How many security questions should I be asked?

edda

It seems to me that some of the financial institutions are asking more questions each time I ring in with a query in my account.

Yesterday, I was asked 8 different questions to verify who I was. OK - I admit that I failed one (the exact balance on the account). I was ringing from work and did not have all the paperwork on me. But I wouldn't like to give that sort of info out in case anyone overheard it.

I've also been asked 4 security questions when all I want is up to date terms and conditions!

Bearing in mind that I am paying for the call (not many 0800 numbers left out there now) and there is probably a long list of people queuing to speak to an advisor, is this reasonable?

Security is v. important I know, but when does a reasonable number of questions become simply over the top?

poochel

I also find it annoying when you get transferred from person to person, whether in the same department or different one, and have to answer the same security questions each time. I recently called nationwide and had to answer the security questions 4 times!

wolfehouse

i encountered the same thing just this week. they are asking about direct debits and recent transactions. i do believe when i set up the account they asked for my mother's maiden name and my primary school. they never ask me that any more...

Astaroth

You pay for your calls from work? Thats fairly tight

There is no correct answer and it is a lose lose situation for the banks.... if they ask too few then people will cry out if someone is hit by fraud and if they ask too many then people cry out that it is a waste of time.

When I phone up my banking I am asked for acc numb and sort code and then 3 questions (3 random parts of password, "passnumber" plus one other question). If you get something wrong you have to answer another 2 questions. If you want to do something more important than just asking the balance or repeating an existing transfer then you also have to answer 2 more questions.

edda

Sorry - I phrased that badly. I don't pay for the calls at work, only from home. I sometimes ring from work as there's usually more staff at call centres during the day. Evenings and weekends, I've sometimes been told that access to their systems is limited and ring back in 9 to 5 slot.