Possible phone fraud

[Richyboy]

So I was setting up a new account with an energy provider giving all my details (english call centre if that makes any different). I gave her my new mobile number (haven’t given it to anyone else). She says she needs to go away and do something so will call me back in 20 minutes. Ten minutes later I get this PPI person ringing me up from manchester, for some reason he knows my full name and my new mobile number (the tv is on in the background so possibly not a call centre). The guy wants my bank details etc, I tell him I have no reason to claim PPI but he still wants my bank details. I gave him nothing but starting to think he may already have all he needs to steal my identity from the energy company.

[randlemarcus]

Sounds a lot more like the energy call centre person has sold your details to a claims harvester. I would start asking questions there, if I were you.

[speedking31]

Did she call you back?

[ging84]

What was the energy supplier? A major one or somewhere no one has heard of?
Have you checked the number you were calling matches one that is on the company's website?

Where did you get the phone from? presumably you also gave someone your details to get the phone, unless it's a pay as you go one.

[Chrisgr31]

I'd be very surprised if someone working in a reputable energy providers call centre was able to pass on your details at all, let alone in 10 minutes. Paper and pens is often in short supply in call centres, as writing down information on paper can give rise to data protection issues, also many call centres bar mobiles.

So if the call centre was reputable its likely the only way your information would be passed on is by being sold, and thats unlikely in 10 minutes.

[Richyboy]

Yeah it was one of the big energy companies. I'm hoping just a coincidence.

[mattley]

Chrisgr31 said:

I'd be very surprised if someone working in a reputable energy providers call centre was able to pass on your details at all, let alone in 10 minutes.

Very naive

[Wings]

In a recent conversation with an accountant, I was shown a letter he had received from EDF, that stated that they had been informed that he was closing his electrical account, and moving his account to a "green" electricity supplier. Whilst the accountant had been online to a "comparison" site, he had made no such agreement to move/change his account.

[Vaud]

Wings said:

In a recent conversation with an accountant, I was shown a letter he had received from EDF, that stated that they had been informed that he was closing his electrical account, and moving his account to a "green" electricity supplier. Whilst the accountant had been online to a "comparison" site, he had made no such agreement to move/change his account.

But B2B contractual requirements are different to B2C...?

[Chimune]

Phone company sounds more likely as they had the time to sell your details.
Why are you even discussing stuff with a PPI cold call?

[Chrisgr31]

mattley said:

Very naive

Going to elaborate then?

[Richyboy]

Chimune said:

Phone company sounds more likely as they had the time to sell your details.
Why are you even discussing stuff with a PPI cold call?

I didn't give him any information. I wanted to find out how he got my details (was a new mobile number that I hadn't given out). This was the first time I ever had one of these PPI calls on a mobile so it seemed strange. Telephone number of the PPI guy is 0161 741 4000.

The really freaky thing about all this is the mobile phone isn't even in my name (I just realised this lol).

[Joe5y]

Chrisgr31 said:

I'd be very surprised if someone working in a reputable energy providers call centre was able to pass on your details at all, let alone in 10 minutes.

Companies are only as good (or honest) as the people that work for them. It only takes one bad egg in any company to turn things around whether it be British Gas or Timmy's Tea Shop.

[Foliage]

Chrisgr31 said:

mattley said:

Very naive

Going to elaborate then?

Call centres particularly a specific one in Manchester have various customers and do a nice little trade on the side with personal data that never leaves the building/company as reputable companies hire these call centres for customer calls then on another floor more unscrupulous PPI/Compensation sales people take the data and use it for well making money.

This will likely be one of the big news stories of 2015, and apparently this isn't a breach of DPA as its 1 company you are giving your data too, I always ask that no information I give is used for sales or cold calls, but tbh I don't think that helps.