telephone call security questions

valvetronic

hi all,
i just wished to have a moan really after getting yet another call on my mobile(didnt even know they had my number) by one of my credit card providers.
my point is - they call you at home or on mobile, and demand to know security questions before discussing anything. But how do i know thats is a genuine call and not a scam?
i always refuse to give any security details and instead invite them to tell me my password etc so they can prove they are who they say they are, but they always refuse citing data protection mumbo jumbo.
anyway, what do others think of this? am i being too careful, or should i stand my ground and refuse to give out personal details?

thoughts appreciated....

McKneff

I;m with you.

If they can't confirm who they are then stand your ground, tell them if they need to contact you, then do it by mail.

Gromitt

I normally respond something like:

"Is this a sales call?"

If they answer "Yes" or mumble, I assume so and tell them to mail me instead.

If they answer "No", then I ask for their name and ring them back.

Barclays are about the only bank that attempt to identify themselves, giving me my current account sort code and the last 4 digits of my main debit card. The rest just seem to spout the data protection act and keep saying they need to know who they are talking to before they'll give out any details.

I wouldn't flatly refused a phone call as it might be the bank saying my credit card has just been used in Guatemala or somewhere and wanting to know if it was genuine.

mgdavid

Also with you; I had a call this morning from a well-spoken chap with a UK regional accent, claiming to be from 'Visa authorisations'. When I said I would need to take him through security , and how was he going to identify himself, there was a bit of a silence then he hung up :T

dalesrider

Look at it from my point of view.....
I'm one of the people who do this

bank saying my credit card has just been used in Guatemala or somewhere and wanting to know if it was genuine.

You will be amazed the number of people who fail to update their bank with new mobile numbers.
So that old number goes back into the pool of numbers to be dished out again.

I DO NOT KNOW YOUR PASSWORD....
Only the computer knows that and when calling in asks for certain letters at random.
It is not stored in any form that allows any staff member to see it.
I can give you some other details, but only a couple of letters or numbers out of your set security details. Which I can see, as I have to ask these.
If you do not want to go through security then that is OK. I will just say well callback on the number on the reverse of your card and you will get passed ot the department to deal with you.

As to the call from "'Visa authorisations'"..... ITS A SCAM to get your security details.
They usually ask you to enter your PIN into the phone and then say a courier is coming to pick the card up...
If you get one of these calls.
DO NOT CALL YOUR BANK back on the same phone straight away. Either use another phone. Or wait several hours to ensure they are still not holding the line open.

artbaron

I got a call the other week due to yet another scumbag getting hold of my card details. I didn't answer their questions, rang them back on another phone and was put through within a minute. I've always thought it weird that they'd expect people to give information on what seems like a 'cold call'.

Sensory

Never feel embarrassed or shamed into revealing your personal information (fraudsters will exploit any avenue they can). A genuine caller would understand your concerns and have no problems with you hanging up and calling back.

Gels

Is it possible to exchange latest transaction details on the account before giving out passwords - has anyone tried this?

stclair

valvetronic wrote: »

hi all,
i just wished to have a moan really after getting yet another call on my mobile(didnt even know they had my number) by one of my credit card providers.
my point is - they call you at home or on mobile, and demand to know security questions before discussing anything. But how do i know thats is a genuine call and not a scam?
i always refuse to give any security details and instead invite them to tell me my password etc so they can prove they are who they say they are, but they always refuse citing data protection mumbo jumbo.
anyway, what do others think of this? am i being too careful, or should i stand my ground and refuse to give out personal details?

thoughts appreciated....

If in doubt call them back on number your familiar with or ask them to write to you sounds quiet straight forward to me.

LutonGirl

I got fed up with organisations calling me then asking me to verify who I was, but being defensive and sometimes rude when I challenged them. MBNA you know who you are...I've told them never to call, but to write to me with their offers instead. I screen calls on my house phone before picking up. It's definitely cut down on the calls I get.

olly300

It's better them calling you then just blocking a legit transaction and not informing you. I've had that from Barclaycard. I know other people have had that from HSBC.

And yes always call them back.