What Exactly Is T-Mobile Cellular "Verifying" -- Any Ideas???

[snot]

My boyfiend and I have cel phones with T-Mobile. We're on a plan where we buy blocks of minutes in advance, usually using a credit card in an on-line transaction.

The last time each of tried to do this, the transaction did not go through. When we spoke with T-Mobile to try to straighten things out, we were each told the same thing: that we had to go through a one-time "verification" process, that T-Mobile was "randomly" selecting transactions to subject to this requirement, and that the purpose was to protect from fraud.

I told her that this had better not have anything to do with any kind of government monitoring, because if it did, I would consider my Constitutional rights to have been violated and I have no interest in doing business with any company that cooperates with any such violation. I was assured that this procedure had nothing to do with anything like that but was purely a fraud-prevention effort.

It still didn't make sense to me, but I'd already spent 3 hours on the phone trying to get through to a human to get some minutes on my cel phone, so I went along with it.

The verification process consisted of two questions. First they mentioned several past addresses and asked us to indicate which one was in fact a correct past address associated with our credit card account. I can't remember the second question; it seemed trivial and innocuous.

They've already got all my other contact info and social security number, of course.

I still can't figure out a legitimate reason for them to require this "verification".

One thing that was weird was that I had to replace my credit card within the last year, and the past address they asked me about was NEVER associated with the card number I'm currently using.

For another thing, if this is a fraud-prevention effort, why is it one-time only? Couldn't someone else steal my phone or credit card at any time in the future?

For another thing, what they heck kind of fraud could we be talking about here? I am using my own credit card, in my own name and address, to purchase minutes for my own cel phone, also in my own name -- both are and always have been under the EXACT same name and address. Who uses a credit card "fraudulently" to purchase minutes for the person who owns the card?

Has anyone else had this experience? Or have any inside scoop?

[kiahzero]

1. I think your concern is unwarranted

The verification process consisted of two questions. First they mentioned several past addresses and asked us to indicate which one was in fact a correct past address associated with our credit card account. I can't remember the second question; it seemed trivial and innocuous.

That's actually remarkably similar to the questions you're asked when obtaining your once-a-year credit card report. They are basically trying to affirm that the person using the card is the same person that's actually recieving the purchases (in this case, the cell phone service). One way of doing that is asking you to provide something they have from your credit report, that you would know, and an identity thief wouldn't.

With the NSA taps still an issue, your concern is understandable, but I don't think you really have anything to worry about in this specific case.

[AutumnMist]

2. Basically

even though you guys have purchased minutes, they are verifying who you are and they are going back through your history for more "payment" verification then anything else. They want to make sure your credit cards will still be in your name, you will still have verifiable addresses, etc. Basically its like equity via history....and when it comes to cash...most companies make sure that they have current and viable information. :)The good thing about it is fraud is much harder when they want specifics. The joy of the new tech world!

[Robbien]

3. Yes, it is the new procedure for Identity Theft protection

All banks, investment firms, credit card cos, telecos, etc were advised to add a verification procedure on their customer accounts because so many personal records have been stolen/lost across the country.