[feoren]

> You’ll need to answer some questions to verify your identity. These questions come from a public database dating back as far as 20 years.

Wait, I need to verify my identity by regurgitating public information about me? However PayPal scraped up that information, an attacker could as well. This is absolutely security theater.

[neltnerb]

Not only are you correct, their database has wrong info about me that I've had to memorize the wrong answers to in order to prove who I am.

It's not great.

[jibe]

I was the victim of identity theft in the 90s, and I often get questions based on the address, and fake credit accounts the thief opened. Super frustrating.

[EvanAnderson]

Similar scenario here. While my ex-wife and I were separated, pre-divorce, she thoughtfully applied for credit in my name and gave the address where she was living. Now I have to either choose to lie or fail this type of identity verification. I should really take the time to contact the credit bureaus and get it fixed.

[jjeaff]

I'm sure they are using the same type of database that the credit reporting companies provide. Not only does it often contain incorrect information, it sometimes asks me detailed financial questions about my adult siblings. How in the hell should I know what mortgage company my brother has used in the past? And it is NOT my job to contact him and find out so you can cover your ass with fake security theater.

[prottog]

Hilarious, in the sense that I have to laugh because otherwise I would cry.

[nsxwolf]

How did you learn the answers?

[neltnerb]

My last name is unusual enough that I recognized the street names that family had lived on from the set of options.

So not my address, but real ones that extended family members lived at. Just not me.

[sumtechguy]

Guess I am in trouble then if I ever get stuck into something like that. My 'public' information whenever I query it is a blend of at least 3 other people. Of which only one I know. One DB thinks I am married to my mother-in-law.