ID Theft Worry ...

SammiD

Or am I being over paranoid??

I just had a missed call from an 0800 number on my mobile, so I called it back and it was a company who's name I didn't recognise. They said they were a debt collection agency!! :eek: Now, to my knowledge I have absolutely no outstanding debts. I told them this so they asked for my number (the one they had called me on) So I gave them my mobile number, he couldn't trace anything under that so asked for my surname and date of birth, which (without thinking!) I gave him. He said he couldn't trace anything on that either and apologised saying they had probably called me in error.

Anyways, now Im panicking about the info I gave him!! If this was a dodgy company could they commit any kind of ID fraud/theft with just my surname, date of birth and mobile number? Or would they need much more and Im just being over paranoid??

And yes, before I get a ticking off, I know I shouldn't have given them any info if I didn't know who they were

RAS

There is a web-site "whocalledme" or something similiar.

Post the number and it qwill tell you who called.

Bufger

With the info you've given them they wont get too far. You will find yourself getting alot of phonecalls from salespeople though! You'll be on just about every database out there for surveys/contracts etc etc.

The DOB bit i would worry about more than the others. Having a name and a DOB is a powerful start, if they manage to get your address from your phone contract then you're in trouble.

nzmegs

To be fair this is information they coudl get pretty much from anywhere. However they could add it to other information they already have.Try to verify the company actually exists and check up on them to put your mind a rest. in the meantime keep an eye on your bank account etc to make sure nothing is purchased in your name.

I wouldn't worry too much this is information which we often give out freely to loads of different people. they don't have your bankl account details or your address as far as you know so hopefully there is no problem. But do check up on the company. they have probabaly just been trying to get hold of someone who has given your mobile number as their own.

SammiD

I have checked the company name on the web and they do come up as a debt recovery agency and looks like a pretty professional website, but was worried that maybe they were just using that companies name.

Thank you for all the advice, I shall indeed keep a close eye on my bank account to make sure not a penny goes missing! Trying to be MSE and then someone starts stealing my hard saved money would be just my rotten luck! LOL!

pattycake

I have nothing really constructive to add but my local newspaper is filled every week with birthday congratulations for people. This obviously gives their full names and it is very easy to work out their date of birth. Addresses are not given but I would think it would not be too difficult to add that information to the details.

My point is, perhaps you have nothing to worry about. There are simpler ways to obtain the information you gave out.