BoA and changing account numbers :(

[bada_bing]

I just logged onto my BoA AlaskaAir account for weekend maintainence and

see they have once again issued me a new card in the mail with a new

account number. It seems like they do this at least once a year and it is a

big pain in the rear. I use my AlaskaAir card as my non-bonus category spend

card and have that account number on file for several of my monthly bills

for auto-pay. It is a big ordeal to get the new account info out to all the billing

departments.  I'm not an isolated case, my mother and brothers all

have this issue with their long term BoA accounts. 

I don't understand why BoA has so many pre-emptive security account number

changes. None of my other cards have ever done an account number change

without definite evidence of a security breach. I have had 11 account numbers

for my BoA account in the last 8 years and there hasn't been a case I've seen 

where there was evidence of fraudulent activity. They seem to just do it to mix

things up. It may be somewhat effective as a security tool but it is a huge pain

to deal with as a customer. 

This time will be the last time I update my monthly bills to a new BoA account

number. Next time this happens I'll change the card I use to a different bank and

BoA will go in the sock drawer except for air ticket purchases.

[gdale6]

Would you rather be dealing with a maxed out card do to fraudulent charges?? This is the trade off to their pre-emption of issuing you a new card. This bank is one of the biggest in the world so their exposure for fraudulent activity is that much larger so they will have more instances of compromise.

[Anonymous]

They don't like taking chances. It can be a pain in the arse, but I appreciate it. 

[Anonymous]

I've been with them long enough to know this is the least of my concerns. The automated payments are NOT affected and they let me know this. 

[Anonymous]

They issue me new cards for security reasons every 3 to 4 months. It's ridiculous.

[takeshi74]

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@bada_bing wrote:

I don't understand why BoA has so many pre-emptive security account number

changes. None of my other cards have ever done an account number change

without definite evidence of a security breach.

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Never assume all creditors to be indeitical. For whatever reason(s) BofA has more security issues or is able to identify more security issues than your other creditors.  If that's a dealbreaker for you then you don't have deal with BofA -- your call.  Don't assume that the other creditors don't have security issues just because they don't take such action.