The last time I saw this style of marketing was the telecoms back years ago when they were slamming customers; that involved automatically giving people new services, and if the customer did not cancel, they then continued with the new service and the new fee structure.
Today a family member got something in the mail from BMO Mosaik Master card that read:
Complete and return this form today to continue benefitting from the BMO Mosaik MasterCard CardAssist Plus Service without interruption
Note the key words ‘continue‘ and ‘without interruption‘. Also note the entire package was in a pull apart envelope thing designed just like the kind of serious confidential mailing that is used for Bank Card pin numbers, or new credit cards.
There is one problem …. said family member does not have the CardAssist product, whatever that is. Yet response is required to ensure no interruption! On reading the small print, family member has been set up ‘free’ for two months until August 24th, 2008. I think no payment is required for the service if no response is sent in, but to be honest the package was so convoluted and confusing, I will be checking in September to ensure that it is in fact cancelled.
This is just awful marketing of the worst 1990’s kind. That card company has millions of customers. Clearly the the intent is to have x% of customers send this package back in just so they are not interrupted in their service, and the Bank will gain by $39.99 annually in new fees.
New marketing, and customer expectation has moved on and its sad to see that there are some old style marketers still out there. Time for BMO to get a new agency methinks.
Bankwatch 
I received the same letter and just about mailed it but had a last minute gut feeling that I was never part of the card assist program. This was confirmed when I called BMO. Very sad to see my long-standing bank pulling such a dishonest scam. Thanks for your post.
I have to admit when I got the letter, I wasn’t even sure it was legit – asking me for my mother’s maiden name on a renewal when I never subscribed in the first place.
Am I missing something here;
Does this mean that BMO Master card will not assist you when your Master card is stolen or someone tries to make a new card in your name etc etc unless you sign up for “MASTERCARD CARD ASSIST PLUS” . I guess it is time to find a company that will.
I received the same thing, but your discussion about it made me take a closer look. I, too, feel this is a dishonest way of doing/getting business. Furthermore, I was unable to find much information online from BMO or MasterCard regarding this program. This needs to be addressed. BMO has been getting red marks from me lately on many different points.
I just received the same letter for a Visa account from TD. Looks like it’s just not BMO customers getting targeted.
I was getting voice messages from somebody @ BMO Card assist to call them at this 1 800 # for an important communication message. I could hardly understand the message but after getting several voice messages I called the better business bureau and they advised the # was indeed from BMO Card Assist and gave me a contact # to complain to. When I called I was put on hold so I will just keep ignoring them.
BMO has also completely changed their Mosaik Gold – they have removed half the benefits that existed on the Westjet Gold card. I will soon be switching to another bank.
BMO is very much aware of the negative effect this campaign has had on customers. They are not concerned. BMO is relying on the fact that most customers will quitely accept the changes. BMO Mosaik has made it very clear that their concerns do not involve customer impact.
Card Assist is not a BMO product, but a product of one of its marketing affiliates, Carlson Marketing. If you do not wish ever to be solicited by them, simply call BMO MasterCard and ask to be opted out of any direct marketing.
It takes about 2 minutes for an agent to opt you out and within 1-3 months (not sure the exact timeframe) all affiliated offers and such stop. No agent will ever give you a hard time about opting out.