Why would creditor ask me to verify my relative's information for my account?

[mb2008]

I rarely call customer service, so I couldn't remember the passcode placed on my account last year. In order for me to change the passcode, the security department asked if I would verify "public information" concerning the nearest relative who lives with me. This relative is NOT on my account, or affiliated with my account in any way. Supposedly public records about "me", listed their name, age, and place of birth as nearest relative.

This seemed very strange. Has anyone every experienced this? Also, the relative I was asked about who lives with me, has TERRIBLE credit, and judgments, so will their credit history affect my relationship with this creditor? Also, how in the world is this secure verification. What if I had been the relative calling in to get information on "my" account? After answering the their questions, the passcode was removed. Very strange. Thanks

p.s. I'm wondering if this relative is the reason I have not received a credit increase. It's really not fair if my credit potential is being judged because I live with this relative, or is this a common question?

[PolarBearnCO]

I wouldn't share any information that you wouldn't want them to share of yours.

[isislc]

You should never share any information on family members with a creditor. They like to use that information to keep track of you or them.

[Ahntara]

Sounds like they cross-referenced the data and were doing a bit of skip-tracing while they had you in a vulnerable position. It's unorthodox but quite effective.

I used to pull the same trick when I worked credit reports. You get people to agree/divulge when they are cooperative, then when they dispute you say, "But you agreed earlier that yadda, yadda, yadda was ...(fill in the blank)..."