Is it safe to give your 8 digit bank a/c no and sort code over the phone?

johnnyboyz

I was with Southern Electric for Gas & Electric but switched to Scottish Powers capped rate a month or two ago.

Southern electric are now phoning me up offering me an even better tariff as I was one of their 'very best' customers!

However they insist on having my 8 digit bank a/c no and sort code so they can basically set everything up and send me out the contract details and I have a week 'cooling off' period to cancel if I'm not happy.

Is it safe to give out this data to somebody that phones me up?

jollyme

This is no different to the information held on any cheque you write. Would you worry about putting a cheque in the post??

DreamerV

I think it's safe enough....I work on a line where ppl phone me up and give me their account and sort code...and have done previously too. Also, I have phoned companies on numerous occassions and have done this. Remember you'd covered by direct debit guarantees and such like also. If someone did set up fraudulent direct debits in your name, you would be covered through your bank. I'm no expert though.

One thing though, I also went from Scottish Hydro about a month ago to Scottish Power capped. If Scottish Hydro are trying to lure you back, make sure you're not tied into a contract with Scottish Power....as you might need to pay a cancellation to switch. It might be worth telling Scottish Power about the deal the other company are offering, and seeing if there is anything they can do (e.g match).

Plushchris

Dreamer makes a good point about the cancelation fee with Scottish Power.

Also its worth noting that the "very best customer" line is complete rubbish, energy suppliers cannot offer preferential rates to good customers or give retention deals like the mobile phone operators do. They wont offer you anything they wouldnt offer to a new customer.

And make sure they dont sucker you into their fixed discount tariff under the illusions its a fixed price tariff, its not, yet it still carries a cancelation charge.

Premier_2

Are you sure the person calling you really was from Southern Electric?

If in any doubt, call them back on a number you know belongs to Southern Electric.

shelly

I too changed to Scottish Power a couple of months ago. If you are on the "Fixed price till 2011" deal then there is no cancellation charge. All you have to do is give 28 days written notice that you want to leave.

I'd be worried about changing suppliers what with all the energy prices going up. If Southern Electric can beat the deal you are on now and cap it then maybe go back to them but if they can't give some sort of price guarantee I would'nt bother.