I got a new checking account with a bank (whose name I won't mention right now) I signed up at the end of the day, so it was rushed. So I call them about a week later about something ... and they start asking me strange personal questions. Like ... what's my daughter's name and her age? It's not like she's going to be using the account, this woman already knows my daughter is a toddler. So I told her it was none of her business. And then she tells me if I hadn't signed up at the last minute they would have asked me all this to begin with, and I don't have to tell them now but I should expect them to ask me that, and other personal questions each time I communicate with them, because they're supposed to have that info. Is that crazy, or is it me? This is the first bank account I've had since before 911, so I don't know what's because of the Patriot Act. But this seems to be too much.
2007-12-14 14:30:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
I just wanted to add ... this information is not for verification purposes. They already got TONS of personal info for that purpose when I did the "rush" sign up. This was different ... and strange.
2007-12-14 14:45:05 · update #1
Oh, and LG ... the person who I talked to on the phone who told me all this was the branch manager. I'm not sure who else I would go to.
2007-12-14 14:48:34 · update #2
While working for a bank we would ask personal type questions to better understand your financial needs. I would ask someone the age of their child to see if a fiduciary savings account would be good for them or not. The more the bank knows about you the more then can offer or "sale" to you.
2007-12-14 15:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by Amanda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Are you sure you actually called the bank, or did you mis-dial and call some unscrupulous person?
2. Why were you calling the Bank and speaking to the Bank Manager? Does this bank not have an 800 number for customer service?
3. How can a bank verify information they don't have answers to?
I've never dealt with a bank that asked such questions and you shouldn't either. Close your account and go with another bank.
P.S. Is this a well known bank or is it just a small local bank???
2007-12-14 23:39:28 · answer #2 · answered by JaC6 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they're asking you personal questions, they should have been asking them of you when you opened the account. If they had, then they would ask you to give them the same answers as you did then so they can verify that it is indeed you with whom they are dealing. But, if they did NOT give you security screening questions to answer when they opened the account, something's fishy here.
You need to go back into the bank itself and ask for an explanation and to complete any forms that were not completed because they were "rushed" when you opened the account. The security questions are for your own protection, but the process should be more orderly - and the questions should NOT include questions about your children. The usual questions are such things as what's your father's middle name, what's your maternal grandmother's first name, in what town were you born, what's your pet's name - that sort of stuff, stuff you'd be the most likely to know and not someone else.
2007-12-14 22:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by L.G. 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This the only bank in town? No!! Go find another bank and when you have completed the account satisfactorily, tell the first that you have found an institution which wanted your business , opened your account in a professional manner,asked only the necessary personal questions and welcomed you as a new member.
2007-12-14 22:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by googie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change banks. Go to a new bank earlier in the day and take your time. It's your money and You are doing them a favor by doing business with them, in exchange for handling your money. Do not be badgered into revealing information over the phone.
2007-12-14 22:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by Sonny 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work at a bank and I've never been told to get information like that from any customer so you are right to be alarmed. We asked for mother's maiden name and stuff but nothing having to do with children. I would pick a new bank.
2007-12-14 22:35:19 · answer #6 · answered by Miss October 03 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
They are asking personal questions over the phone to verify it is really you. They purposely change the questions to make it harder to breach the security.
My cable company even asks strange personal questions.
2007-12-14 22:36:47 · answer #7 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Go to BBT cuz the don't ask that. I've never been asked that. I just opened an account last week.
2007-12-14 22:35:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
LOL is my dentist 'supposed' to give me a breast exam?
2007-12-14 22:34:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