Weird phone call - data protection.
Discussion
Just received a telephone call claiming to be from my previous car insurer, they said they were contacting me about an accident I had in 2007. They then said they couldn't tell me any more until I confirmed my identity to them for "data protection reasons". They wanted me to provide my addresss. But they phoned me, so how do I know they are who they say they are?
It all seems a touch odd as the accident I had has long since been settled and I no longer insure with this company.
I told the chap I wouldn't give my address out to an unsolicited caller and that they should contact me by letter if it's important. The guy sounded a bit perplexed, patronised me a bit about the reasons for data protection and then said he'd have to put a note on my file that they were unable to contact me.
Am I being over cautious/paranoid? Or does this sound a bit suspect?
It all seems a touch odd as the accident I had has long since been settled and I no longer insure with this company.
I told the chap I wouldn't give my address out to an unsolicited caller and that they should contact me by letter if it's important. The guy sounded a bit perplexed, patronised me a bit about the reasons for data protection and then said he'd have to put a note on my file that they were unable to contact me.
Am I being over cautious/paranoid? Or does this sound a bit suspect?
I do this, especially with my bank when they call me (or someone thatg says they are my bank), i ask them to e-mail me via their online banking system.
But yes, they do sound surprised when you ask the indian chap on the phone (with an 'out of area' number) to tell me the details and he says he can't...
Totall agree with what you have done, you can't be too sure.
But yes, they do sound surprised when you ask the indian chap on the phone (with an 'out of area' number) to tell me the details and he says he can't...
Totall agree with what you have done, you can't be too sure.
I'm going try and find a contact number and give them a call, I'm intrigued by the whole thing now.
The best thing to do when contacted by an overseas call centre is see if you can get the operator to admit there real name is not Robert, and then ask them about the the culture in the city they live in. You can sense the frustration but they must be under strict instruction not to upset the customer.
The best thing to do when contacted by an overseas call centre is see if you can get the operator to admit there real name is not Robert, and then ask them about the the culture in the city they live in. You can sense the frustration but they must be under strict instruction not to upset the customer.
Edited by blueST on Monday 15th December 11:23
This sort of call annoys me. We're always being told never to give out personal details to websites or on emails but organisations expect us to give out personal details whenever they call us on the phone.
I had someone from my mobile provider call me last week and they asked me for my password which I refused to give. The guy asked me why I wouldn't tell him and I explained that to me he was a stranger and might not have been from the phone company. He said "but I honestly really am", oh ok then, my password is...
In the end he got quite shirty and told me details of my price plan and previous bill amounts etc. so I would believe him, which is probably against the data protection act.
I had someone from my mobile provider call me last week and they asked me for my password which I refused to give. The guy asked me why I wouldn't tell him and I explained that to me he was a stranger and might not have been from the phone company. He said "but I honestly really am", oh ok then, my password is...
In the end he got quite shirty and told me details of my price plan and previous bill amounts etc. so I would believe him, which is probably against the data protection act.
I agree that this is a weird turn of logic in today's identity theft culture and prudence is always the best course.
However, it is used to protect the customer by verifying that it is indeed the actual customer and not some joe bloggs who you don't want messing with your insurance/banking etc.
It actually goes so far as to not giving your spouse access to your details unless you have given previous permission or they have access to your password. There have been instances of jilted wives emptying bank accounts and cancelling insurnace.
If in any doubt, get them to give you the main switchboard number and the department/extension to call.
However, it is used to protect the customer by verifying that it is indeed the actual customer and not some joe bloggs who you don't want messing with your insurance/banking etc.
It actually goes so far as to not giving your spouse access to your details unless you have given previous permission or they have access to your password. There have been instances of jilted wives emptying bank accounts and cancelling insurnace.
If in any doubt, get them to give you the main switchboard number and the department/extension to call.
blueST said:
Just received a telephone call claiming to be from my previous car insurer, they said they were contacting me about an accident I had in 2007. They then said they couldn't tell me any more until I confirmed my identity to them for "data protection reasons". They wanted me to provide my addresss. But they phoned me, so how do I know they are who they say they are?
It all seems a touch odd as the accident I had has long since been settled and I no longer insure with this company.
I told the chap I wouldn't give my address out to an unsolicited caller and that they should contact me by letter if it's important. The guy sounded a bit perplexed, patronised me a bit about the reasons for data protection and then said he'd have to put a note on my file that they were unable to contact me.
Am I being over cautious/paranoid? Or does this sound a bit suspect?
Most of these call centre monkeys have no concept of what the data protection act is and how it works. They are just told to mention it in their script. It all seems a touch odd as the accident I had has long since been settled and I no longer insure with this company.
I told the chap I wouldn't give my address out to an unsolicited caller and that they should contact me by letter if it's important. The guy sounded a bit perplexed, patronised me a bit about the reasons for data protection and then said he'd have to put a note on my file that they were unable to contact me.
Am I being over cautious/paranoid? Or does this sound a bit suspect?
I think you did the right thing; I wouldn't be giving my details out to some random caller either.
blueST said:
Just received a telephone call claiming to be from my previous car insurer, they said they were contacting me about an accident I had in 2007. They then said they couldn't tell me any more until I confirmed my identity to them for "data protection reasons". They wanted me to provide my addresss. But they phoned me, so how do I know they are who they say they are?
It all seems a touch odd as the accident I had has long since been settled and I no longer insure with this company.
I told the chap I wouldn't give my address out to an unsolicited caller and that they should contact me by letter if it's important. The guy sounded a bit perplexed, patronised me a bit about the reasons for data protection and then said he'd have to put a note on my file that they were unable to contact me.
Am I being over cautious/paranoid? Or does this sound a bit suspect?
This happened to me. Dataserve are employed by my utility provider to do the meter readings &c. I book a meter reading and a few days before the guy was due to turn up I get this phone call from someone claiming to be calling "on behalf of my utility provider" - as vague as that. No mention of Dataserve. Next he says "For security reasons can you confirm your name and address please?".It all seems a touch odd as the accident I had has long since been settled and I no longer insure with this company.
I told the chap I wouldn't give my address out to an unsolicited caller and that they should contact me by letter if it's important. The guy sounded a bit perplexed, patronised me a bit about the reasons for data protection and then said he'd have to put a note on my file that they were unable to contact me.
Am I being over cautious/paranoid? Or does this sound a bit suspect?
I told him to get knotted as I had no idea who he was. I did 1471 and called back the number. Turns out it was Dataserve, but what kind of a muppet expects you to just say "ok, I have no idea who you are, but here's my name and address".
Edited by Skyrat on Monday 15th December 12:47
when the bank call me like this, I do the same. I mean WTF, they call me on the number I have logged with them, they ask my name, I say yes, then they want me to give them all this other personal data over the phone before they can even say what they want......
Could you imagine behaving in your particular business like this.....
Ringing a customer, saying hi, its "xyz " here...
"hi XYZ, how's things, family ok?"
Well before I can answer that, for data protection, can you tell me your dob and inside leg measurement please......?"
It's strange it only ever seems to be certain industires and certain examples where this occurs, but they always get a "clear off" from me!
Could you imagine behaving in your particular business like this.....
Ringing a customer, saying hi, its "xyz " here...
"hi XYZ, how's things, family ok?"
Well before I can answer that, for data protection, can you tell me your dob and inside leg measurement please......?"
It's strange it only ever seems to be certain industires and certain examples where this occurs, but they always get a "clear off" from me!
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