ARRRGhhh foreign call centres!

southernscouser

The funniest thing is when you get a person with a really deep Indian accent and they say;

'Hello Mr SS, my names Dave!' :rotfl:

Gemmzie

It isn't just foriegn call centres. I have trouble understanding thick English accents too over the phone - Glaswegian, Liverpudlian, Welsh. I get so confused...

MrsTinks

I run a european call centre based in the UK which makes my life very colourful We have people speaking 9 different languages and quite often if the native english speakers are busy the calls will overflow to someone with English as a second language... My fave was when one italian took a call and couldn't convince the customer we really weren't in India! I had to take over as they got really irate and was demanding a "supervisor"... I have a VERY english accent (good education - cheers mum) so apparently I was ok... Funny tho... Could have sworn the passport says I'm born and bred Danish
On a serious note tho I HATE call centres in India and the like and it was one of my reasons for leaving Lloyds (not the main one but it was seriously contributing to the decision) and going with A&L.

pattiemay

I wrote a letter to the Customer Advocate's office of MBNA (Virgin) and complained very strongly about the foreigners ringing me up and harrassing me every day and said I didn't understand a word they said and was not going to waste my time repeating everything three times either. I would only talk to an english person whom I could understand, but only ONCE as I had made my position clear regarding finances in writing. The calls have now stopped and I got a letter back apologising and a form to fill in regarding my complaint!

lil_me

I had a Mark Smith when I rang one today, I then asked can I have your real name please, he gave me it suprisingly.

Toomuchdebt

I HATE foreign call centres!!

Hello

The 'English' call centre we use has a few 'second language' English Operators, you should hear the complaints between them and the Glaswegian office!!

Mrs(no)money

My dad has come up with the perfect solution for foreign call centres that 'cold call'. He either completely denies that he's the person they're asking for, or he asks if they will hold for a moment (someone at the door, or must get a pen etc!) and then leaves them hanging indefinitely! :rotfl: They soon go!!

rog2

Perhaps someone could clarify the legal situation regarding these foreign call centres?
Being based abroad, are they subject to the same legislation, for example - harrassment, as a UK call centre?
Are we legally obliged to discuss confidential information with them - particularly in the aftermath of various scandals (HSBC) ?
Can they do anything if we tell them we do not wish to speak with them?:rolleyes:

MrsTinks

Technically if the company the call centre belongs to is based in the UK (or I think even has a European office/branch) then they are bound by the Data protection Act
However if they call you then they cannot make YOU verify your identity. Explain that as you have not called them then you are not giving them any personal details in case they are trying to obtain these to use them for fraudulent purposes. Ask them to send their query in the post and you will respond to an official company address. There is no way they can object to this