I am paranoid, yes. I've known a few people who've had their identities stolen and it is a nightmare. Therefore, I'm highly protective of my personal information. I'm married to someone who is not so careful. See that little post-it note? He told me once that he does that at work. His company makes them change their passwords every two weeks, and he has grown tired of keeping track. I can see where it would drive a person crazy, constantly coming up with new passwords and then trying to hide them.
So, you can imagine my irritation at the bank today, when I opened up a new account, only to have the bank employee read off all my personal information aloud to confirm it! Hello? Why are you telling everyone in the bank my social security number, address, and husband's name?? It's not like we were in a private office; the desk was right there in the lobby. Soooo irritating! Then she begins asking me all of these security questions: what was the name of the street I grew up on, what high school did I graduate from, what is my mother's maiden name, what is her birthday? Since when do they need all of that info? I wasn't setting up online banking or anything! I practically whispered the information to her, but she kept misspelling my former street name. It was just ridiculous.
And then while I was sitting there, waiting for the ream of disclosure statements being printed out that I would go home and toss in the trash, I overheard another customer come in to complain that her debit card wasn't working. The teller then began asking her all of these security questions: the name of her first pet, her youngest sibling's middle name.........only to discover that her husband set up the joint account and so she had no idea about any of the answers. She couldn't get ahold of him by phone and was becoming increasingly agitated. I was happy to be leaving.
It was all too much for a Monday.
"I am paranoid, yes. I've known a few people who've had their identities stolen and it is a nightmare."
ReplyDeleteI am sooooooo with you, my friend! I too am VERY paranoid about giving out my personal information either aloud or on the Internet. This is one of the reasons why I do NO online banking or bill payments.
"only to have the bank employee read off all my personal information aloud to confirm it! Hello? Why are you telling everyone in the bank my social security number, address, and husband's name??"
UNbelievable! Yet, I've witness that in a bank myself.
Have a super week!
X
OMG a bank did THAT? I would have refused to answer, and definitely would have asked WHY they could possibly need to know all of those things. There is NO excuse for not protecting your information and anyone in banking should know that!
ReplyDeleteit grinds my gears when people read those things aloud too. there's no reason for it.
ReplyDeleteRon - I don't do online banking either. The last thing I need is for the internet to be down and I can't pay my bills. Plus, the whole security issue!
ReplyDeleteMe - I have had run ins at banks before and have found that if you refuse to give them info, they will happily tell you to take your business elsewhere. Banks are about the worst when it comes to customer service. I did a post a few years back about some intimidation I suffered at a bank (never went back there again).
Lime - It kills me how they act oblivious to what they are doing! Hello???
We have to change our passwords monthly, and they check to see that we don't duplicate any previous password. So I have a list of twelve that I use, loosely 'keyed' to the month (eg, for December I might use 'xmas', or something like that); then the last 4 characters are the year. If they require me to use a 'non-alpha-numeric' in my password, I'll just throw in a random one, or one that seems to 'fit'. . .
ReplyDeleteNo wonder he has a problem remembering such abstract passwords. Why not something that makes sense, like un4gettable? (and how ironic is that one?)
ReplyDeleteMy banks have always been very discreet about personal information and security checks. I can't believe your banks let everyone in earshot hear it all. Why not just use a loudspeaker?
I "bank" at a credit union. I've had some bad service at a few banks, but I let them know I wasn't willing to settle for their type of service and I would go elsewhere. There is no lack of option around here, so I think it's worth searching for good service.
ReplyDeleteCraig - Are you able to memorize your passwords with that method? I'd have problems; I can barely remember my cell phone # and have no clue as to anyone else's # in my house. That part of my brain is on a permanent vacation.
ReplyDeleteNick - LOL, yes, it definitely feels as though a loudspeaker is being employed when you are in a quiet bank and the employee is speaking in a regular tone.
Me - Sadly, I'm to the point where I'll give up customer service if it means I'll get some interest and no user fees.
Yeah, been there. Last time I almost switched banks I put the kibosh on it when they started a similar interrogation and hesitated to move us to a place with some privacy when I requested .... See, I'm ornery like that.
ReplyDeleteX - I don't know why I didn't say something. I was struck by a mellow mood, I guess.
ReplyDeleteWell, believe it or not I understand. There are times when I know I should put on the ornery but fail to do so ...
ReplyDeleteHappens when I get too much coffee ....
I'm the same way. I've actually had to stop myself before from writing down my Social Security number to give to the teller rather than saying it aloud.
ReplyDeleteHi Bijoux,
ReplyDeleteI kid you not; I do not take confidential info lightly. ID theft is a big nighmare.
I shred everything that is old that contains any type of numbers,addresses or names.When my FIL passed away 2 years ago, I had the mindboggling task of organzing his papers and shredding the older stuff.
You see; I've been there & done that...
BBoy - I think I've been to banks where they did have me write it down! I'd prefer that, and then take the slip of paper with me.
ReplyDeleteBarb - I shred most things, esp. after my neighbor had her paper recycling stolen once.
We've had credit card info stolen twice in just two weeks. Luckily, the banks caught it in time. Just insane.
ReplyDeleteCool - Not cool! Glad it was caught in time!
ReplyDeleteI go in spurts where I actually forget my SS number, and as you might imagine, I've had to start using it for documents and other things of late, so the temptation to jot it down on a note and tuck it in my wallet has been strong, but I can't bring myself to do it for the very reason you say. It's that feeling that compels me to practically whisper a customer's phone number or email back to them when they have to give it to me to complete a transaction or order. I don't want anyone around us knowing their info!
ReplyDeleteFADKOG - Thank you, Book Whisperer!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be worth saying something to the bank manager about the lack of confidentiality. I am super careful about that sort of thing at work - I stop phone messages if the door opens, close down the screen every time I walk away from it, turn papers upside down. Don't want to risk a HIPAA violation lawsuit!
ReplyDeleteAgent - I do not envy you that task of patient confidentialty.
ReplyDelete