The Telephone Runaround Games Banks Play, Chapter 3 The Your Call is Important to Us Scam Please take note that this is Chapter 3 of Games Banks Play. We ran Chapter 1 last year. Or maybe it was the year before. Or the year before that. We don t remember. We had Chapter 2 that we think was last year. But we re not sure. Maybe that was the year before too. The topics? Hey, if we can t remember when we produced the prior chapters, we certainly can t remember the topics of Chapters 1 & 2. However, we do know the topic of Chapter 3 The Telephone Runaround. We re sure that everyone reading this has been tempted to throw their telephone against the wall, or out the window, or maybe on the floor so it can be crushed with a foot. And the usual reason? You tried to call a business. Instead of a person answering, a machine answers. It says that their options have recently changed so listen carefully. (Everyones options must change monthly.) So you listen and push the button that you think is the right one. Then the machine answers again. It asks you for an account number, phone number or something so the machine knows who it is talking to. You enter it. Then it tells you something else. Or asks for something else. Or maybe hangs up on you because they just closed 30 seconds ago. Anything is possible because you are talking to a machine, not a person. Many banks do this too. They give you a telephone number to call if you have a problem. You call the number and a machine answers. They tell you the options that have recently changed. You push the button. They ask you to enter your account number and password. They may also ask for your birth date, social security number, drivers license number and/or blood type. You enter what you can and hope for the best. Then, if you are really, really lucky, you get to talk to a real person eventually after waiting for who knows how long. But, while waiting, the machine continually tells you that your call is important to them. (Yeah, right.) The person that you finally talk to may be in a different state, or different country. They don't know you and are reading from a script on the monitor in front of them. Anyway, did you finally get your question answered? Well, maybe yes, maybe no. Thats because to them, you re a number, not a person. Things are different at First Secure Community Bank of Joliet. We don't have a machine that answers and gives you the runaround. We have actual people that answer. Not people somewhere else. People at the bank right here in Joliet. Most of the time, when you give us your name, we know who you are. Most of the time, when you call us, you know the person that you are talking to. And we can usually help you or answer your question in less time than it takes for the machine at another bank to tell you that your call is important to them. Why do other banks have machines? Because they are cheap compared to paying a real person. Why doesn t First Secure Bank have a machine? Because we hire real people at First Secure Community Bank. And, we look at our customers as people, not numbers. So, if you would prefer to talk to a real person rather than a machine when you have a question or problem, come and see us. We're waiting for you. Free Shred Event! Saturday, July 20 10am to 1pm First Secure Community Bank of Joliet 2398 Essington Rd (815) 230-8000 Bring in your old documents and papers on the specified date, for our free shredding service. Limit 5 boxes. We look forward to seeing you. We Shred for Customers and Non-Customers alike! [1st] FIRST SECURE COMMUNITY BANK OF JOLIET We're not just your bank, we're your neighbor! Joliets Locally-Owned and Locally-Managed Billion Dollar Community Bank 2398 Essington Rd (Corner of Essington and Caton Farm Rd) (815) 230-8000 Visit 1stsecurebank.com MEMBER FDIC EQUAL ROUSING LENDER 2.24% SAVINGS ACCOUNT RATE GUARANTEED NOT TO CHANGE FOR ALL OF 2024. $100 minimum. No maximum. *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective as of 1/1/24. Minimum Balance to open is $100.00. Fees may reduce earnings. Rate will not decrease through 12/31/24. After guaranteed date the rate will be a variable rate and is subject to change at any time and without notice. The Telephone Runaround Games Banks Play , Chapter 3 The Your Call is Important to Us Scam Please take note that this is Chapter 3 of Games Banks Play . We ran Chapter 1 last year . Or maybe it was the year before . Or the year before that . We don t remember . We had Chapter 2 that we think was last year . But we re not sure . Maybe that was the year before too . The topics ? Hey , if we can t remember when we produced the prior chapters , we certainly can t remember the topics of Chapters 1 & 2. However , we do know the topic of Chapter 3 The Telephone Runaround . We re sure that everyone reading this has been tempted to throw their telephone against the wall , or out the window , or maybe on the floor so it can be crushed with a foot . And the usual reason ? You tried to call a business . Instead of a person answering , a machine answers . It says that their options have recently changed so listen carefully . ( Everyones options must change monthly . ) So you listen and push the button that you think is the right one . Then the machine answers again . It asks you for an account number , phone number or something so the machine knows who it is talking to . You enter it . Then it tells you something else . Or asks for something else . Or maybe hangs up on you because they just closed 30 seconds ago . Anything is possible because you are talking to a machine , not a person . Many banks do this too . They give you a telephone number to call if you have a problem . You call the number and a machine answers . They tell you the options that have recently changed . You push the button . They ask you to enter your account number and password . They may also ask for your birth date , social security number , drivers license number and / or blood type . You enter what you can and hope for the best . Then , if you are really , really lucky , you get to talk to a real person eventually after waiting for who knows how long . But , while waiting , the machine continually tells you that your call is important to them . ( Yeah , right . ) The person that you finally talk to may be in a different state , or different country . They don't know you and are reading from a script on the monitor in front of them . Anyway , did you finally get your question answered ? Well , maybe yes , maybe no . Thats because to them , you re a number , not a person . Things are different at First Secure Community Bank of Joliet . We don't have a machine that answers and gives you the runaround . We have actual people that answer . Not people somewhere else . People at the bank right here in Joliet . Most of the time , when you give us your name , we know who you are . Most of the time , when you call us , you know the person that you are talking to . And we can usually help you or answer your question in less time than it takes for the machine at another bank to tell you that your call is important to them . Why do other banks have machines ? Because they are cheap compared to paying a real person . Why doesn t First Secure Bank have a machine ? Because we hire real people at First Secure Community Bank . And , we look at our customers as people , not numbers . So , if you would prefer to talk to a real person rather than a machine when you have a question or problem , come and see us . We're waiting for you . Free Shred Event ! Saturday , July 20 10am to 1pm First Secure Community Bank of Joliet 2398 Essington Rd ( 815 ) 230-8000 Bring in your old documents and papers on the specified date , for our free shredding service . Limit 5 boxes . We look forward to seeing you . We Shred for Customers and Non - Customers alike ! [ 1st ] FIRST SECURE COMMUNITY BANK OF JOLIET We're not just your bank , we're your neighbor ! Joliets Locally - Owned and Locally - Managed Billion Dollar Community Bank 2398 Essington Rd ( Corner of Essington and Caton Farm Rd ) ( 815 ) 230-8000 Visit 1stsecurebank.com MEMBER FDIC EQUAL ROUSING LENDER 2.24 % SAVINGS ACCOUNT RATE GUARANTEED NOT TO CHANGE FOR ALL OF 2024 . $ 100 minimum . No maximum . * Annual Percentage Yield ( APY ) effective as of 1/1/24 . Minimum Balance to open is $ 100.00 . Fees may reduce earnings . Rate will not decrease through 12/31/24 . After guaranteed date the rate will be a variable rate and is subject to change at any time and without notice .