Do you know when you opened your bank account?
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Internet is the only thing I've stopped paper statements for. I'll remember your situation if I ever think about quiting the others!
I only have second hand information but I gather Natwest didn't care about the fact my dad had a file full of statements after he failed the "opening date" question. Then again he could have also given innaccurate answers to the other questions asked.
People of OcUK, why, when you have just been told that this is used as a security question, would you then post the answers on the internet for the whole world to see?
Coming soon to a thread near you: "What's your mother's maiden name?"
Coming soon to a thread near you: "What's your mother's maiden name?"
That was pretty rubbish of them, surely they could have asked him another security question if he couldn't remember.
It does amaze me sometimes how difficult it is to prove yourself for security, yet somebody can assume my identity and make fraudulent payments at ease.
It does amaze me sometimes how difficult it is to prove yourself for security, yet somebody can assume my identity and make fraudulent payments at ease.
To help you guys understand why bank security is the way it is, and why that question may have been asked...
The purpose of the security is to separate the right customer from a professional (or amateur) fraudster, and also from people close to the customer - ex-partner, stepdaughter etc who should not have access to the account.
If the normal questions cannot be answered then some banks in some cases will ask what seems like esoteric questions that only the account holder will know.
On the other hand no matter what information someone calling the bank has, the bank will not want to use that information. It's far more difficult to answer specific questions the bank asks than it is to give the bank information that 'only the account holder will know'. Quite simply because fraudsters will attempt to collect as much information about someone and then attempt to browbeat their way through security using it. Some fraudsters are very good, and they'll appear to be an angry customer, and one who is justifiably angry because of ridiculous security procedures.
I opened my account on the 19th of November 2004.
The purpose of the security is to separate the right customer from a professional (or amateur) fraudster, and also from people close to the customer - ex-partner, stepdaughter etc who should not have access to the account.
If the normal questions cannot be answered then some banks in some cases will ask what seems like esoteric questions that only the account holder will know.
On the other hand no matter what information someone calling the bank has, the bank will not want to use that information. It's far more difficult to answer specific questions the bank asks than it is to give the bank information that 'only the account holder will know'. Quite simply because fraudsters will attempt to collect as much information about someone and then attempt to browbeat their way through security using it. Some fraudsters are very good, and they'll appear to be an angry customer, and one who is justifiably angry because of ridiculous security procedures.
I opened my account on the 19th of November 2004.
Caporegime
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- 18 Oct 2002
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It's not an excuse Halk, not least because Banks make zero attempt at all to prove who THEY are.
ANYONE can call you and ask all these questions saying "sorry, we have to be sure", there is no recourse for someone doing this to you, pretending to be the bank and then stealing your money, the bank will blame you when the bank has NOTHING in place to make it easy to prove its your bank calling.
M&S CC card I have, the constantly cancel payments for fraud reasons, phone up and ask if I made it, but it could be anyone.
Its really simple, bank calls you, asks you to call number on the card, on their website, whatever a known for instance HSBC number, and they give you an extension to call back on, for free no matter where you call from. It's that simple, they tell you they want to talk, you phone a known HSBC number and get straight back through to the same person, no confusion.
This is the thing that irks me, M&S ask questions that I can't possibly remember(i'm not the main account holder for one thing), but refuse to make any effort to prove who they are AND they will screw you for giving your details out to anyone else, its insane, completely insane.
How many people are giving away their details to the wrong people because someone phones and randomly asks for details to prove themselves, its probably a huge source of bank fraud and the banks do smeg all to fight it, meanwhile making your life more difficult.
Hell, a second pin number for your account where YOU can ask them for any three digits, or a password, or both and if the bank can't supply it, don't talk to them.
ANYONE can call you and ask all these questions saying "sorry, we have to be sure", there is no recourse for someone doing this to you, pretending to be the bank and then stealing your money, the bank will blame you when the bank has NOTHING in place to make it easy to prove its your bank calling.
M&S CC card I have, the constantly cancel payments for fraud reasons, phone up and ask if I made it, but it could be anyone.
