How Much Information is Too Much

Spook_ie

So got an unsolicited call just from a Dublin number which according to an old thread in a closed group would have been a genuine Vodafone number
https://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2056083308

Usual speel of call being recorded etc. but given the fact that scammers now a days can frig the number to appear as something different, how much information is required or safe to allow a company to verify you are the account holder, I usually stop at date of birth or address as they should be able to tell me IMO, after all they rang me. but this one just hung up when i queried why he would want my DoB.

Thoughts anyone

Thoie

Not a legal opinion, but my own attitude is "tell 'em nuttin'"

If you cold call me out of the blue, I don't care what your company policy might be, I'm not giving you any personal information at all. I won't even confirm my full name. Companies need to stop training their customers to blindly hand over personal info to strangers on the other end of the phone.

If I call you, then absolutely, I'll provide all the info you ask for.

In your situation, I'd have said if it's urgent I'll call back through the main number on their site, and ask what extension/menu options I should select to get back to that department.

L1011

Caller ID is totally and easily fakeable. Unless I'm expecting the call they get nothing and I'll call back on the number I have for them, nothing else.

That's probably even a bit dangerous as someone with a bit of inside info may know you're expecting a call.

hullaballoo

Yep, lots of companies calling now and immediately launch into "can I ask you to give me your full name, address and DOB to confirm you are who you say?" Simply madness for this to be happening.

Unless I am expecting a call/recognise the number calling, my reply is always "you rang me..." They are seemingly used to this and will usually ask you to call a (verified) contact number, if they're any use they will give you some information that will make the time having to sit on hold slightly shorter.

Only once has someone pushed back and insisted they couldn't even tell me where they were calling from/what it was in relation to until I gave all the details and was quite pushy. Presumably that time it was a scammer.

There are some businesses who don't insist on all that at the start of the call and just get on with talking about what they need to, they only get into the DPA stuff later if needed. If you were to be ultra cautious, you could at that stage ask for a phone and reference number to call them back if you're still unsure.

L1011

hullaballoo wrote: »

Only once has someone pushed back and insisted they couldn't even tell me where they were calling from/what it was in relation to until I gave all the details and was quite pushy. Presumably that time it was a scammer.

I had that with, erm, someone (can't remember, may have been someone I was in dispute with) - I can't actually remember and my reply of "write to me then, if you have my address to verify" did actually lead to a somewhat snotty letter landing on the doormat a few days later :pac:

Victor

L1011 wrote: »

Caller ID is totally and easily fakeable.

It is spoofable, but not absolutely so. The caller's system requests anonymity / a different ID (most common with businesses with lots of lines). However, don't try to prank call the phone company, as they can bypass the anonymity request.

Thoie

hullaballoo wrote: »

Only once has someone pushed back and insisted they couldn't even tell me where they were calling from/what it was in relation to until I gave all the details and was quite pushy. Presumably that time it was a scammer.

I'm generally an absolute delight, and very polite. But I feel no compunction about hanging up on anyone who starts that. I don't even bother engaging, or explaining myself.