There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not nee

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 9, 2012
DBS debit card
'There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not need.'
MR CHIA CHEE KEONG: 'After the recent ATM security breach, DBS Bank sent me a new ATM debit card instead of an ordinary ATM card, claiming the former had more security features. The terms and conditions seemed to imply that the bank had the right to impose charges in the future. I do not need a debit card but was forced to use it because the bank required my original card to be replaced.
I had to visit a DBS branch to get an ATM card. Why did the bank issue me with a debit card to begin with? There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not need, and making it troublesome to cancel them.'
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/...ry_786702.html
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Agreed: the bank can earn more commission $$$ if the customer spends with the debit card, however, not all customers understand the risk they undertake holding a debit card (similar to credit card in checkout payment procedure) as goods can be purchased at the holders expense without the need for a secret password in the instance of the card being lost or stolen. (This is unlike an ATM card which is almost totally useless to any holder who doesn't know its unique 6 digit (or so) pin number)- thus the danger of inexperienced users holding on to debit cards.

Whilst the added security features might protect DBS bank from cloning/ other card fraud, DBS has in the provision of unsolicited debit cards to savings account holders compromised the security of its depositors, in providing without sufficient discretion, its customers with unsolicited debit cards instead of the usual ATM card.

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Response at:
14Apr2012: 'Customers who still prefer ATM cards can visit any branch to replace their debit cards.'
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At:

A1:

10Apr2012: There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not nee