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by tombrossman 3210 days ago
This thing called "Identity Theft" does cause damage, but it's important to remember that if fraudsters trick a bank into thinking they are you, it is the bank's fault for failing to properly verify it was actually you. Doing so would cost them more money and it is much easier to do cursory checks instead.

No doubt fraudsters impersonating you is a hassle and you must spend some time and money dealing with it if you are targeted, but do not lose sight of why it happens and who is ultimately responsible.

1 comments

But you still pay the fees from the banks failings, so it really does hurt everyone even when the bank eats it.
It hurts everyone foolish enough to still do business with the bank after they jack up their fees to pay for it. Or in jurisdictions where a small number of banks are given a monopoly, or competition is otherwise discouraged, it hurts everyone.
Yes and no.

If a "Too Big to Fail Bank" fails, we all pay. If a credit union in Utah messes up, their customers pay. Let banks compete on operational excellence.