No Respect for Passwords

When we opened a bank account 2 years ago, we set up Internet banking which included a pin number for secure access. Within 2 weeks the pin number didn't work anymore.

This was highly annoying because Yella worked hard to get trained to use the system in Spanish. I can't believe the bank person did the training with a straight face. She knows that the pin number won't work for long.

Upon returning last September, we attempted to set up another pin number. The bank representative had to make 4 attempts to get one that worked. All good now.

That lasted about 3 weeks.

Upon returning in January, I marched into the bank and demanded a statement. She chided me for not using the Internet.

Wrong response!

So I gave her an ear full about their chicken shit security system, told her she could get butt in gear and start printing me a hard copy statement. She actually refused and told me to use the Internet. One of my first blogs earlier this year documents this battle.

Finally, I got my statement...for $15.

But, I refused to set up Internet banking with them and that's the way it stands today.

Now on to cell phones...

Most people do not listen to their voice mail messages.

Why?

They don't know how to retrieve them.

The ONLY way to set up voice mail is to physically go to the Cable and Wireless (Mas Movil) office, obscurely hidden behind a service tower to insure that no one will trouble them for help! They will set it up, if and this is big if, they have an English speaking person available.

Yella and I went last Spring and set up our phones. Which, of course, requires a password. (I wrote a blog about this last Spring also)

So the trouble starts.

A couple of weeks ago, my phone refused the existing password. Not to worry. I know they don't give a shit about passwords so I quit using the voice mail like everyone else in Panama.

When you can't fight them, join them.

Yella however wanted to set up her phone so we went back.

Why did the passwords change, you ask? Well, the assistant said, "I think they were doing something to the system a few weeks ago. We sure have had a lot of complaints lately."

They will change a password or pin number at the drop of a hat. They don't give a shit!

Inconvenience is not an issue for Panamanians. Their life is one inconvenience after another. They can't even fathom what the problem is.

So it goes...

Union Fenosa was installing power poles on the road to our house. It looks like we will have electricity in a week or two.

Can you believe it?