odd call from csa?

skintvix

Hi all,
wondering if anyone can help,
I had a phone call today from an 08007 number and the woman on the phone kept asking for my name, I said well you phoned me why don't you tell me to which she just kept saying this is a personal business call and I need to make sure I'm talking to the right person, I got a bit freaked out and refused so she said well if you won't tell me your name I will have to send you a letter, so I said well I would rather you did that so she said she would, I have googled the number and think it's the CSA no I'm wondering if I've done the right thing I opened a new claim as PWC but why would they be calling me? and have I made a big mistake by refusing to give my name?
Vix.

DUTR

No, you done the right thing, they called you so they must know to whom they wish to speak to, wait for the letter and always deal with them via letter where possible.
Good Luck.

skintvix

Thank you,
She really freaked me out by asking for my name and then I thought I'd probably messed things up I just don't know why they'd be phoning I thought everything would be done in writing.
Vix

AsknAnswer2

They should ask for you by name and then go through some security questions to confirm that they have the right person on the phone.

You can phone them if you wish. I never give out my details over the phone, but because of DPA they generally do not say where they are calling from until they confirm that they have the right person, so it's a bit of a catch 22.

borders_dude

When ever they phone me (im an NRP) I tell them i shall not be discussing anything on the phone and will certainly not be answering their security questions.

By answering the security questions you could be providing information which could be used by a fraudster in conjunction with other information they have retrieved form your bins etc;

If they phone me I explain that I will not be answering any questions but I am prepared to phone them and then discuss the matter. Then I simply call the CSA (I have the relevent numbers on my mobile), I confirm security and ask the person to check the contact log, it will usually have an entry saying they called and I said I would return the call. Then the call handler can connect me to the relevent person/team.

Much safer.

Honest_broker07

I've sometimes deliberately given wrong info.

Once told the CSA my date of birth was correct but said 2000 at the end insted of the right year making me about 8 at the time.

When the woman started to ask the next question I refused to answer and she got quite snotty,

And the DPA does not require them to ask you for data merely verify who you are, I've tied lots of people in knots over this
"we need this information for data protection"
"no I work in IT and understand the DPA, I am not required to give you the information for data protection purposes"
"we need this information for data protection"
"can I repeat, I work in IT and understand the DPA, I am not required to give you the information for data protection purposes"
"we need this information for data protection"
"Can I speak to your manager"
"we need this information for data protection"

I hang up at this point, they usually ring back and I demand a manager and tear them off a strip for abusing the DPA.
they keep saying the will change the scripts but don't

PlayingHardball

Honest_broker07 wrote: »

I've sometimes deliberately given wrong info.

Sorry, but doesn't this waste your time and more importantly theirs?

We're so busy critising the CSA for their ineffectiveness, so I can't see how this helps anyone.

For all the time you keep some poor worker on the phone, they could be dealing with my case!

I hope others won't follow your advice.

Don't forget, phone calls are recorded!

woody01

Don't forget, phone calls are recorded!

So what?
It's not illegal to mess someone about on an UNSOLICITED phone call.

PlayingHardball

woody01 wrote: »

So what?
It's not illegal to mess someone about on an UNSOLICITED phone call.

No, but would only succeed in making the person messing around with the CSA show themselves in a very negative light if case goes all the way to tribunal and records are used!