Whilst I totally accept that security is of the utmost importance to protect us all, I think it can be very frustrating
Today, I received an end of year statement from my Building Society showing me that I had got 37pence interest for the whole year, so I decided I might as well draw the balance out and enjoy it, so I phoned and this is what I was asked:-
Account Number
Your full Name
Your house Number and post code
Your Mother's maiden name
Your first pets name
What was the last transaction on your statement
Your pin number
By this time I was getting a bit hot under the collar, so I said do you want my inside leg measurement
Do fellow members agree with this, or is it a bit OTT
Any way I was told I would receive a cheque (my money) within ten days

willowsend wrote:

Whilst I totally accept that security is of the utmost importance to protect us all, I think it can be very frustrating
Today, I received an end of year statement from my Building Society showing me that I had got 37pence interest for the whole year, so I decided I might as well draw the balance out and enjoy it, so I phoned and this is what I was asked:-
Account Number
Your full Name
Your house Number and post code
Your Mother's maiden name
Your first pets name
What was the last transaction on your statement
Your pin number
By this time I was getting a bit hot under the collar, so I said do you want my inside leg measurement
Do fellow members agree with this, or is it a bit OTT
Any way I was told I would receive a cheque (my money) within ten days

Not over the top at all Willow, good job they weren't asking me the same questions because a slightly different answer would emerge! The world now has become ultra nosey and I come from the MYOB generation, whereas today's generation expect to tell anybody their personal details. The UK have a terrible history of losing the details of their Data Bases and millions of pieces of personal information have been transmitted all over the world for others to exploit.

Willow I know these questions are a pain but I have worked in insurance for many years and you would not believe how difficult it is to actually pass security. getting agitated with things only raise suspicion. I have had many calls from people stating they are the policy holder only to find out they are actually family members or friends trying to obtain informaion. Even though the caller may have passed the security it is the resonsibility of the operator/customer service advisor to ensure they are speaking to the policy holder because if they give info to the wrong person they are in breach of Data Protection. The fault lays with the opertor, the company and the operator will be fined. So I don't think it is over the top when your job and your finances are at stake. One has to be sure you are speaking to the right person. You would not believe the tricks people try and all the while the operator has to be alert even when the data protection has been passed. Another thing to remember is all calls are recorded for your own protection. So next time you call just real off the answers and life will be so much easier. I am so glad I am out of that enviornment now.

PS FORGOT TO ADD: name and address sit standardad in any call - security will be up to 3 questions our office when the whole hogg and asked 3 questions - the bank generallonly ask two qestions and of course if you are the ph o the owner than you have nothing to fear. You should never be asked your password or pin number or anything not even when you report your card stolen these two security id's ae onl for you.

oddball wrote:

Willow I know these questions are a pain but I have worked in insurance for many years and you would not believe how difficult it is to actually pass security. getting agitated with things only raise suspicion. I have had many calls from people stating they are the policy holder only to find out they are actually family members or friends trying to obtain informaion. Even though the caller may have passed the security it is the resonsibility of the operator/customer service advisor to ensure they are speaking to the policy holder because if they give info to the wrong person they are in breach of Data Protection. The fault lays with the opertor, the company and the operator will be fined. So I don't think it is over the top when your job and your finances are at stake. One has to be sure you are speaking to the right person. You would not believe the tricks people try and all the while the operator has to be alert even when the data protection has been passed. Another thing to remember is all calls are recorded for your own protection. So next time you call just real off the answers and life will be so much easier. I am so glad I am out of that enviornment now.

You are quite right in what you say Berni and I can understand why so many questions are necessary. Unfortunately briefcases have been left on trains by mistake which have Data on them and Parlimentarians have left theirs on taxis. We then have the hackers to deal with and many Data Bases have been hacked and valuable data lost to whoever is going use them. Encryption also seems to be a problem with some companies not encrypting properly, would we be better to go back to paper files to save us all from the criminal elements of the world?

I'd be a bit suspicious about the phone call if you were asked for your pin number. That should never be asked for or revealed.

Scunnered wrote:

I'd be a bit suspicious about the phone call if you were asked for your pin number. That should never be asked for or revealed.

Absolutuly right Scunnered never reveal passowrd or pin no to anyone on the phone.