Its really simple, bank calls you, asks you to call number on the card, on their website, whatever a known for instance HSBC number, and they give you an extension to call back on, for free no matter where you call from. It's that simple, they tell you they want to talk, you phone a known HSBC number and get straight back through to the same person, no confusion.
This is the thing that irks me, M&S ask questions that I can't possibly remember(i'm not the main account holder for one thing), but refuse to make any effort to prove who they are AND they will screw you for giving your details out to anyone else, its insane, completely insane.
How many people are giving away their details to the wrong people because someone phones and randomly asks for details to prove themselves, its probably a huge source of bank fraud and the banks do smeg all to fight it, meanwhile making your life more difficult.
Hell, a second pin number for your account where YOU can ask them for any three digits, or a password, or both and if the bank can't supply it, don't talk to them.
At the moment banks are paying out when people give out their details to fraudsters. That's a lot of the reason why the little security devices are around.
Anyone who calls you from a bank should not ask security questions relating to accounts or specific security questions set on your relationship. Instead personal questions should be asked - e.g. post code, DOB. Things that are available on the electoral register and things that don't place you at risk. Most banks do this, not all, but they all should in my opinion. Additionally on an outbound call most banks will determine it to be higher risk so they won't do things like a new standing order or a bill payment or a change of address.
When you call the bank it's assumed you trust who you are speaking to, so security is higher and the things you can do are more wide ranging.
When you get a fraud call because of your credit card that's the bank saying that since they're liable if it's a fraudulent transaction they're not happy for it to go ahead without your authority.
As for banks doing smeg all? I don't agree.. banks are in a difficult position, every time they do something to tighten security an army of 40+ arses decides to go off on a tirade about how security is unnecessary etc.
If someone came up to you on the street and asked for your PIN number and security codes you wouldn't give them out. Why do people do it on phone calls?
Anyone who calls you from a bank should not ask security questions relating to accounts or specific security questions set on your relationship. Instead personal questions should be asked - e.g. post code, DOB. Things that are available on the electoral register and things that don't place you at risk. Most banks do this, not all, but they all should in my opinion. Additionally on an outbound call most banks will determine it to be higher risk so they won't do things like a new standing order or a bill payment or a change of address.
When you call the bank it's assumed you trust who you are speaking to, so security is higher and the things you can do are more wide ranging.
When you get a fraud call because of your credit card that's the bank saying that since they're liable if it's a fraudulent transaction they're not happy for it to go ahead without your authority.
As for banks doing smeg all? I don't agree.. banks are in a difficult position, every time they do something to tighten security an army of 40+ arses decides to go off on a tirade about how security is unnecessary etc.
If someone came up to you on the street and asked for your PIN number and security codes you wouldn't give them out. Why do people do it on phone calls?
I suppose it is the current equilibrium between inconvenience/cost and fraud losses.
The trouble I have with the little security devices is despite evidence to the contrary they claim perfect security to push the burden of proof on you.
My current account. About 2 weeks ago.
Luckily for me I switched from RBS to Santander.
On the only two occasions I can remember the bank calling me I've insisted that I call them back before handing out details.
Luckily for me I switched from RBS to Santander.
On the only two occasions I can remember the bank calling me I've insisted that I call them back before handing out details.
Soldato
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I can remember it down to the year and within a 3-months window of that year. So that's not really a vague answer but it's not an accurate answer either.
If I was asked when I first dated a girlfriend, then I could answer that to the exact day as that's a lot more memorable to me than opening a bank account.
If I was asked when I first dated a girlfriend, then I could answer that to the exact day as that's a lot more memorable to me than opening a bank account.
I opened with Lloyds on 24th May 2004, left them in 2009 after a long, long history of problems. The one that concerned me the most was them sending my debit card and new pin to my previous address, but hadn't lived there since 2001.. Asked them how the hell they did that as they only have one address for me and their answer was "don't know". Cheers then!
Associate
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Yeah it was nearly 20 years ago and I can pretty much name the month...
