I went into the main Halifax bank in the city center to get some cash out over the counter as I'd messed up my pin number 3 times in the machine the previous night. It didn't keep my card, it just blocked it so when I got home I requested a new pin in the mail. I headed to the counter with my card in hand and some ID in my pocket. I explained how I'd put the wrong pin in 3 times the previous night and that I'd like some cash to carry me over till my new pin arrives. She says how much and I state a few hundred pounds, the maximum amount I can get on my card in a single day almost. She says sure, sign this. I sign the slip and she counts the money out and hands it over. Here is a list of the current WTFs (besides me monging up my pin 3x):
- Asked me for no ID besides my now debunct card
- Got me to sign the slip but didn't compare it to anything since I actually haven't signed the back of my card yet
- She didn't notice the card wasn't signed
- Given me the cash with no security questions what so ever
"Have a nice day"
Then as my mind is boggling at these things and I'm about to leave she says "I noticed that you didn't respond to our letter about changing your account to a higher rate one, would you like to speak to my co-worker about that?". I remembered the letter from a few months ago and thought I might as well take care of it then. I go to a tiny office with him (her co-worker) who (with zero interest) states why my current account sucks and how the higher rate one is miles better. I actually looked behind me since he was staring into space over my shoulder and I thought he was reading it off a cue sheet stuck to the wall. When he'd finished and I'd checked that it was all pluses with no negatives I said I'd switch my account.
This is when the WTFs start with him. He asks for my card and taps the account number in. Then he prints out all my details, my name, DOB, address, phone numbers and a slew of other details. Then he slides it across the table and asks me to double check all my details are correct. At this point I could be any mugger off the street and I now have several hundred pounds and the full details of who I just mugged plus I've just changed their account. I'm fairly sure I could of closed the account and withdrawn my funds in full and probably not of been security challenged at all.
Two days later I get a letter about how I should stop using their phone banking service and switch to using their ultra secure online service...