Bank of America Mutui

Calling this number is unproductive unless you have an established Bank of America account. This phone number is dedicated to Bank of America's mortgage and home equity services. As such, it won't let you through unless you provide them with your account number.

If you don't have an account number, there's another way you can get through, but you'll have to provide your Social Security Number in order to do that. If you can't or won't provide your Social Security Number, tax identification number or a Bank of America account number, the system won't let you through.

Try to tell the system that you don't want to enter your personal information, an one of two things will happen. Either it incorrectly recognizes that action as you not knowing your account number, which sends you back to the previous menu and asks you to provide your SSN. Or, the system tells you that you can't progress further without giving your personal information.

Given that this number is dedicated to people who have home loans in place, it makes sense that you'd need to provide personal information before being allowed to speak with someone. It might be problematic for people who are just looking for information, but the average person would likely be willing to give their SSN if they're far enough along in the process of buying a home to consider getting a mortgage.

That said, I don't agree with putting the entire Bank of America mortgage information behind a choke point. Having a way for people to get some basic information about signing up for a mortgage or the terms it might carry would allow those who don't have easy access to the internet to still have a way to get information.

As the majority of homeowners become millennials and Generation Z, both of whom have mostly had internet access all their lives, this would become less relevant. But with older generations and those who live in rural areas still making up a sizeable chunk of the home-buying market, it's important to have some way for those clients to speak to someone. Not even having basic information on a phone system can freeze them out of the process until they're able to track down information.

Given the nature of the phone number, it's impossible for me to say if I would use this number for assistance or not. The willingness to protect sensitive information and ensure customers don't waste time are both positives and suggest a commitment to customers' well-being. However, there's no way to judge the effectiveness of Bank of America's customer service without giving personal information, making this incomplete advise.