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Original poster

Do you think companies should stop using mothers maiden name as a security question

61 replies

notedbiscuits · 23/08/2024 08:09

This is why I believe companies should stop using MMN as security

. Your siblings - including half siblings who you share the same mother have the same MMN
. If your mother has sisters and they have children too - they also share the same MMN
. Mothers who split up with their child(ren)'s father or decide they have nothing to with the child(ren)'s father(s) usually have the same surname as the mum if the mum wants to revert back to her maiden name (if got married) and kids get surname to match their mum's - their MMN is their surname!
. Anyone can go on free websites or have a free trial to find birth registers and if you know the quarter their births are registered - can find MMN with ease.

For companies that insist on a MMN - I use a family surname which is none of the MMNs of my parents or grandparents.

OP posts:
BlueBrush · 23/08/2024 08:29

Lincslady53 · 23/08/2024 08:26

It needs to be a word you can remember maybe 2 or 3 years later, and doesn't change with time. Our business had to be registered with the FCA and the security questions were 'What is your favourite film' and 'What is your favourite book?' We only went on their website once a year, so as I couldn't name a favourite film or book, it is something that changes. So a year later, the only way to remember was to write it down, which ruins the security.

Completely agree. I like it when you can write your own security question.

Lincslady53 · 23/08/2024 08:26

It needs to be a word you can remember maybe 2 or 3 years later, and doesn't change with time. Our business had to be registered with the FCA and the security questions were 'What is your favourite film' and 'What is your favourite book?' We only went on their website once a year, so as I couldn't name a favourite film or book, it is something that changes. So a year later, the only way to remember was to write it down, which ruins the security.

CookingApron · 23/08/2024 08:22

Surely, as the practice of a woman taking on her husband's name becomes less common, it will die out?

Original poster
notedbiscuits · 23/08/2024 08:19

BlueBrush · 23/08/2024 08:17

I still have my "maiden" name, and so I'm going to explain the whole MMN thing to my children and suggest they pick another family surname and stick to it. One of them doesn't have a great memory, so that's going to be a challenge for him. It's also a bit weird because if you're signing up to something you're literally giving false information.

Use a best friend's surname.

OP posts:
BlueBrush · 23/08/2024 08:17

I still have my "maiden" name, and so I'm going to explain the whole MMN thing to my children and suggest they pick another family surname and stick to it. One of them doesn't have a great memory, so that's going to be a challenge for him. It's also a bit weird because if you're signing up to something you're literally giving false information.

ShamblesRock · 23/08/2024 08:17

Many places offer alternatives, but it will probably need to fade out as many will have mothers that didn't marry / change their name.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/08/2024 08:17

My last name is the same as my mother's maiden name. I always use my mother in laws maiden name but you could use any name as long as you can remember what you've used.

LoobyDoop2 · 23/08/2024 08:15

You said yourself, OP, you don’t have to use the real one. It’s entirely in your control.

ShutTheFuckUpCakes · 23/08/2024 08:13

My mother wasn't married to my father, so I have her surname.

She did then marry my stepdad, but didn't change her name on marriage.

So her maiden name is the same as my surname anyway!

Boomer55 · 23/08/2024 08:12

I’ve never used my correct maiden name. I just thought of a name and use that.

BiscuityBoyle · 23/08/2024 08:12

It’s rather old school to use it. Use any word that you can remember, it doesn’t have to be the actual name.

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