Bear, Diah and Pasha

There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Posted on the February 9th, 2011 under Daily Living by Papa Bear

The saying “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”, often abbreviated to TANSTAAFL, means that you don’t get something for nothing.

True enough! This has got nothing directly to do with food though. I received a call from a lady claiming that she called from a card center. I asked her what card center and she kept on saying a card center. Then she asked me whether I am still using credit cards and I told her I only use debit card. Debit card is okay too, she said.

I asked her about what this call is all about and she told me that I will get a special card that will give discount for medical, hotels, transportation and many more, for life. So, I asked her about the cost. She said no cost at all. The card if free, no yearly fee, no monthly fee, no maintenance fee and no renewal fee. Sounds to good to be true, right?

Then she asked me for my debit card number. I gave her the 16-digit number. Then she asked me for the 3-digit security number. Do you know what term she used for that number? Card membership number. I told her that there is NO way that I will give anybody that number. So people, never give your 3-digit card security number to anyone. No matter what the person said.

Failing to get the number, she proceeded to ask for my mykad number and I told her that there is NO way that I will simply give anybody that number. And I thought she would give up by that time. I was wrong. She kept on going…

She asked me for an address to send the card. So I gave her my office address. Finally, she was satisfied and repeated that I would get the card that was entitled to me for free with no subscription fee for me to keep for life. Then…

She told me that there will be a one time registration fee of RM 499. I told her that she can keep the card as I was no longer interested in it. She insisted on sending the card over and I told her that she is welcomed to send the card but I will instruct the receptionist to not accept it.

She said thank you and put down the phone… TANSTAAFL!