why I stopped using Monzo

when I discovered Monzo I thought it was a good idea to try it.

I installed the app, requested the card, it arrived in a couple of weeks.

The process of registration is done by:

-checking your phone number - via SMS;

-inserting all your data (name, address, postcode);

-adding your credit card and making a first 100 pound top up;

So they have name, address, phone number (verified) and your credit card (verified as well).

Fair enough.

No other required stuff mentioned at this stage.

The app is amazing, using the card and tracking all your activity is cool, you can also

see how much you spend on different 'areas' like eating outside, bills and more.

One day, I was about to buy something in a store, tried to top up before using the card

but the plus button to set the amount was stuck. No more than 30 pound to top up.

Weird.

Luckily I found another way to pay at that shop.

Long story short, it looks like to top up more I have to go through an 'identity verification'.

Another one? Yes.

I asked to the support and they linked some FAQ section on their website (yeah, I didn't read all of them, my fault. Did you?).

They ask to add a photo of your ID document (passport, driving license...) and a short selfie video to prove that it's you on the document.

I would not do this. Monzo is over for me.

They say it's "to help to protect your account".

So my previous activities were not protected enough?

I think you have enough data to identify (and protect) me.

I top up using my credit card, and you have all the data related to it.

This is enough to pay anything on internet, and it's not enough for you.

Main reason? I don't trust you.

If you will ever get hacked (and at this time it's not simple paranoia), not only you will (maybe)

fuck up my credit card data, email, name, address...but also my passport picture.

Sorry, I don't wanna do this.

Note: I know other people using Monzo without any limitation at all, and they never did the passport/video process. And no, I didn't do anything special and have no issues on my credit history.