Not giving out personal info on the phone?

Tinkerbell_Lily

Hi all

I am looking for some help, i'm sorry if this is posted in the wrong section. Recently on here I have read that alot of people are not willing to give out personal info when someone calls them, e.g confirming name, address, D.O.B etc... I have recently had people calling me from mobiles asking me these things and how much money I earn, how much debt I have etc... and I would like to be able to say I'm not confirming anything but the one and only time I did this, I just got an attitude! And also i'm worried that with me not confirming anything that they'll think i'm not willing to pay off my debts and take things further!

Whats the best way to put this across without sounding rude (obvisouly the majority of the time it is the debt companies ringing) but you can never be to sure these days, especially when you hear so much about scammers!

Any help would be appreciated as whats best to say to them

Thank you
Emma

Ames

I just say 'I'm sorry I'm not prepared to answer that because I want everything to be in writing'. And stick to it.

bottleofred

Hi,

You could say, I'm sorry, I don't consider that information to be any of your business! Say it nicely and hopefully they'll get the message!

McKneff

I had one yesterday, after each question i asked the person 'why do you want to know'
All i got was 'I just want to know that I'm talking to the right person'
This happened 5 times and he just wouldnt answer.
So i just said, 'so you want to know if you have got the right person, then i will answer you - no you havent - then i put the phone down.

gilligansyle

Just be polite and ask them to contact you in writing. I have had this from my bank, and they just very politely ask me to call them back on any of the numbers I can find on their website. The attitude is their problem, don't let it bother you.

FTW

Just be firm. How the caller takes it is their problem.

DVardysShadow

You are worried about appearing rude? Answering people ringing from mobiles asking for personal information?

I was cold called by someone selling something and when the personal questions started I just asked the girl some personal questions about herself [name, age, highest educational qualification - nothing improper]. She got flustered and put her manager on who proceeded to rebuke me for asking questions :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:. I just told him that if his company rings my phone, they have to answer the questions.

Be as rude as you like and tell them to write to you. And if they say they don't have your address, tell them that they will have to ring you on your other number for that info. And if they ask for that, tell them they will have to write.

Fribourg

Well, I remember once, they called me, and they asked, is this Mr. so and so, and I said, yes, of course it is, then he asked, ....just to confirm, can I ask you some security questions?..... to what I said, well, you are calling me at my house, and I said yes it's me, so you know it's me so what a hell..... you know what.......... send me a letter from now on, I wont be answering more questions over the phone, so, good day to you, and if you want to know more, start writting your nice letter........clikc....phone down

Marisco

:rotfl:Nice one DVardy;) I'll remember those for next time someone calls me!!

heavensbug

I have had this before and refuse to give my personal details out to anyone who calls me.

If they are genuine I ask for their name and company and say I will call them back to confirm that is who they are.

I then hang up and call back on the phone number published on their official website/ credit card/ bank card etc.

When they have answered I ask to speak to the name given to me. If they are genuine I politly tell the person when the answer that now I have verified who they are then I am happy for them to verify who I am.

Never, ever give your details out to someone who calls you with out calling back on a number that they have not given you.

Scammers are know for calling you and saying "So you know who I am you can call me back on 0......."

Always call back on a number you have independanly got for the company they claim to be from. Even if the person is not available your account will have notes on it saying that you have expressed for security reasons that you will be calling back.

Don't ever feel embaressed/like you have upset them. You are protecting your privacy and in worst case your money/identity.

Tinkerbell_Lily

Thanks everyone, its not that I feel rude as such, its just I buckle under pressure!

I need to get some balls I think!

Yesterday I had someone call me from one of my debt companies and it came up unknown so when I said she could be calling from anywhere and be anyone, she replied "well I can call you from witheld if that helps"!! :rotfl: stupid woman! They really do know how to employ good staff these days!