For not having a favourite subject at school and not knowing where I first went on holiday?

[DaisymooSteiner]

Had to phone the tax credits helpline earlier and when I (finally) got through and went through security details (things like when I took our mortgage out ffs) I was asked if I wanted to set a password for future use. I agreed and was asked what my favourite subject was at school and where my first holiday was. The guy on the end of the phone seemed to find it really strange but I couldn't name either - I liked lots of subjects at school and certainly couldn't name a favourite and I have no idea where I went on holiday when I was 5 months old!! Is that so strange?!!

Oh, and apparently those are the only two questions they have to ask, so I wasn't able to set a password

Just make something up then. That seems a simple solution to me.

They don't really care if maths wasn't really your favourite subject at school or if Madrid was your first holiday or your last. They just ask such questions because they make it easier for people to remember the passwords as there's an association and not just a random word or number.

But if I make something up I won't remember it next time I phone!!

Just interested really if other people can trot out answers to those questions or whether I'm just very strange!

Write it down then.

What odd questions.

Why don't they use Mother's maiden name like everyone else?

I can answer both yes.

I just did that the other day and found it weird as well! Chances of me actually remembering what I said when I have to phone them next time are virtually zero. I suppose they've asked those because usually it's "mothers maiden name" or "name of first pet" questions - presumably more likely to be used for other things and therefore less secure?

LTBR - we know they don't care about the answer, but making something up and remembering that something in a years time is the problem!

Oh and writing it down stops it being secure thus making it pointless as a password doesn't it?

hmmm.
my bank has a habit of doing this kind of thing they say "the 1st and 3rd (for example) for your memorable word which might be your mother's maiden name, for example"
it does make me laugh- not the best for security because a lot of people know my mother's maiden name, but as i chose another type of memorable word, what chance have i got to remember what it was?

i had one (can't remember what for) and you had a choice of 6 memorable questions such as first car, what street did you grow up on and if you lost your password they would ask that question to prove who you were. one of mine was my chicken's name and they always used to laugh when they asked me that!

Freak.

Well write it into a sentence then. Anyway this isn't the point of the op.

Wonders whcih bright sparks in the IT world developed that system

I do have a very odd memory I suppose so remembering it wouldn't be an issue for me. If you asked me five minutes later what I'd told them I couldn't tell you but 5 years later I certainly could.