Letters to the Editor

Women in society
The role of women in today's society has certainly gained influence compared to the women of yesterday, but there is still a long way to go. Society has set men and women apart by labelling them. It is common for men to be seen as strong and women as weak. A common view that wives should obey their husbands still holds true. A look of blissful contentment comes over when a boy is born. It's because women are still considered to be the inferior sex. Certainly, women have more freedom, equality and rights, but prejudice still remains. Both husband and wife work to make ends meet, but expectations are higher from a woman. A woman is expected to be a good wife, a good mother and a good daughter-in-law, irrespective of the contributions she makes to her family and household. Even in broad-minded families if a woman has her own opinion she is asked to be quiet and stay within her limits. They still don't have the freedom of speech and rights to make their own decisions. They are still fighting for equality in the workplace. I think it's high time women are allowed to do whatever they want as I see no reason other than ignorance and insecurity for such behaviour.
From Ms Reema Ahuja
Dubai

 Understand each other
The modern world has begun to portray divorce as freedom. It is in fact failure and it would be much better for us to find the cause and cure rather than allow divorce to complete its destructive effect. It is one of many issues that deeply affect a partner's decision-making and future planning. On such matters, we need to make ourselves heard, rather than conclude that the other person can't hear. People threaten to divorce in the heat of anger, which isn't helpful or fair. You shouldn't bring up divorce as an attempt to punish or scare the other person or simply because it passes through your mind. You need to consider sharing your struggle with your partner. If you do eventually terminate the marriage, a partner will be better able to handle a loss that can be anticipated and planned for. Everyone has the right to know just how high the stakes are. You owe your partner honesty about a matter that so deeply affects both of you. One of the most essential steps is a better understanding and knowledge of marriage. Many of us may not fulfil each others needs and that is when disputes start, which is a part of life and can be tackled according to the situation.
From Mr Mathew Litty
Dubai

Unregistered vehicles
I am shocked and appalled to have read about the number of vehicles on the roads with expired registrations going back three years and fail to understand why the authorities waited so long to take action ("Vehicle registration from any emirate soon", Gulf News, April 27). How do we protect ourselves against these unscrupulous drivers if they are the cause of serious accidents and possibly fatalities? Do their insurance companies not pay due to reasons on their fine print which would include expired registrations? I think the authority should confiscate vehicles with registrations that have expired for over a year.
From Ms C. Francis
Dubai

A part of society
Life is beautiful for us, but it is different for children suffering from the rare disease called autism. There are therapies for such children so that they could talk and communicate with others. In my opinion we should always support such children and be patient with them. Never think that they are ill and let them live a normal life. Let them go to school so that they can blend into society. We should always remember that if God has taken something from us, he has also given us something else.
From Ms Fizzah Fatima
 UAE

Revolutionary travel methods
The Dubai Metro is extremely helpful and after its launch our mode of transportation has changed dramatically. Almost all parts of Dubai are catered to by feeder buses. But, it is extremely unfortunate that Dubai International City doesn't have a feeder bus from Rashidiya Station. Dubai International City has a lot of residents waiting for this service.
From Ms Sumera Ali 
Dubai

 Reader's issue addressed:
 
Credit card theft leaves customer liable
I am writing to bring to Gulf News's attention the appalling service provided by Citibank to my friend and me. To cut a long story short, both of us, while in separate cities on separate dates — namely Moscow, Russia and Cannes, France — had our Citibank credit cards stolen.

We reported this to Citibank in Dubai by phone as soon as we were aware. A Citibank representative advised us to fill in a form, adding that the issue would be investigated. In my case, a police report was also produced from the French police in Cannes and luckily for us, the café from where my bag was stolen caught the thief on camera.

So, I was pretty sure I would get a refund for around Dh10,000 — the amount spent by the thief. In Europe, when this happens, the credit card company does not penalise people until they discover where the fault lies. However, in Citibank's case, they debit the amount immediately and charge you interest, too!

Additionally, they promise to sort the issue within 90 days. I reported my loss on January 11, 2009, in writing, as requested by Citibank. Additionally, they advised us to wait for the statement to report the loss, although they had the record of the theft when I cancelled my card in December, 2008.

After numerous calls and a letter to no avail, I spoke to a very helpful representative at Citibank's customer care who said that I had been informed on June 13, 2009, that I am liable and that there would be no refund provided! I was never informed. I am aghast at this service. I have a Citibank Ultimate card, the premier service. What kind of service is this? I was made to wait for eight months to be told that I am liable when I have the police report, camera footage and the shop also showed me the slip the thief had signed — it is obviously not my signature! My friend, too, was told that he is liable — after five months of waiting. Is there any way we can challenge this terrible customer service?From Ms Patricia Warwick
Dubai

The management of Citibank responds (September 13, 2009):

Many thanks to Gulf News for the help and support provided to inquiring customers and for giving us the opportunity to clarify various provisions and responsibilities relating to credit cards, to our Cardmembers and readers at large.

Please note the following:

A cardmember is required to report his/her credit card as having been lost/stolen — as the case may be — immediately to Citibank, N. A. (Citibank) to enable us to block its unauthorised usage. This is a key element in preventing fraudulent use of the card by virtue of enabling the bank to block usage of the same and in alleviating the cardmember in respect of liabilities incurred thereon, on account of possible attempts by an unauthorised third party at effecting transactions. A cardmember remains liable for the transactions effected through use of the card until the point of reporting it lost/stolen. This is also fully represented in the Citibank General Terms and Conditions, which govern the usage of the Citibank Credit Card(s). Kindly note that the Cardmember agrees to abide by the Citibank General Terms and Conditions at the time of seeking a credit card facility through Citibank.

Furthermore, the practice stated herein is the standard procedure adhered to by other credit card providers in the UAE, and is not a practice which is followed exclusively by Citibank. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, please note that cardmembers have the option to procure Secure Wallet Insurance which provides coverage in respect of fraudulent transactions up to 48 hours starting from the first such fraudulent transaction. However, the said coverage needs to be explicitly subscribed to by a cardmember in order to avail benefits arising out of it.

 - Editor's note: If you have any similar consumer service complaints, let us know at readers@gulfnews.com.