Cold calling looking to discuss banking details

KenHy

I just received a call from someone claiming to be Irish Water looking for me to disclose my personal details to them. Do Irish Water actually do this or is this a scam? The number that appears on my phone is Irish Water's 1890 number so a convincing scam if it is one and people need to be warned.

If it's not one I'm very surprised that any company would do cold calls seeking personal data. Sets up situation where scammers could seem more convincing to the unaware

Irish Water: Kim

Hi KenHy,

Thanks for contacting us.

KenHy wrote: »

I just received a call from someone claiming to be Irish Water looking for me to disclose my personal details to them. Do Irish Water actually do this or is this a scam? The number that appears on my phone is Irish Water's 1890 number so a convincing scam if it is one and people need to be warned.

It is standard protocol for us to request a customers name, address and contact number for data protection reasons during any outbound call.

If you wish for us to investigate this matter further and advise why this call was made, would you mind sending the following details via private message and we can certainly look into this on your behalf:

- Name;
- Contact Number and
- Address.

Thanks in advance.

If you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to ask.

Kind regards,
Kim

KenHy

Thanks Kim,

Have to say I'm surprised, given Irish Water rang me in that manner, I'd have thought that it should be you verifying identity details and not the other way around.

In any case the lady said they'd contact me using alternative methods so can see what it is about then.

Irish Water: Amy A

Hi KenHy,

Thanks for your response.

Just to clarify, we would ask that customers confirm their details with us on outbound calls to ensure that the person who answered the phone is the person we wish to speak with. This is a standard data protection procedure.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any further queries, and we would be happy to assist you.

Kind regards,
Amy.

circular flexing

Irish Water: Amy wrote: »

Hi KenHy,

Thanks for your response.

Just to clarify, we would ask that customers confirm their details with us on outbound calls to ensure that the person who answered the phone is the person we wish to speak with. This is a standard data protection procedure.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any further queries, and we would be happy to assist you.

Kind regards,
Amy.

And how is the person who you call meant to verify that it's Irish Water calling and not some scammer? This is a classic phishing technique and I would strongly discourage anyone from giving this information to a cold caller.

bren2002

Lots of companies do this. Including the banks.
Surely a code word at the start would let the reciever know it was actually the relevant company calling them.