Is you signature always the same?

[Orchidgarden]

I recently tried to get £200 out of the ATM. The message said, 'You have exceeded your daily limit.' (I hadn't, my daily limit is £300)

So I tried to get £100 out instead. Same message.

So I tried £50 and got it. Then tried another £50, only to get the same message.

So I went into the bank, to explain what I wanted.

The receptionist took my personal details - full name, email address, date of birth, address.

Then she asked me to write my signature on a piece of paper, which I did..

Then she said, 'Your signature doesn't match the one we have on file.' The signature was from 2017.

So I said, 'I could write my signature 10 times and it would always look a bit different.'

In the last few years I have been ill and left with a slight tremor in my hand, and my handwriting was always abysmal.

In the end she sorted it, but can I ask, do you always write your signature in exactly the same way?

Yes pretty much always the same, I think that's mostly the point that it's recognisable - I'd imagine they allow for some difference but I've no idea how they'd decide parameters. I can understand if you've developed a tremor it might not be! Worth maybe giving them an updated version or asking if they can put some sort of note on the account?

No. I always feel a bit anxious writing it on a passport application or the back of a debit card, wondering what it'll turn out like. Especially on that horrid slippery surface with a ballpoint pen.

Depends on the circumstances and time of the day. Most of the time it’s just S. Cow, standard and easy to read. However whenever I work on wards as a nurse I sign things a million times a day so it ends up looking like S//// by the end of a shift.

It's not identical, but very similar. Having said that, it's so long since I signed anything I wonder how similar it would be to one I signed a few years back.

I once missed that years ISA as my bank didn't put the cheque through because'the signature was too neat'!

I remember trying to do it properly because I was near to the cut off date 🤦‍♀️

Gosh no. Mine changes every time

Nope, if I wrote it 10 times it would be different every time with probably 3 or 4 significant variations. My signature is almost certainly not the same as it was in 2017 either.

Don't even get me started on those hand held devices where they ask you to use your finger to add your signature. I mean, really, what's the point? Has anyone ever managed to get anything faintly resembling their signature on one of those?

I don't think anyone is bothered about those, they just want a scrawl to show delivery.

No mine always changes and I had a similar situation where I was told my signature didn't match what was on file from many years ago. I think it must be quite common.

Never. I've given up even trying now and just scribble on the screen instead

Yes, my 'financial signature' is always the same - it is there for identifying you.

I sign things differently if I have to sign something like a letter or petition or whatever, particularly if it is being published / shared.

Mines always the same and really neat!

It didn't used to be, but 11 years ago I developed a neurological condition which, amongst other things, destroyed my fine motor function which included using cutlery but also writing.

With treatment (fantastic occupational therapist) I got those abilities back, but I do have to concentrate when I'm writing. So my signature is now very deliberate and the exact same every single time. So much so that the bank commented!!

I'm on the leadership team for my church and therefore a signatory on cheques and also large balance transfers! I had to go to the branch and sign several forms until they agreed it was always me and not just a scanned version of my signature that everyone was taking advantage of!!

Mine has remained the same since 2009.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

not a hope.

Mine's been the same for 30 years. It's not that strange (I used to work in a bank, so have checked a LOT of signatures over the years).

Mines the same each time. I dont think about it, my hand just does its thing. Muscle memory maybe?

Mines all over the place, so much so I officially swapped over to just my initials after one too many cheque didn't match my bank card.

The whole point of your signature is that it's supposed to be the same. It's not just you writing down your name, it's to verify that it is really you.

The whole point of your signature is that it's supposed to be the same. It's not just you writing down your name, it's to verify that it is really you.

Exactly.
I guess this might be a generational thing, as it used to be the only way of getting your money out of the bank (or verifying anything) for decades, whereas adults who are in their 20s (and possibly 30s) have never used cheque books or cash withdrawals at the counters or banks.

Yes, almost identical

Absolutely not as I do it quite infrequently these days, it seems terribly old fashioned now, there are much better and more accurate ways of verifying someone.