Are credit card sites TOO secure?

I use Paypal for a lot of things, including my rent and groceries. But the debit cards is made sooo poorly that my special secret ID number on the back as completely rubbed off.

Now, I called Paypal and (even though I could provide my SS# and all of my security questions), they would not give me the security code–for security’s sake.

They also will not send a replacement card until 1 month before my current card expires (which is 6 months from now)– for security’s sake.

The only option they’d give me? Cancel my account completely and open a new card meaning I can’t use the money in the account until I get the new card. Which will take 7-10 business days.

Sounds like I’m screwed? All for security. Is this too much?

Answer #1

Yes, I can totally agree. A similar thing happened t me with Bank of America. They wouldn’t replace my debit card unless I came in person. It makes me wonder the point of all those security questions!

Answer #2

No I don’t think that it’s too secure at all. They’ve had cases where relatives have gotten that kind of information in the past and used the family members card fraudulently. My brother could answer any of those security questions and give my SSN because there is only a one digit difference in our SSN’s. It’s not always family and as rampant as identity theft is it’s no wonder they want you to get a new card or come into the bank in person. Anyone could find out what high school you went to. Talk to a friend or relative of yours to find out you first pets name. Dig through your trash to find a SSN. Identity theft was getting increasingly easier and growing in scale, so security measures had to grow with it or be outstripped.

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