just easily transfer through mobile banking”. Don’t get me wrong, I love Bank of America but when I went to check my transactions, I noticed a $12.99 charge under PRIVACY ASSIST right on there!! I thought to myself, “did I sign up for this?? I dont think so!” but then, the farther back i went into my history, I found one that popped up every month!! I decided I would look that up and see what it even it, not really expecting a good result but there it was! EVERY SINGLE LINK was title “PRIVACY ASSIST… BANK OF AMERICA”!! I decided I would read what people wrote. Some people sued the bank, others were just describing what it was, but when I read what this page had to say, I just had to comment!!! I completely agree with how immature these salespeople are and how ridiculous the company’s methodology is when it comes to “convincing people” they “need” privacy assist.

Anyway, the whole point of me writing this, is the same as yours: WHAT DOUCHEBAGS INDEED!!!

I’m going to go to the bank tomorrow morning and see what torture they put me through:/ crossing my fingers!

-Fizza Zaidi

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