Genuine phone call - how to tell?

cloud_dog

Happened to me with Egg CC.

Was booking some flights and within 30 seconds I got a telephone call enquiring about fraudulent use of the card. The thing that got me was that it was an automated call asking me to enter card / security details. Needless to say I hung up and contacted Egg via the contact number on their website. Told the person I spoke to that the automated call was terrible, I just thought it was a bogus call.

ChiefGrasscutter

Lloyds bank local branch has taken to ringing me from mobiles!
Yes, they are genuine calls: always trying to sell me something - again (sigh)
I always make them divulge some recent transactions on my account first as some sort of ID for them

G_M

Ask them to go through security before progressing. If they agree ask their mother's maiden name; DOB; answer to secret question; and for a recent transaction on your account.

Then tell them they've failed security.

Hang up and call them on the usual number.

bigfreddiel

G_M wrote: »

Ask them to go through security before progressing. If they agree ask their mother's maiden name; DOB; answer to secret question; and for a recent transaction on your account.

Then tell them they've failed security.

Hang up and call them on the usual number.

I ask them for their home phone number and say i will call them back while they're having dinner

Primrose

Not easy to ring a Barclays phone number back. they've now taken to hiding themselves behind one generic number for everybody which apppears to direct you to call centre in India. Absolutely hopeless. And they talk about Customer Service !

Customer Service should mean that you bank's specific phone number should be printed on every bank statement you receive so that if you even have a problem you can ring them straight through without having to quote a 20 digit confidential customer telephone banking code.

System

Further frustration, from Lloyds this time, over getting the replacement card activated. She asked some security questions:

Bank : How much was your last payment to this account?

R : Do you mean last month's payment, or the payment due to go in today?

Bank : How much was your last payment?

R : The payment last month was £X. A payment of £Y is due to go in today - I don't know whether it has gone through yet.

Bank : Just answer the question

R : OK then, last month's payment was £X

Bank: Sorry, you have failed to answer the question correctly.

R : It depends what you mean by "last". Today's payment is £Y

Bank : I cannot access the session again.

R. Can I start again then?

Bank: What is your mother's maiden name?

R : Bloggs

Bank : Incorrect

R : No it isn't, I know my own mother's name.

Bank : You have answered your memorable word incorrectly

R : You didn't ask for the memorable word, you asked for my mother's maiden name. It is XXXXX

Bank: You have already answered the question incorrectly. I cannot open the session again.

R : Please put me on to a supervisor who talks sense.

Supervisor : you will have to go into your bank in person and produce your passport.

R : You mean to talk to a real person?