Tax Credit Helpline - Best Security Question Ever

So….

I send in a TC689 which the advisor acknowledges receipt of

I confirm my client’s name, NiNo, address, d.ob

I confirm my name, address and profession

I am then asked what colour my first car was

I questioned this and it was re-phrased

What colour was my client’s first car

If anyone can top that…

colour of underpants..?  Bet it’s red knowing you!

another one for the employment tribunal…

Was that on the main helpline or the advisers line?

Victoria
LITRG

The main helpline, got the numbers mixed up, never again.

I shudder to think how many well meaning people have had to go through the same rigmarole to help vulnerable friends and relatives

They really seen to go out of their way to not deal with people sometimes.
About a year ago I rang about my own claim which is paid into my partner’s account and because I didn’t know the account number they wouldn’t talk to me even though I was named on the claim!!

If they really must have this type of security question, I think the one about the car colour is not so bad as some others.  After all, the information can only have come from the claimant who can (should?) therefore be expected to know it.

I think the one I have found most idiotic is to expect anyone to know their employer’s tax reference number.  It is not something that has to be provided on the claim & most people will only see it (if at all) on the P60.

But the whole system is very frustrating - & upsetting when you’ve listened (as I have) to a claimant in tears because they can’t give the correct anwser to some obscure query that no-one in their right mind would bother to have remembered.