I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

[iamlost]

An irritating funny that illustrates a variety of things centred around the capability differences of systems and humans...

The COVID lockdown, associated working from home of civil servants, and subsequent reliance on web interactions tossed a curve ball in my direction...

I needed to update some information but kept getting disallowed. Phoned to discuss with actual (very nice, very helpful) government person who discovered there is a flag in the system on a primary identifying PII, a flag that has been there for years likely decades, possibly since the system was initiated. A nine letter term was truncated to eight.

Someone sometime noticed the data error and flagged it but it was neither corrected nor was I notified. As all prior interactions over the years were in person I suppose the real people behind the counter/desk understood the error and simply ignored it. However a computer system is not as flexible aka AI has yet to enter the building...

Normally correction would require a less than half hour in person visit with document proof. Abnormally, however, the current normal requires filling out a web form and uploading scanned documents (perhaps 10 minutes) after which I am assured the situation will be corrected within 25 business days with notification by snail mail.

Providing I didn’t make an error or neglect to include something or other...

[not2easy]

I am undergoing a very similar situation, believe it or not. I am no longer required to file tax forms, my latest return was 2 years ago. Since that time, the department of such tax things changed to a new computerized record keeping method. They have me listed there under the first name and surname used for filing taxes in the 1970s. That name was since changed when I married. So now when they require me to file with their online service to claim my 'economic stimulus' payment I hit a problem. I had never registered with their new system so I have no 'username' or 'password' set up. I tried to register but half way through that process, they recognize me from my drivers license and SS and will not allow me to complete the process because "This record exists". They have my bank routing number for EFT deposit, but of course the name is not the same as they have. No one answers their CS phones. The one active number routes you to recordings. They offered to send me a letter with an identifier to be able to register. I cannot tell whether that worked or not because that ID letter was where I found out they are using my birth certificate name and surname. I have not had any kind of ID or account in that name for several decades.

You have my sympathy.

[aristotle]

I've been encountering this type of problem all my life. In my experience insurance companies and hospitals are the worst. You pay a bill, you have a bank record of the transaction and a photocopy of the check, you think that's the end of the matter, then six months later you get a warning from a bill collection agency that you'll be sued if you don't pay.

[Mark_A]

then six months later you get a warning from a bill collection agency

I had this for a virtual server I used to use, I cancelled the account and then about a year later was chased by a collection agency with all sorts of threats. Luckily I had records of when and how I deleted the account with all bills paid otherwise it could have become quite nasty.

[engine]

I believe these situations are quite common, and I sympathise.
I've been through a number of these so far, and I expect others. It's that moment when shrugging the shoulders is really the only solution.
I have an ongoing situation where, for the last five years, nobody has been able to give the definitive answer. In the meantime, time goes on, and the problem will not go away. What I know is that when it comes to a conclusion, I will be the one to lose out, and there's nothing I can do. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

[lucy24]

Small potatoes by comparison, but ... my town currently has an idiotic jury-duty system where, instead of being summoned for some specific date, you are on call for a full week. On five consecutive evenings you have to call in, or check the website, to see if tomorrow is the day your luck runs out. As we speak, I have done this four consecutive evenings, each time to be greeted with--in small print--the day after tomorrow’s date, followed by a large prominent message that says something like
“You are checking too soon. Check back on the evening before your summons date.”
NO I AM NOT CHECKING TOO SOON. I am doing exactly what I have been instructed to do.

One might think that they never bothered to redesign the page after changing from the one-date to one-week system ... except that I’m pretty sure the online option was only created long after they went over to the current scheduling. I wouldn’t be surprised if the telephone version also says you are checking too soon.

[blend27]

RE: NO I AM NOT CHECKING TOO SOON...

Are you sure about that? :) dont you dare do the phone thingy, disappointing, always, been there pressed #2 on that...

...and then you have to go in :(

[blend27]

but in reality all of this is only 24 seconds ago.... or call it Oldsckool or Main Circus.