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> didn't believe they were from HSBC because they [cw]ouldn't prove it.

Yup - I've had those:

[Telephone noise}

>Hello, COCM here.

"This is [your bank] - we would like to discuss stuff with you. But first, we need to determine if it's really you".

>Can you prove you are from [your bank]? For example, can you tell me the last two digits of my bank account number? Can you tell me what the largest deposit (oo-er!) was in the last month?"

"No - because we can't be sure that you are you. You could be not-you!".

>Indeed. Same applies.

"But, but - we're the BANK! We wouldn't lie to you!"

>Cough, splutter, goodbye.

[Cue telephone cutoff noises and queries from Mrs COCM about who I was speaking to. She seems to be nicely learning paranoia^W caution from me..]