WHOOO ARE YOOOO? How many factors are enough?

HALLIE EPHRON: There was a time, not all that long ago, when it seemed like every time I turned around, one of my passwords or my credit card was getting hacked. Huge pain in the butt getting that sorted.

These days, so many accounts are requiring two-factor authentication. For the longest time I resisted. I don’t always have a phone with me for verification and I don’t want to risk getting locked out. I wonder, what about people who don’t have access to computers or cell phones, never mind both?

I’ve been succumbing to two-factor authentication and I suppose it must be working because I haven’t had a security hiccough in months.

Then upping the ante, I had to pass a photo ID test in order to get an account so I could see my tax history. This involves having my computer take a picture of me and a picture of my photo ID. Which I did. But apparently I’ve outgrown my passport photo since the match failed. Not once, but several times.

So I had to call them (only 15 minutes on hold) and spoke to a very nice woman who eyeballed  my face and my passport over what I hope was a secure camera line (Yeeks!) and confirmed that I'm me.

All of this in the name of protecting my privacy. Am I the only one who sees some irony here?

Have any of you had to struggle to prove you’re you lately?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: It’s the good news and the bad news, right? We want to be protected, but it’s difficult. And then to prove yourself, you have to hand over all kinds of personal information.

And for me, it can be triple complicated. Because my legal name is different from my writer name, if someone asks me “What’s your name?”, sometimes I have to reply “Why?” Or sometimes I’ll make a hotel reservation for Hank Phillippi Ryan, and the agent will ask: What day does he want to arrive?

And, I guess I can tell you, the cable people will only talk on the phone to the person whose name is on the account. So when I call, they say: Who am I speaking with? And I say my husband’s name. They say–YOU’RE Jonathan? And I say: Yes. (With a tone like–you gonna question me about that? It always works.)

JENN McKINLAY: I live in a state that doesn’t require you to renew your license for 30 years. My ID is from the week after I was married and back from my honeymoon. There will never be an ID photo of me that is this good and I’m not renewing it until it expires in seven more years.

I’ve had my credit card taken but not my identity - praise be - and I find two-factor identification very annoying but I suppose you can’t be too careful. When paying the hooligans’ tuition, I have to have two-factor ID and all I can think is “Hey, if anyone else wants to pay this bill, be my guest.” LOL.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: A few years ago I had to renew my driver's license in person and it was a huge pain. Birth certificate, passport, etc. etc. And I've had my debit card skimmed, but have not had my identity stolen, thank goodness.

The confusion in our house comes from the fact that, while my writing name is also my legal name, it's not my husband's name. So he is on some accounts and I am on others and I'm always having to explain. Not to mention that he hates being called "Mr. Crombie…."

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Like most of you, my legal name (Ross’s last name) is different from my writing name (my maiden name,) which causes confusion and last-minute frantic updates if a new assistant publicist is making reservations and isn’t up on what my credit cards and drivers license say.

I’ve never been hacked, but my cell phone number has gotten out there, and I get spam texts occasionally which make me roll my eyes. Fortunately, my phone has one-touch reporting; I hit the ‘spam’ button and the message disappears and the number is blocked.

I actually like the two-factor authentication; I’ve gotten used to it and it does make me feel more secure. What drives me nuts are the aggressive security measures my card issuer uses to prevent fraud - they stop payment and text/ call me to confirm.

The first time this happened was when I was spending $$$ getting Youngest a Macbook Air for high school. We’re in the Genius Bar, trying to navigate the purchase, warranty, etc, and my card is refused! Then while I’m asking the very helpful Specialist to run it again, my phone started blowing up with a number I didn’t recognize. I was utterly stumped until after we were back in the car, sans Macbook, and I listened to my voicemail.

It’s happened to me a few times since then, but it’s always infrequent enough so I never think of my card security until I’m already flustered and trying to sort out what’s wrong with the salesperson/hotel clerk/reservation agent. Who I am sure thinks I’m just some deadbeat on the brink of bouncing a check.

RHYS BOWEN: Another victim of two names here. I have to remember to remind my publicity team that I have to check in using the name on my driver’s license. And this time there were problems at both hotels because the publicists had booked a room for Rhys Bowen and charged the other to MY credit card.

I’ve also been through the embarrassment of having a card denied when trying to make a big purchase–last time it was booking a river cruise. So by the time I had called Chase I had to go through the whole booking process again. I do like that they are looking out for me, but really,can’t they see that I’ve booked a river cruise before?

And my cards have been hacked many times which is a real pain as I have most of my bills on auto pay and have to give them all a new card. Another small annoyance. My phone has facial recognition which it can’t do with a mask on. I understand the latest upgrade can add this feature but I haven’t had time to explore it yet.

LUCY BURDETTE: First of all, about ID photos, you may or may not remember that I lost my passport while traveling a couple of years ago--in India! Here's the whole story if you want groan, gasps, and giggles. The point is, I had to get a new passport, with a new photo, taken at a little open air shop on the streets of Delhi. I was not allowed to smile or wear my glasses. It is the worst photo ever, but I was just so grateful to have it!

Like Rhys, it seems I have an account hacked at least once a year. So very frustrating. Do you all belong to Credit Karma? It's a free app that tracks your credit reports and credit card balances etc. So at least you can get an alert if something fishy is going on.

HALLIE: I don't belong to Credit Karma, but I have my credit card account set to ping me with a text message whenever my card gets charged. It sets my mind at rest--at least I know the minute any charge hits that I didn't make. It's also good for alerting me to any repeating service charges that I authorized once up on a time and no longer need.

So are you welcoming two-factor identification or resorting to wearing garlic to ward off marauders?