Bank of America’s phone support person just asked me four questions to verify that I am who I am: My name, the last eight digits of my ATM card, my home address, and the amount and date of a recent ATM withdrawal. After I complied, she said that if gave her a one-word verification, the next time they could verify me much faster. And what is that one word that will open my bank account to anyone with a touch-tone phone?

My mother’s maiden name.

When I suggested that an enterprising felon, a malevolent family member, or anyone who has ever worked at any of the 12 million other companies that have asked for my mother’s maiden name would not have much trouble getting my mother’s maiden name, the support person said I could supply another word, but that they would not be able to give me a hint. Apparently having a hint field in their database would cause an information overload with cascading effects that would bring down the world economy.

Besides, aren’t we embarrassed talking about our mothers’ maiden name? [Tags: whines banking digitalID security]

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