Quick question about giving account numbers

pt82

Hi everyone, sorry to just barge in and post.. I've been browsing for a while and finally got round to giving payplan a call to try and get some advice about the best way to handle my debts. They have rung back tonight, and tbh, I felt uncomfortable about giving some of the info (children's names, DOB etc) But one thing I won' do is give out account numbers over the phone.

Needless to say we had to end the conversation there as they said they can't help and the only way I can give them account numbers is via phone or email (neither of which I'm willing to do)

Am I being unreasonable? And are there any organisations which don't charge, where you can actually speak to someone (except CAB.. they are absolutely useless here:mad: ) I just struggle to get my head round all the figures/interest/repayment terms etc, but don't want to be handing out account numbers

Justicia

Welcome to MSE!

Are you referring to account/reference numbers relating to debts?

pt82

Hi, yes they wanted all the account numbers in relation to the debts.. which I can see them needing if they were to be contacting the creditors etc, but this was our first contact.

Justicia

Hey there!

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly, I have no experience of communicating with PayPlan, CCCS, etc., so my views are not based on any experiences.

I expect that any providers of debt relief/counselling will ask you for the reference numbers to be able to directly assist you, although I can see that may be daunting on a first contact. I think that you will come up against the same situation with other organisations that you might approach.

What is it that you are wary of, if you don't mind me asking?

pt82

I'm overly paranoid.. mainly worried about identity theft, bank fraud, phishing etc.... and every other scam under the sun. I appreciate there is a risk with any other way of giving details.. but telephone and email are the worst offenders.:o They just seemed to know practiaclly everything about me (minus vital stats lol ) within 5 minutes of being on the telephone and it just felt very intense. Also felt uncomfortable about giving my exes details out as well without his consent

amosworks

Do you want them to help you or not?

Kruger

At the end of the day you've called them or arranged to be called, its not someone random phoning you, if you want their help, you'll have to give them the details, I get this selling car insurance, if your worried about identity theft - and without being funny,but if I was looking to scam someone I'd want to find a target with an excellent credit rating!

Thriftylady

I read an article about identity theft at the weekend and it said that as a general rule you shoud only give out details over the phone if you made the phonecall, and it was to a published and openly available phone number.

I think you make a valid point though - I work in a job where I sometimes have to ring people, and my employers insist that we ask the person answering the phone to give some 'security details' and it amazes me that not a single person has yet asked me to provide any evidence that I am actually ringing from the company I claim to be ringing from....and we have no way of proving it if they did !

nadnad

why don't you post your debts here and see if anyone can help out if you feel pressured by payplan. at least if you did that you can get your head around everything and take your time to understand.

Broken_hearted

amosworks wrote:

Do you want them to help you or not?

NOT.I found them useless as they wanted us to go bankrupt. I accept they do help some but they give up too easily.

domestic_goddess

Instead of them ringing you why dont you ring them so you know you are def speaking to them. That might put your mind at rest. As far as identity theft goes I would say that the greater risk is not getting the help you need with your finances.

Good luck