On-line banking hassles

[ahinton]

Presumably they run a mobile banking service in certain areas of the Cotswolds?

They don't - and it wouldn't be a lot of use to me if they did, since I no longer live in that area. As I wrote earlier, however, I have no problem whatsoever with their service by phone.

[ahinton]

Coutt's is now nothing more than the swankier end of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and thus well naff.

Coutts (not "Coutt's") is by no means swanky in my experience; the fact that it's technically apart of RBS may be a shame, but Coutts seems to function pretty much independently of that monster bank.

For class, one has one's account at Hoare's Bank.

Does one indeed? Must mention that to Liz next time I see her. You could as easily have mentioned Adam & Co., I guess. Anyway, I presumably don't have class (of the kind to which you refer, anyway) but at least I have a very reliable bank.

Classiest of all, I thought, was a former colleague who had previously worked at the Bank of England: she had an account there, and a most impressive 'Bank of England' cheque-book. The downside was that the Bank of England didn't issue cheque guarantee cards (remember them?), and she often found shops discountenanced - and disbelieving - when faced with a Bank of England cheque...

Ooh, I wouldn't want an account with them, thanks!...

[mangerton]

While I'm with you up to a point, and now have all my deductions listed in front of me in the event of this happening again, to ask a person when they first opened their bank account is pretty self-defeating from a security pov. Nowhere on my account slips is that stated, and I had to go down to ask at my bank branch. Fortunately they were able to provide me with the necessary information; but what other kinds of questions are they likely to unexpectedly come up with? One firm I had to deal with over the phone even asked for my mother's maiden name and date of birth!

And another thing that infuriates me is having to send off my birth certificate to deal with certain instances. It has to be the original, of course - never a copy - and, given that only this month have I lost a cheque in the post, (not the first time), the dependability of the Post clearly cannot be... banked on.

But that's another subject...ahem...

I recently had to send my original birth certificate to get a photo driving licence, and I was greatly relieved to get it back safe and sound.

As far as questions are concerned, the line my (Govt) organisation uses is "This is information that you have given us in the past." I suppose recent bank transactions come into that category. I bought a car a month or so ago, and paid by debit card. The bank's security people wanted to speak to me, to ask several security and bank transaction questions - in the middle of a large car showroom. I must admit it wasn't easy, but better that than several thousand pounds disappearing.

[EdgeleyRob]

Internet banking - best thing since sliced bread.

I agree. Can't remember the last time I went into a bank.

[Anna]

One firm I had to deal with over the phone even asked for my mother's maiden name and date of birth!

Well, unless you were a changeling left on the doorstep in swaddling clothes that should be pretty easy to answer!

[Don Petter]

I recently had to send my original birth certificate to get a photo driving licence, and I was greatly relieved to get it back safe and sound.

I don't see much problem, apart from invconvenience and some further expense, with a birth certificate, as these are not really originals, but certified copies of a register entry, and they can be replaced. I did mention, in another thread, that the Inland Revenue had lost an original P60 of mine, and these can't be replaced. (I had taken a copy.)

[amateur51]

Coutts (not "Coutt's") is by no means swanky in my experience; the fact that it's aprt of RBS may be a shame, but Coutts seems to function pretty much independently of that monster bank.


Does one indeed? Must mention that to Liz next time I see her. You could as easily have mentioned Adam & Co., I guess. Anyway, I presumably don't have class (of the kind to which you refer, anyway) but at least I have a very reliable bank.


Ooh, I wouldn't want an account with them, thanks!...

Especially while the chap in charge gets delusions of competence and calls himself King :smiley

[Serial_Apologist]

Well, unless you were a changeling left on the doorstep in swaddling clothes that should be pretty easy to answer!

Well luckily I remembered it - just - but many to whom I have related this story have told me they have no idea whatsoever what their mothers' maiden names were, Anna, and had never thought to ask.

[mangerton]

I don't see much problem, apart from invconvenience and some further expense, with a birth certificate, as these are not really originals, but certified copies of a register entry, and they can be replaced. I did mention, in another thread, that the Inland Revenue had lost an original P60 of mine, and these can't be replaced. (I had taken a copy.)

Yes, true, but I have the original document, the same age as me, and a certified copy, though legally as good, is not quite the same. I have a number of original documents belonging to my family, and I feel there is something rather special about them.

[amateur51]

Well, unless you were a changeling left on the doorstep in swaddling clothes that should be pretty easy to answer!

If, like me, you were born in North Wales, you have a slightly better chance that most people of your mother's maiden name being the same as your father's surname and thus your surname

[Serial_Apologist]

If, like me, you were born in North Wales, you have a slightly better chance that most people of your mother's maiden name being the same as your father's surname and thus your surname

How do the Welsh avoid inbreeding?

[Resurrection Man]

..... in the event of this happening again, to ask a person when they first opened their bank account is pretty self-defeating from a security pov. Nowhere on my account slips is that stated, and I had to go down to ask at my bank branch.

But that is precisely the point WHY they ask you that question. If it appeared on your bank statement then you could have chucked it away and a fraudster got hold of it out of the rubbish. You might shred all these things but the bank does not know this nor have any guarantee that you have shredded it. You would be even crosser if someone managed to give enough details to compromise your bank account and steal your money.

....but what other kinds of questions are they likely to unexpectedly come up with? One firm I had to deal with over the phone even asked for my mother's maiden name and date of birth!

And what is wrong with that? Again it is something that only you should know. You would have given them that information somewhere along the line. It is called 'security'.

I'm sorry but you're not getting much sympathy from this neck of the woods.

[Serial_Apologist]

But that is precisely the point WHY they ask you that question. If it appeared on your bank statement then you could have chucked it away and a fraudster got hold of it out of the rubbish. You might shred all these things but the bank does not know this nor have any guarantee that you have shredded it. You would be even crosser if someone managed to give enough details to compromise your bank account and steal your money.



And what is wrong with that? Again it is something that only you should know. You would have given them that information somewhere along the line. It is called 'security'.

I'm sorry but you're not getting much sympathy from this neck of the woods.

One day you may well be old and senile, Resurrection Man. When that day comes I really do hope someone repeats to you what you have written in that last line. I find these complications of life increasingly hard to process, true, but it is where those who really can't cope and are on their own find themselves, or one day will, that really draw my sympathies.

[Anna]

How do the Welsh avoid inbreeding?

Same as the English with surnames such as Smith, Brown, Wheeler or Wright. Steer clear of your first cousin Mandy!

[teamsaint]

No, just show that your ancestors came over with the Conqueror, or that you are descended from one of Charles II's mistresses. (It might be OK if your family makes wallpaper)

absolutely.

About time the normans were called to account for trashing the place and turning us all into slaves...........it all looks so nice in the kiddies history books !!