Phone number linked to account

UK Feedback & Ideas
1

I have had a number of people express alarm that others have found them on the Monzo app because they have their phone number.

I myself don’t particularly care, but is this not a significant security issue? On many levels?

If I had not shared my name with someone who had my phone number, and suddenly they are able to see my full name and all my bank details, I think I would have good reason to be very upset.

Worse, is that this is the default! And I’m not even sure how you turn it off.

Has no one raised this before? Can you please comment on this?

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2

Profile Icon > Settings > Privacy and Security > Profile Privacy > Toggle off ‘Phone Number’

It’s been an option for as long as I can remember & no, its not a security issue.

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3

They don’t see your bank details, only the preferred name you’ve set in your Monzo account.

If you share your phone number with someone, of course they’ll know your name. Nobody’s brought this up before is because it comes across as an overreaction.

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4

What do you mean, “it’s not a security issue”? I just explained how it is. It exposed details without requiring confirmation.

I am guessing you are not Monzo staff.

5

That’s a fairly outrageous thing to say.

It’s not an overreaction at all, it’s a very legitimate concern. I posted it here precisely because it caused a friend some alarm…he had shared his phone number, and didn’t expect a person to be able to find his name in a banking app!

I have had the same experience with someone else…they withheld their name but I knew what it was because it popped up in Monzo.

I am guessing you are not in IT, in security or involved with Monzo. You clearly have no idea about security.

6

You might find it outrageous but it’s fact. Nobody has raised this before to my knowledge and I’ve been here for a long time.

They see your name in app because you gave that person your phone number, and Monzo permission to view your contacts, if you don’t want people to see you, turn it off.

There’s nothing more to it than that. No huge conspiracy theory, security issue, sharing of sensitive data or anything like you’re trying making it out to be.

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7

In short, don’t give people your number if you don’t trust them. You can search many platforms and find someone’s name if you look hard enough.

It’s not a security issue, you just need to switch it off if you don’t want to use it.

If you’re unhappy you’d need to raise it in the monzo app > Help > search raise a formal complaint.

Monzo will respond within 8 weeks to address your concerns, though ultimately I don’t believe it is a concern.

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8

This has been answered by @Ordog

Like majority of users on this Discourse, no.

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9

You’re missing the point. I am correct that you are not Monzo staff? And not involved in IT security?

Banks have been pulled up for much less.

The scenario I am describing: a person shares their phone number with someone, but chooses to withhold their name. They are unaware that when they open Monzo, their name will be revealed.

Two people have reported this as an issue to me. If you are going to just deny this is an issue because you want to sound like an expert, then carry on. I can think immediately of a couple of ways this could be very serious.

Let me summarise for you: a person may withhold their name, but it will be revealed anyway without their knowledge. If you are going to dig your heels in and say it doesn’t matter, then you enjoy.

I have reported it to Monzo directly.

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10

If you went into a site on the internet, and someone knew your name without your having shared it, would that not cause you alarm?

11

If somebody provides you with their number but not their name and you happen to use WhatsApp… You can see their preferred name, photograph, when they were last online in WhatsApp. It’s exactly the same behaviour.

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12

I wouldn’t care, no, they don’t know my middle name, date of birth, address, email address, national insurance number etc. so it’s moot.

Having said that; you have decided to use your full name on an open public forum (if that is your name).

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13

Perhaps, but:

  • you can configure your name in WhatsApp, not sure you can in a banking app
  • It is well known this is how WhatsApp behaves. Both people I know were surprised. It should not be the default. This is a banking app, not a comms app
  • Even if those two were not true, it is not reasonable to say that it’s ok for Monzo to be crappy because WhatsApp is crappy

In any event, if you are happy that’s how it works, that’s fine: some people are not. Surely you can imagine a scenario where a person needs to conceal their name when sharing their number?

Again, if you’re just going to deny it because it works for you…

14

Who does that?

Hi, here’s my number but I’m not going to give you my name because I want it to be really awkward when you call :rofl:

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15

From my NatWest account I can ‘pay my contacts’ and it accesses my address book in my phone. I can tell anybody who banks with NatWest just by using it!

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16

Does it matter? That you cannot think of a use case does not mean one does not exist.

Right off the top of my head: a person experiencing domestic abuse who wants to conceal their name but share their number.

I have worked in IT for decades, you don’t appear to have the slightest clue about security. Use Your imagination.

17

…a person who wants to use an anonymous payment app to receive a payment that needs a number. Might not want to share your name.

Honestly there are dozens of examples. I don’t understand how you can fail to grasp it.

18

You’re clutching at straws here and you know it.

I could understand if your banking details were shared, as you initially assumed, but that’s not the case, or if any of this was shared without your consent with no opt out. But you’re also wrong on this front too.

Simply turn it off and move on. It’s ok that you initially misunderstood, but you’re still trying to make this sound like a big deal and it really isn’t

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19

You must be new to this forum because that is 99% of the responses from the regulars here: works for me so the problem must be you

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20

Yes, which is why I have contacted Monzo.