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Yet again this morning I received a call from a Bank trying to persuade me to take their Credit Card. It’s not the first time, it won’t be the last time, but I’m fed up with this intrusion. Not to mention the audacity of the caller to assume I’ll enjoy the call and the benefits on offer.

It’s pointless trying to debate where and how these people acquire my details, it seems to be common knowledge and equally common practice for reputable institutions to trade personal databases; something that equally cheeses me off, but let’s stay with the banks and retailers right now.

This morning it was Dave, a very nicely spoken Dave, asking to take up a few minutes of my time; I thought his tone implied cue cards were on hand to assist his spiel. Possibly I mused, the call centre has a 5 x 5 meter white board bearing today’s sales pitch that everybody faces while ears are glued to phones.

Feeling generous I allowed him to get the first few lines out of “…. I’m calling from American Express and would like to invite you to apply for our Gold Card.” I stopped him there, assuring him I had no intention of applying and that I was satisfied with what I currently had. I’ll give him his due, he tried to persuade me that the card was versatile, but I still couldn’t be budged.

Yesterday an equally well-spoken lady from First National Bank called me to offer their wonderful Banking facilities, again I declined.

On another occasion I received bumpf from Woolworth’s informing me that a pre-approved loan of several thousand Rands was waiting for me. All I had to do was phone them on the referenced call centre number, or visit a store to activate this facility. It was pretty simple really, the problem was I didn’t want their cash, I didn’t want them pre-approving anything for me and I didn’t want their correspondence either.

Incensed I phoned Woolies Head Office. After several attempts to speak to the correct person, I finally got through to the Marketing department where I had to forcibly explain that I didn’t want anything from them, and that they’d better remove me from their mailing list sharpish. I think the lady I spoke to was a little taken aback at my attitude, seeming only happy to remove me once I explained that if I wanted to borrow anything from them at an exorbitant interest rate, then I would contact them personally.

Just as equally common are the “We’ll make your life easier” letter. This one comes with a message of additional cards for your family to use. “And isn’t it great…” they continue “…give your whole family flexibility, let them be independent with their own card.” Yep that’s great, but the costs incurred still have to be paid back, and what kind of control is that offering to families already fighting budgets? None. It simply gives people free rein to ring up debt.

What these institutions are really doing is preying on desperate people who are thankful to get some much needed cash or credit. Once that piece of plastic is in said people’s hands they are often completely oblivious of just how long it’s going to take to pay off the debt. Not to mention how much interest they will incur, or the regular monthly repayments expected of them.

To make matters worst, if the said loans are not re-paid, the same generous institutions will feel little compassion when they issue a letter of demand, and subsequent summons to court to the already financially strapped debtor.

This whole process is completely immoral. How can institutions be allowed to pre-approve anything to anybody without first asking permission? What gives them the right to distribute cash and credit to anybody, regardless of their financial status? Are they even aware of the impact of being in debt, and the humiliation of having to almost beg family, friends and employees to bail them out? I think not.

It’s time for Banks and Retailers to generate profits via their merchandise and not through interest incurred on debt. It is not sufficient for them to respond with their pre-approved message that we don’t have to take them up on their offer, try telling that to somebody who is battling to put food on the table.