Sky Muppetry

VERYinterested

I just rang there to cancel ESPN and I was asked what my password was. I couldn't remember what way it was set up a year ago, so I asked what the security question was, "Sorry Sir, we can't give you a prompt!" So I asked how we could proceed. "I'll set up a new password for you" says the helpful chap.

Me: "But wouldn't it make more sense from a security point of view if I was asked the security question?"

Him: "No, it could be someone impersonating you"

Me:"But if this is someone impersonating me, you have just changed the password and the real me could ring up and be refused entry to account"

Him: "Ah yes, but they wouldn't know your date of birth"

Me: "You'd be surprised, I'm quite sure it'd be easier if you just asked people to answer the original security question and the fact that I gave you my date of birth, verified address etc, would you not be comfortable giving me a prompt, like what is your mother's maiden name?"

Him: "No, Sir, this is the only way we're allowed to do it, what do you want to change the password to?"

Me: "Ok, now after you've done that I'd like to cancel ESPN please"

Him: "Ok, just transferring you to one of my colleagues...."

:eek: Strange information protection on offer in Sky!

Minstrel27

What is the point of the security question if they wont ask you it?

VERYinterested

God only knows. Since I finished the call I checked My Sky and there it is in my profile: Security Question: Mother's Maiden Name, which I offered to him, but he said it wasn't correct!

John mac

were you talking to sky? :cool:

I had something like that happen to me also.

Booms

Maybe you were supposed to tell him HIS mother's maiden name?

Tarabuses

I can't see the point of them asking for a password if, when you get it wrong, they change it to whatever you want

VERYinterested

It still stumps me thinking of it today. Bizarre. The only thing I can think of in hindsight was that I have a password for My Sky which is not my mother's maiden name. But if he had told me what it was he was after, I could have helped him. The fact that he wouldn't prompt me didn't help anybody. A bit of a jobsworth I think. Ridiculous carry on.

PyeContinental

This kind of nonsense is typical of the "computer says no" society we live in today, where procedures which are blatantly illogical are adhered to rigidly - especially the ones which seem to pervert the actual intention of the procedure. The Indian helpdesk workers seem to enjoy those ones the most.