I haven't seen this mentioned yet, so I guess it's pretty new. I called to check the balance of the American Express Optima Platinum card using the automated phone system. After entering the card number, it asked for my mother's birthdate. I was so shocked that I just hung up. I tried to think of how they would even know my mother's birthday. Then I remembered that new cards had just arrived but I had not activated them. I thought if I activated them, then the automated system would return to more normal security prompts. After entering the card number, guess what? "To better increase security, we would like to capture your mother's birthdate. Please enter in the following format..." There was no automated option to bypass this. Again I just hung up. I'm all for better security, but this one strikes me as a little off. As of now the cards remain unactivated.
Amex asked me for the mom's birthday, too. I didn't think much of it, seems like lots of companies are straying away from just mom's maiden name. I remember either my bank or an online payment service (somebody online, anyway) had the question of your youngest sibling's middle name. That's a pretty good one, IMHO. You guys ever seen the comedian on Comedy Central, he has this act where mentions that he has to give the CC company a question that they must ask him each time he calls to verify his identity--he tells them each time to ask him, "What are you wearing?" In turn, he would answer back to the CSR, "I don't think that's appropriate!" to verify his identity. It's a thought...
I have a password on my utility accts and Mastercard. There is no hint, they just ask you what the word is. There is no way anyone ( other than myself ) could guess the P/W.
Is the password, BOSCO? That was GEORGES (not our GEORGE) passcode on Seinfeld. He thought no one would guess. Kramer came close...I think.
SO IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR MOTHER'S D.O.B. you cancel the card??? Call a "REAL" person...tell them that is NOT AN APPROPRIATE QUESTION!!! Tell them my mother would KILL me...LITERALLY!!! (even if it is NOT true)
I'm also all for better security, but going through the Spanish Inquisition every time you want to use your card is silly.
When I called to activate the card, they gave me a choice my mother's maiden name or birthdate. They told me each time you call to access your account on the phone, they will ask you this password. But, I had a choice, they did not tell me it had to be my mom's birthdate.
