"Bank" call on mobile phone

WatlingA5

My wife got a call, allegedly from Natwest, asking if she had a few minutes to talk about her account. Being suspicious by nature, she asked how she was supposed to be sure it was the bank. "Well, we could go through the security procedure."

She told the caller she was not comfortable talking about banking over her mobile phone and politely rang off.

I said she was absolutely right.

One friend who had a similar call, got to the "security procedure" line and said "OK - what's my mother's maiden name?"

End of call :rotfl:

FireWyrm

I agree. It annoys me too. They call my mobile number which I answer as myself and yet they still insist on asking to speak to 'me' by name as well as then insisting on 'security' verification. What about my security? The answers I have to give could potentially give enough information to access a bank account or take out credit in my name, it's simply ridiculous.

I've always thought that a better option is to simply write an old fashioned letter to me asking whatever they want to. Dollars to doughnuts, it's a selling situation anyway and frankly, I have better things to do than answer their inane questions for five minutes before actually finding out what they want.

stclair

Common sense would tell me to change your marketing preferences to stop these type of calls.

FireWyrm

stclair wrote: »

Common sense would tell me to change your marketing preferences to stop these type of calls.

It doesnt apparently seem to make a difference. They still call no matter how many times you tell them to remove your number from their marketing lists.

ChiefGrasscutter

That is because they now call them "service calls" to get round the marketing opt out.

WatlingA5

stclair wrote: »

Common sense would tell me to change your marketing preferences to stop these type of calls.

Well, I eventually worked out how to do that (thought I already had and lucky I've retired and have the time!). You have to click on "Update mobile phone number" and then untick the marketing box. Then go through the cardreader procedure.

Much simpler if there was simply a preferences list on the accounts summary page, but that won't happen

I'll get the missus to do hers when she gets home.

Fact remains, neither of us for one moment thought it was a genuine call.

stclair

If you don't think the call is genuine simply hang up and call back on a number your familiar with.

Goldiegirl

How would you feel if some random person in your workplace picked up your mobile phone call, pretended to be you, and the bank DIDN'T ask security questions, and revealed lots of financial information about you to your colleague.

Not too happy I suspect.

The bank has to make sure they are talking to the right person.

If you aren't interested in the call, just say no thank you and hang up. Simples.

dalesrider

FireWyrm wrote: »

It annoys me too. They call my mobile number which I answer as myself and yet they still insist on asking to speak to 'me' by name as well as then insisting on 'security' verification. What about my security? The answers I have to give could potentially give enough information to access a bank account or take out credit in my name, it's simply ridiculous.

I've always thought that a better option is to simply write an old fashioned letter to me asking whatever they want to.

Look at it from my point of view.... I make these outbound calls (fraud related). So mobile always gets the quickest answer.
So sending a letter is last resort. Or people complain... Why did you not ring me.... Why have I had to wait a week to find out my card is blocked.... Why am I wasting my money calling you...
While I call the numbers listed on customers account. You will be amazed at the number where, either it does not ring (dissconnected) or the number now belongs to someone else :mad:
All because they have forgotten to update your bank with your new details.
How would you feel if the caller simply went into their speel without checking who you are????
Very angry at a guess. And with good reason.
Or its a sole account and they speak to your other half who does not know about that account :rotfl:

So next time you speak to your bank. Ask what their outbound security will be.

Or as someone else suggested. Say sorry, but I will ring you back on a known number.
I'm quite happy for you to do that or offer to answer some of your security questions. You may pose.

jonesMUFCforever

I agree dalesrider but IMO the majority of calls made are to sell products ie they see you are overdrawn and try to sell you a loan etc.

pmduk

Goldiegirl wrote: »

The bank has to make sure they are talking to the right person.

Much better if the bank didn't make sales calls. In the case of fraud calls, just ask people to call back on their usual number as there is an urgent matter that needs discussion.

No way am I ever prepared to answer security questions on an inbound call.