Meter Reading - nosey?

doyouknow?

I’ve just tried to give a meter reading to a large utility company and the automated service transferred me to an operator whom asked me to confirm my account number – done, address – done and then my data of birth. I asked why they want my d.o.b. and received a reply twice for “data protection”. Is this usual? What records do they have to compare with anyway?

spiro

Because anyone could see your bill and phone in pretending to be you. DoB is not readily available.

OlyL

its data protection. most companies will ask you to confirm 3 security questions. like spiro said usually including something not readily available. & if the adviser doesnt and the call is being monitored and they fail to comply with data protection rules, its a potential sacking for them.

Plushchris

doyouknow? wrote: »

I’ve just tried to give a meter reading to a large utility company and the automated service transferred me to an operator whom asked me to confirm my account number – done, address – done and then my data of birth. I asked why they want my d.o.b. and received a reply twice for “data protection”. Is this usual? What records do they have to compare with anyway?

Yes it is usual, why do you have a problem with them making sure nobody else can access your account?

Dont forget you phoned them, so its not like its going to be a scam is it

jalexa

doyouknow? wrote: »

I’ve just tried to give a meter reading to a large utility company and the automated service transferred me to an operator whom asked me to confirm my account number – done, address – done and then my data of birth. I asked why they want my d.o.b. and received a reply twice for “data protection”. Is this usual? What records do they have to compare with anyway?

I can answer that. Some companies already know your DOB know having made it a mandatory question before agreeing what terms to supply you on, having performed a credit check (the reason for the DOB).

Suppliers that have not asked, and are therefore not aware of your DOB, will nevertheless still ask, but will capture your response.

Next time you call they compare with your previous answer.

There is a real "data protection" issue here, but not the one they say. It is the capturing of the data without the Data Subject's "informed consent" about the real reasons for the question.

If I had more time I would "go to town" on the issue with the Information Commissioner, unfortunately just gettimg my payments right is currently a sufficient challenge.

jalexa

Plushchris wrote: »

Yes it is usual, why do you have a problem with them making sure nobody else can access your account?

Please engage your brain. DOB is actually "public domain information" and is commonly known by a wide range of people, including by casual overhearing in an office.

The "most secure" piece of information actually is the "account number".

Your comment is right, but your analysis is flawed.

Farway

jalexa wrote: »

Please engage your brain.
Your comment is right, but your analysis is flawed.

I suggest you engage "polite / tact" mode before posing in future

jalexa

Farway wrote: »

I suggest you engage "polite / tact" mode before posing in future

before posing???

doyouknow?

Thank you for the replies.

I had actually telephoned automated meter reading service so had not invited person and questioning contact of my own volition;

The utilities company has never sought any details of my d.o.b. up to this encounter and I have not provided (not at contract service request stage) hence my considering how they could compare my d.o.b. - I think ‘capture’ more likely (jalexa) and just offering 2 words of “data protection” is therefore inadequate IMO;

I pay my bills quarterly (not on direct debit) but wonder what security screening is given to their staff – afterall, they have your bank details for direct debit, an address – who knows how that could pan out with a d.o.b. too…………Data Protection works both ways.

Plushchris

doyouknow?

Great passport photo