banking blues

My new bank card arrived today. So far, so good.

But I am required to call a number to validate the card.

The first two questions are easy - the answers are on the card. But then come a whole series of questions I have no way (without time for research) of answering. Now, I realise that a bit of security is a good idea, but how might I know, off the top of my head, something my wife did 25 years ago, before I married her? And how might I know recent transactions she might have done on the account, if she has not shared them with me? And when did I last use the previous card? well, maybe not for years! But that is not good enough.

In the end, I failed all the questions, so I cannot use the card.

Thats progress.