Call centre workers - not giving you their name.

PJD

Have you come across this? Call centre workers at banks who only give you their first name, - when you ask for their surname they say "we don't give out our surnames".

Why is this? Is the answer simply that they do not want to be held accountable for any f'ck up that they might do?

I find it quite rude to be honest.

SavySaver_2

Yeah seems a bit shocking they can't give surname. I only see the point in taking it if you have a complaint against them or want to speak to them again. Shouldn't be a big issue as all calls are normally recorded.
I work in a branch and we all have our full names on our badges.

BruceyBonus

Ask for their employee number. They'll be happy to give you this.

When I worked for an insurance company's call centre, we were told it was company policy that we had to give our first and last names.

If I'd had the choice, there is no way that I'd have given out my surname. Not because I don't want to be accountable, but because I don't want someone turning up on my doorstep for whatever reason. Knowing the office in which I worked plus my full name doesn't make it very difficult for anyone to find out my home address.

Some customers get very aggressive on the phone - wouldn't want to know what they are like in person!

staffie1

Strange isn't it?! You know when you get those cold callers ringing you? Get your own back by asking them for their personal details. When they won't give them to you, refuse to give yours out. That usually stumps them. In this climate of data protection and privacy, why should you give out any of your details over the phone to someone who's called you out of the blue? Don't give them your surname, the first line of your address, DOB or anything unless they can prove who they are first. They won't be able to!

I bet they won't bother you again.

newlysingle_2

When I used to work in a call centre, we never used to give out our full names for security reasons. Instead we each had a staff number to give out instead. The company then changed the policy and we had to give our full names when we answered the phone. Some people were unhappy with this, and we were aloud to give a variant of our original name, i.e. my friend changed hers from Winterbottom to Winters, but it had to be logged fully in any notes.

spike87

When anyone asks me for my name whilst at work, I just make one up. Rob, John, Tom, Sam, Ben - I've been them all! :rotfl:

naijapower

But why should call centre staff be worried. If they do their jobs right no one would show any aggression or even contemplate showing up at their doorstep

flutterbyuk25

When I worked in civil service call centre we were not allowed to give out surnames due to security.

But we had to give first name and team number if requested.

x

jillie1974

my oh used to work in a call centre and as someone else had the same first name as his, he had to use another fake name. this was to avoid confusion later on.
where i used towork we werent allowed to give our surnames out due to a previous incident where a member of staff was stalked.

Sun

It is because they have been given screen/fake names, which is only a first name.

chnelomi

cant believe this thread is on here i had this problem today.
i was out this morning and when i got back their was a message left for me to contact Lauren and a telephone number and a note saying it was urgent. so i called the number and asked for Lauren, to find out their was more than one Lauren "whats it regarding".
I was only left a message so had no more info other than the first name and number i was calling. had to wait till she called later.

Anyone else remember the joke told by a comedian about call centers and surnames. something to do with him like me returning a missed call (staff)don't you know the surname sir (comedian)no only first name (staff)cant help without surname sir(comedian) ok shall try later whats your surname (staff) I'm sorry sir we are not allowed to give them out!!!!!!!!!:rotfl: