So I left Taiwan about one year ago but I still have my Cathay bank account open. Recently I wanted to login to the e-banking platform because I need some transaction records to prove that I lived in Taiwan, other than that the account still has some money which I wanted to withdraw (but not a significant amount).
Sadly I forgot my 6-digit pin (still remember the login/password) and I managed to block my account. Then I tried to use the card reader to unblock it and again I typed the pin incorrectly and I got the ATM card blocked.
Now they say the only way to unblock it is:
āAbout your letter,as the chip pin of ATM card has accumulated up to error three times will invalid, if forgot the password, please carry original identity cards (valid ARC and passport), the registered seal or sign your name (signature of the original opening account authorized) and ATM card apply reset password to our any branch in person.ā
But I have no plans in the near future to travel to Taiwan and, even if I would, I donāt have a valid ARC anymore, it expired shortly after I left Taiwan.
Does anyone know if thereās any possibility to unblock my account through the phone by providing extra data regarding my identity? This seems like a super restrictive process, I understand itās for the clientsā safety but surely there must be some easier process to regain access to the account for people in my situation.
I did this several times with HSBC and unlocked over the phone. But sounds like your bank will be tough. Do you remember your phone banking password ? Suppose not
I see, Iām dealing with Cathay United because my Taiwanese company forced me to have an account there and I normally had to bring my girlfriend with me because they didnāt even speak English at that specific branch so all the processes have been terribly complicated even while I was still in Taiwan with a valid work contract + ARC.
I didnāt even know there was a Phone Banking solution in place to be honest. I guess they didnāt even bother explaining that to me as they assumed I would deal with everything online or in presence.
Haha, no worriesā¦ I trusted/trust her completely. I am actually thinking if it would be possible to authorize her to unblock my account for me.
I just called Cathay and they said they will contact the branch to confirm if this is possible or not (why should it depend on the branch policy and not their global policy is something that dumbfounds me but oh well).
i took a taiwanese friend with me to open mine as they wanted writing in chinese. the times i have been there by myself its been a total pain in the ass.
You are so nice. I would just call the local branch of the country Iām and demand my money.
All you need is a valid passport to open up a bank account. If they ask for a valid ARC you can just say, I no longer live in Taiwan, so how can I have a valid ARC Einstein? Once they concede on that point, rub it in
I tried to explain that over the phone countless times but you know how it works in Taiwan, whenever you try to ask for something thatās off the script they will just repeat the same line over and over to you.
In this case it was āWe will contact your branch and see if they can allow you to authorize someone to take care of this issue for you and we will contact you back tomorrow at 3pmā.
I donāt think there are even any Cathay branches outside of Asia, it seems to be quite a bad bank for expats but my company just decided for me so I stuck with it. Looking back now I think I should have opened a second account immediately on a more international bank and just pass along all the money I got while working there but alas.
This has worked for me getting through so-called unscripted momentsā¦
Talk only with management, get their names, and say their name is often and tell them youāll call them back. Get their email if possible and always send a confirmation summary of each conversation. recap each previous conversation every time you get through.
When there is accountability and the risk of looking ineffective sometimes people change their attitude. Good luck.
Forgive my two cents comment but you seem too cool for someone being deprived of your money. And you are being deprived of your property. Legally itās your property and you can demand it anytime you want and they must give it to you or face legal consequences not that you have the ability to easily do that right now.
But but itās similar Catch-22 situations I would slowly go hysterical, refusing to hang up, getting transferred to management and under my breath and out loud continually repeating something like " I canāt believe I stupidly forgot my passcode and now Iām being deprived of my money". "This makes no sense, I need to pay my bills. I can prove who am. You wantā¦ listing all your legal ID starting at your passport, your birth certificate working your way down to your library card. āItās my money, I want my money, I want my money, you canāt take my moneyā.
Be polite, then escalating to near hysterical Panic slowly and being annoying are effective tactics.
Iād like to say all the cases Iāve won were based on Merit but sometimes, I would hear the service rep say canāt believe Iām doing this and solve my problem. Even if the fault was mine in the first place.
Your bank doesnāt sound very nice. Find out the cancellation procedure. maybe you can close your account by registered mail. But then the problem would be how do you get the money to where you are now without losing a lot in the exchange while cashing a bank check or wire transfer .
good luck.
ä½ ę³å¤Ŗå¤äŗā¦heās probably got a couple of thousand NT in there and only needs the transaction records for tax or some other reason in Canada. And donāt forgetā¦heās got the old Taiwan fling still in Taiwan to take care of business
Ha ha ha. You are right. Iām not fighting for him. Iām fighting for the times Iāve been cheated or battles Iāve lost before learning how things work.
Has anyone else had experience with this? Any solutions?
I am currently outside Taiwan, card got lost, got a new card delivered to my sister in Taiwan but the card in not active. Canāt get them to activate it over the phone, canāt get them to transfer money out over the phone, not even change my phone number. I have phoned several times they arenāt flexible at all on this. Canāt come back to TW at the moment as I also lost the damn ARC (ARC extension), so wonāt be allowed to enter soon.
