Life lesson - In case you're not aware

Jesse_C wrote:
The last time we were headed out of state, my wife tried to call one of our gas credit card companies. Even though we each have a card in our own names, they refused to accept her notification without speaking directly to me. We had been doing business with this company for over 20 years and felt this was pushing the limit for reasonability. After some further discussion with their company representative we cancelled the card.

Why? Your bank takes measures to protect you and for that you cancel them? Is there a reason you couldn't or wouldn't talk to them? Odds are you are the primary and she is an authorized user. Authorized user does not "own" the account and cannot make changes without the owner (primary cardholder) , an authorized user is only allowed to use it. Often it's policy that the bank is required to speak to the primary. It's a security measure to protect you. If you knew how many times an estranged spouse, child or someone that stole the card called in to change some info to steal from the primary cardholder perhaps you would take a different position. What if someone stole your card and claimed to be your wife and they let them make changes without notifying you. Then you'd be blaming the bank for not protecting you. Length of relationship has nothing to do with measures put in place to protect you. Unless your neighbor owns the bank I think it's a bit absurd to expect a customer service rep to "know" you and your wife.