how can people who speak the same language continue to not understand?
as i've mentioned before, i'm partially sighted and it's getting worse. as a result, i find it impossible to make out my new pin number when i'm sent it. several times, i've had to phone the bank and explain this to them. i make it very clear that i cannot see the number and sending me another would be pointless.
what do they do, every time? yep, they send me another pin number. i've had to go into the main branch 4 times so far, only to be told that without my pin number, i can't change anything and they can't tell me my pin number as they're not allowed to know what it is. i know they have security issues, after all, it's a bank. nevertheless, surely someone in there should be able to help me with this frustrating situation
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:23, 40 replies)

Just paste a scan of it on here, I'll read it out for you.
Along with the long card number, your full name, address, date of birth and card commencement and expiry dates.

Not forgetting the CV2 number from the back of the card too.
(The Luggage is haunted..., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:28, closed)

hmmmmm
*eyes suspiciously*
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:31, closed)

Well that wont help you read your PIN

(robneymcplum spiced up his life on, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:54, closed)

Nah, sure I can help.
Done it for loads of people. Don't mind the gold-plated chihuahua in the corner, it's a present from my mother.
(The Luggage is haunted..., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:59, closed)

pfff

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 13:06, closed)

I'm not trying to be insensitive here SM
but how far you off being "legally blind"? Surely as most companies that follow a PC creed they would have to have some allowance for this situation for people who are blind.
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:43, closed)

they've said they can help when i am legally blind
but that's at worst a year off, at best 3 years.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:48, closed)

I'm sorry to hear that.

(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:52, closed)

hey, shit happens

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:55, closed)

^ What Ringo said ^

( The Mock Turtle ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 15:09, closed)

Is it a personal pin number?
(mmm savoury snacks, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:44, closed)

no
i wanted to change it to a personal number, but without being able to see it, i wasn't allowed to change the damn thing because i couldn't tell them what it was!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:46, closed)

Can't a friend help you,
then you can change it at a machine straight away?
( M3rx likes the Asian ladies, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:50, closed)

that's what i had to do last time
then my purse was stolen and i had to cancel the card. i want to get it sorted because i really don't want to have to rely on friends for things i should be able to do myself.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 12:54, closed)

Do they really not have a robot you can call for it to read out such things? What is the process for when you are legally blind - can you learn numerals in Braille? I've heard Braille porn is excellent
(feedingtimeatthezoo day 1 of his bikini diet started, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 13:27, closed)

i was told
that when i have a piece of paper stating that i am legally blind, they can set up a meeting with the bank manager who will arrange some special way of me getting this mess sorted. i was too incredulous to pay attention properly by that point.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 14:02, closed)

Have you thought about getting the RNIB involved?
They'd love this. Failing that, I still think you could have them done for disability discrimination, even without being legally blind.

Or, just buy a magnifying glass.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 14:39, closed)

after a different disability-related organisation
accused me of being a beggar when i asked them for advice, i have a dim view of such places.
also, i have a magnifying glass. it didn't help.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 15:30, closed)

You should try them Smashy
I work with the one down here now and then and they are always incredibly helpful. Also you can register as Sight Impaired (partially sighted) depending on your vision test results and this might help you no end.
( Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 16:19, closed)

due for a check-up fairly soon, iirc
i'll see what the optician says and get his report before i talk to the RNIB, that'll probably make things easier.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 26 Feb 2012, 14:40, closed)

"i've had to go into the main branch 4 times so far"
are you sure it wasn't the dentists you went into by mistake or something?
(TheManWithThePlan cussed your mum on, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 15:29, closed)

this really shouldn't be ,making me giggle so much

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 15:32, closed)

'Doctor Doctor I need help with my eyesight'
Indeed you do Madam, this is the butchers..... etc.
(robneymcplum spiced up his life on, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 15:55, closed)

I heard about some guy who went into an opticians
with a massive turd in a shoebox.

The horrified optician asked him what the hell he was bringing it to him for, he should go to a doctor.

The guy says 'No, it's just that when I did that, it made my eyes water'.

Carry on.
(username failed moderation, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 16:57, closed)

officelol
*clicks*
( Slippery Mick ‏, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:02, closed)

I had a PIN sent for my new credit card.
It's printed on a sort of plastic film in tiny dots about 0.5mm across and 2mm apart - with the black dots that make up the digits being about 0.7mm across, just a tiny bit bigger (yes, I got it under the SMD microscope and measured).

I have perfect sight. I can barely read the bloody thing in clear daylight. How the hell someone with even slight problems seeing would manage I don't know.
(gordonjcp, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 16:59, closed)

Chip no PIN
If you're visually impaired (not blind), you can ask for Chip no PIN. As long as they can justify (put a note on your account), they'll do it for you.

Word of warning - it confuses the fuck out of till monkeys.
(Vigilante Man weeps because you're stupid., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:10, closed)

Oo, I like the sound of that
Am assuming it doesnt work in cashpoints but in a shop I would love that. Do you need to sign or just give it them?
(robneymcplum spiced up his life on, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:21, closed)

Sign. I work in card customer service for Evil Corporation PLC, and we occasionally get requests for these cards. You put it in the terminal and it prints a slip like the old mag stripe cards. You'd still need a PIN for use at cash machines, but counter service in banks and cashback from till monkeys is a reasonable work around. Also, debit cards will soon have NFC capability, so it'll be just tap and go for small transactions.
(Vigilante Man weeps because you're stupid., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 23:08, closed)

i'll look into that
while i still can! :D
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 26 Feb 2012, 14:37, closed)

Don't you know anyone
who could read it out to you? It's only a one-off problem when you get a new card, right?
(ubergeekian, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:18, closed)

What you say is true
but that's not the point. As Smash said, he doesn't want to rely on friends who doubtless would happily read him the PIN. It would be fitting if his bank invested in some (probably simple) tech to help people in this position, rather than lavishing the cost of a small war on compliance departments to demonstrate adherence to the letter, rather than the spirit, of equality legislation.
(Good old boy just like yer grandma!, Sat 25 Feb 2012, 23:57, closed)

it would be
but every time i complain, they send me a new card and a new pin
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 26 Feb 2012, 14:38, closed)

It's not a pin number,
it's simply a 'pin'.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Or you could carry on saying 'personal identification number number'
( Albert Marshmallow is a completely irredeemable cunt, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:33, closed)

Nah, it's a PIN number all right
You need it to use an ATM machine.
(ubergeekian, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:34, closed)

\o/

( wangmaster2000, Wed 29 Feb 2012, 14:23, closed)

That's all I could think when I read this too...
My personal hates are when people in banks say it or it says it on the ATM screen! GAH.
( vix0r was not Matthew on, Sat 25 Feb 2012, 23:52, closed)

The law (I'm assuming you're in the UK) says basically that:
Service providers must make 'reasonable adjustments' to allow a disabled person to use their services. If they don't do this, they must be able to show that their failure to do so is reasonable.

To be regarded as disabled due to a sight problem, you need to meet one of the following criteria:
- certified as blind or partially-sighted by a consultant ophthalmologist; or
-registered as blind or partially-sighted by a local authority.

I'm guessing that you meet at least the first criterion if you've received treatment or the deterioration of your sight is being monitored.

My advice would be to write to the CEO of said bank and ask for his help. If you get nothing back from that approach, go to the local press, they love stories like that.
( Snappyuk gets BIGGER with free sample., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 18:39, closed)

^This
with a big dollop of cream on top.
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Fri 24 Feb 2012, 21:36, closed)

thanks
definitely going to try that, this needs sorting. the chip no pin thing seems like a good idea, too
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 26 Feb 2012, 14:33, closed)