Why banning cellphones in banks is crazy

[ghosthunter]

Why banning cellphones in banks is crazy
February 25th, 2013 by Art



You go inside a bank and the first thing you see is that sign saying that, as per city ordinance, you are not allowed to use your phone inside the premises.

It’s a rule that is supposed to cut down on the possibility that someone will be monitoring clients and then contacting accomplices outside to do an ambush anytime they see someone withdrawing a huge amount of cash.

And it’s a stupid rule. Here’s why.

First of all, while clients are not allowed to use their phones in the premises, the same rule is not enforced for the bank personnel, including the tellers. I know it’s moderately tacky to even suggest this, but who’s to say that any communication with the outside world isn’t actually an inside job from a teller?

So if the spirit of the ordinance is to be obeyed, then even the bank itself should not be allowed to make communications with the outside world. Which is stupid.

Second, banning phone use is a form of technological discrimination. Why ban phones but not, say, tablets? Tablets allow you to communicate with the outside world too.

In fact, here’s a big, glaring loophole: there is no ban against using an old fashioned walkie-talkie inside the bank. Try it. Use a walkie-talkie or radio device. If anybody even tries to accost you, you can protest–and rightfully so–that there is no law that bans the use of radios inside the bank.

Third, phones today are so much more than just phones. In fact, I made a case recently for not calling them phones anymore. We use phones to check information, surf the net, play games, read ebooks, and more. Many can barely last a few minutes without checking their devices.

If anything, phones could be the ultimate tool for keeping clients from getting agitated should there be a long line inside the bank. So preventing clients from accessing their phones will only drive bank clients stir-crazy.
So if we allow phones inside banks, then how do we prevent possible inside jobs from happening?

Easy. Identify the root problem. And the root problem is: everybody can see what you’re doing at the teller counter.

The solution, then, can be as simple as propping up dividers so that the people who are waiting for their turn cannot see what’s going on between a client and a teller.



Simple, no? That solves the problem. And it’s very straightforward.

Now you can have bank clients using their phones to the hilt. It won’t matter.

Of course, this leads to the next logical conclusion, namely that bank tellers should be banned from using their phones while they’re serving teller duty. You know, just so to be very safe.

source: Why banning cellphones in banks is crazy | Technoodling

[stickers]

source: Why banning cellphones in banks is crazy | Technoodling

Banning the phone doesn't work out well. You can always go out and make the call or text before your target comes out of the bank.

[ess]

Dito lang sa BPI branch sa Net One, yung mga Preferred Clients nila, ang lakas gumamit ng cellphone. Ang ingay pa.

[roninblade]

Dito lang sa BPI branch sa Net One, yung mga Preferred Clients nila, ang lakas gumamit ng cellphone. Ang ingay pa.

agreed, preferred clients get away with much.

the law really is crazy; just one of those knee-jerk reactions na hindi talaga pinag-isipan ng mabuti.

[vinj]

I agree here. Although if phones are not banned, people doing transactions should still do well enough to be discreet and not annoyingly loud when they use their phones in banks and similar business establishments. At the end of the day, banning phones just ties up one end of a modus and these people will just look for other means to engage in their illicit activiites. It's still that our police have to do their work such as being visible to the public and doing honest-to-goodness patrolling instead of sleeping away in their patrol cars or hanging out together in groups, escorting some politico and his family.

[Altis6453]

I agree here. Although if phones are not banned, people doing transactions should still do well enough to be discreet and not annoyingly loud when they use their phones in banks and similar business establishments. At the end of the day, banning phones just ties up one end of a modus and these people will just look for other means to engage in their illicit activiites. It's still that our police have to do their work such as being visible to the public and doing honest-to-goodness patrolling instead of sleeping away in their patrol cars or hanging out together in groups, escorting some politico and his family.

Welcome to stupidity in government.

Cant' solve bank robberies? Ban cellphone use in banks since its being used to coordinate with crooks who rob banks. Hey, I got a great idea! Why don't we ban vehicles and motorcycles from being parked at the bank's premises as well? It can be used for getaways, for chrissakes! While we're at it, maybe ban jackhammers, bolt cutters, blowtorches, etc?

Too bad since proper investigative work and old fashioned police visibility are too hard on our PNP you can hardly prevent or solve crime. It's like a case of burning the house down to catch a mouse.

[holdencaulfield]

parang wala nakong nakiktang bankong may sign na turn off cellphones or yung mga guards reminding us to turn off cps before entering the bank.
lagi akong gumagamit ng cellphone sa loob ng banko.
ang pinoy naman ningas cogon. same thing goes with mall securities.

[IMm29]

parang wala nakong nakiktang bankong may sign na turn off cellphones or yung mga guards reminding us to turn off cps before entering the bank.
lagi akong gumagamit ng cellphone sa loob ng banko.
ang pinoy naman ningas cogon. same thing goes with mall securities.

There's usually a sign somewhere about cellphones not to be used/turned off while in bank premises. At least that's what I noticed in Makati banks.

With a lot of smartphones and digital devices nowadays, can they really tell whether you're texting your accomplice outside, or if you're just playing a game or reading an eBook? And is that really still the solution?

Can they accost me for playing with my iPod Touch? They can argue with me all day long about No Cellphones, but the Touch isn't a cellphone. Unless I've got wifi in my pocket. So is it really just about a cellphone?

[roninblade]

this is just like the knee-jerk reaction to motorcycle-riders registering their helmets and having registration numbers on the helmets. what the fsck are our lawmakers thinking of? good thing that idiotic idea wasn't picked up.

[ess]

this is just like the knee-jerk reaction to motorcycle-riders registering their helmets and having registration numbers on the helmets. what the fsck are our lawmakers thinking of? good thing that idiotic idea wasn't picked up.

Speaking of overkill kneejerk reactions --- checkout what the building admin of my office building (NET ONE at Ft. Boni) did.
The first Monday after the jewelry heist at Megamall last January, I was surprised to be flagged down by the parking guard. The guard told me that the new building security measures now require me to roll down my window while the sniffer dog sniffs my car and the guard inspects my trunk.
After that I parked my car in the basement parking.
As I entered the elevator room, I was greeted by another guard post! This time the guard demanded that I have my ID attached to a lanyard and visible at all times. They also insisted that my laptop bag be opened and inspected.
I was in a good mood back then so I complied.

Fast forward to today... dinededma na ako nung gwardya sa elevator room. :D