Banks in the US also work relatively well. The problems happen when somebody - anybody can find your name, date of birth and ssn from the internet. With these 3 pieces of information, they can call any bank and pretend to be you. That is why banks jump through hoops to verify your identity. That is where questions pop up like
1. What is your mother's maiden name that you gave us when you opened the account
2. What is the phone number listed on your account - so that we can verify that it is really you.
And when all else fails.
3. Banks ask you to go to a local branch with your id before they will unlock your account.
That is what happened with the author in this case. However he thinks that just because he is calling - the banks know that it is him when the bank can never be sure.
1. What is your mother's maiden name that you gave us when you opened the account
2. What is the phone number listed on your account - so that we can verify that it is really you.
And when all else fails.
3. Banks ask you to go to a local branch with your id before they will unlock your account.
That is what happened with the author in this case. However he thinks that just because he is calling - the banks know that it is him when the bank can never be sure.