NatWest claims points victory

NatWest sent me a new credit card that enables me to collect "points". I did not ask for this card and am not interested in points. I could ignore this were it not for the fact that the bank has told me I now need to use a new credit card number. I find this incredibly inconvenient as I will have to tell various people and change many online details. When I learned this, I phoned customer services and said I didn't want the new card or a new number. They said they had written to me about it and I had now missed the deadline for opting out of the new card. I can't revert to my old number. Customers should have been asked to opt in, not opt out. JW, Tring, Herts Of course they should. NatWest is covered for forcing you to have a card you don't want because, if you had looked on the back of the mailshot and read the questions and answers, it does say that you will be getting a new card number. But if you had read right through the two pages, you would have seen that on the front page it makes the point that your pin stays the same. Lower down, it tells you to phone if you don't want the card. The bank says it really can't retrieve your old number now but, as you have been inconvenienced, is crediting £50 to your account. • Email Margaret Dibben at [email protected] or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU and include a telephone number. Do not enclose SAEs or original documents. Letters are selected for publication and we cannot give personal replies. The newspaper accepts no legal responsibility for advice.