The Virtual Pub
Come Inside... => Saloon Bar => Topic started by: Nick on February 15, 2010, 01:50:38 PM
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So I needed to buy some Euros. Oddly the local T Cook's had the best rate so in I went.
Asked for Euros.
"How are you paying?"
Card
"I need photo ID"
Why
"I just do"
Produce passport
"Now give me your card"
I hand over the card
She enters the numbers into her compooter
"Can you confirm your address?" (We have been here before evil:)
Why?
"I need it confirmed"
You tell me and I will confirm it. We tussle about this and then she gives me one line. How the fook does her Cook compooter yield up my address from my Debit Card number???? rubschin:
She gives me the card back and instructs me to insert it in the machine thing and put my PIN in.
"Would you like a DNA sample too?"
She is not amused noooo:
I use my debit card every day, why all this fuss over 50 fooking Euros?
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"Money Laundering Regulations" ~ or so they claim.
To be correct it should be the Prevention of Money Laundering Regulations which require banks/money changers etc to satisfy themselves that each customer is not trying to convert (launder) stolen money by recycling it through bank accounts, changing it into foreign currency and back again etc.
Thos Cook, like many others, simply train their staff on one set of procedures on a "catch all" basis with no room for thought allowed. They are in this case applying the regulations when they have no need to but you'll never convince them of that. Don't take it out on their staff, they need their jobs and have no discretion in the matter.
Once again the unintended consequences of poorly drafted legislation.
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Oh I know it's the stoopid Money Laundering stuff, though she wouldn't say so.My core concern is that she can take my bank card and/or passport (in a Travel Agent) and get my address. What else was on that screen?
Anyhoo what international criminal would try to launder ?50 through Thomas Cook ?
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Same one who would try to do it at my local post office ~ I was stuck behind her last week. She was about 90 noooo:
As for what information your bank release to such people ~ it is anyone's guess. TMR may know ~ it is certainly a lot more than I am happy to have broadcast.
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Well she made copious notes on the transaction slip: A/c number, passport number, name. address the lot evil:
My online registration means that the Spanish Government know I am off to Lanzarote, how and for how long. Tomorrow my microchip passport will signal my departure to someone or other, and don't ask about the airport security and CCTV evil:
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"Confirm your address" is bad enough on the phone.
Having to shout it out at a bureau de change must be as good as going on the Tannoy and yelling "I am Mr Pastis of 13 Acacia Avenue, RG9 9ZZ and I am leaving my house empty and going abroad for a while"
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Good point, well made!
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Just don't think about the rats.
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Anyhoo what international criminal would try to launder ?50 through Thomas Cook ?
As far as I'm aware the need to verify a customer is for transaction amounts of ?15,000 and over.
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More badly trained staff then ::)
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Britain under New labour - Guilty until proven innocent. noooo:
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"I am Mr Pastis of 13 Acacia Avenue, RG9 9ZZ and I am leaving my house empty and going abroad for a while"
eeek: SHHHHHHHHH !!
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Legally they have to report any transaction over ?5000. They can "assist" by reporting any transaction over ?1000, so they always do.
If you are stopped by the Police with more than ?1000 in your pocket, they can question you and ascertain why you had that much on you.
All this from a DCI mate of mine who deals in financial crime from a station near a major airport. Most of his time is spent dealing with newly arrived scruffy swarthy gentlemen with pockets full of wonga.
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And my ?50 worth of Euros?
Bastards.
Mind you we wouldn't want to tar all swarthy gentlemen with the same brush wold we?
Oh redface:
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And my ?50 worth of Euros?
Bastards.
Mind you we wouldn't want to tar all swarthy gentlemen with the same brush wold we?
Oh redface:
Wow! 50 whole euros! You're pushing the boat out a bit aren't you ey tight arse?
Won't get many rancid rugs for that chummy. lol:
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No marzipan treats for you either whistle:
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How can marzipan ever be considered a treat sick2:
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How can marzipan ever be considered a treat sick2:
I love marzipan cloud9:
Where were you on Sunday then? You stood me up
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I was there ......waiting and waiting and waiting. After being treated for hypothermia I thought I had given you long enough sad24:
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8 o'clock at the Royal Oak. I was there. Table booked, Log fire Room reserved (just in case)
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And my ?50 worth of Euros?
Bastards.
Mind you we wouldn't want to tar all swarthy gentlemen with the same brush wold we?
Oh redface:
Wow! 50 whole euros! You're pushing the boat out a bit aren't you ey tight arse?
Won't get many rancid rugs for that chummy. lol:
Now now Growler, be nice. That's probably all Nick has left after the amount he would have had to fork out on insurance... whistle: