Can the DWP find out your land line number

Morglin

It seems that they often find out the phone numbers of many claimants, who don't give their landlines, even if they are ex directory, as others have reported the same thing.

Lin

C.C.L.

My landline is ex-directory and the number is permanently withheld when making a call. I recently rang the council and the operator when asking for my details to get back to me said the number you are calling from is showing as xxxxxxxxxxx is that your home phone number? When I told him it was ex-directory and also withheld he told me the number came up on screen regardless. Probably the same for all government organisations?

Morglin

Yeah, I think it is - they seem to be able to find all numbers, withheld or not.

Lin

Angelicdevil

C.C.L. wrote: »

My landline is ex-directory and the number is permanently withheld when making a call. I recently rang the council and the operator when asking for my details to get back to me said the number you are calling from is showing as xxxxxxxxxxx is that your home phone number? When I told him it was ex-directory and also withheld he told me the number came up on screen regardless. Probably the same for all government organisations?

Morglin wrote: »

Yeah, I think it is - they seem to be able to find all numbers, withheld or not.

Lin

Same with the police, if you call with a withheld number they can still trace it.

rds60h

Why should the OP give a contact phone number ?
In my experience it is best NEVER to deal with anything official on the phone, I always insist on everything being in writting and I keep copies of any replies that I make that way I always have proof of what has been said. It also means that I can keep this "evidence" for as many years as I wish, which has been an absolute blessing more than once !!!

cattermole

rds60h wrote: »

Why should the OP give a contact phone number ?
In my experience it is best NEVER to deal with anything official on the phone, I always insist on everything being in writting and I keep copies of any replies that I make that way I always have proof of what has been said. It also means that I can keep this "evidence" for as many years as I wish, which has been an absolute blessing more than once !!!

This is a fair point.

I do agree about keeping things in writing.

ArtoDeeto

sja75 wrote: »

up for descriptor 13. Does anyone think the DWP are attempting to catch me out?
Any advice would be most welcome.

Catch you out for what???

Morglin

rds60h wrote: »

Why should the OP give a contact phone number ?
In my experience it is best NEVER to deal with anything official on the phone, I always insist on everything being in writting and I keep copies of any replies that I make that way I always have proof of what has been said. It also means that I can keep this "evidence" for as many years as I wish, which has been an absolute blessing more than once !!!

I put everything in writing too, and only ever give out my mobile number.

But, the DWP have phoned, on my ex directory landline, before now, which suggests they can find out the number anyway.

Lin

Xign

Morglin wrote: »

I put everything in writing too, and only ever give out my mobile number.

But, the DWP have phoned, on my ex directory landline, before now, which suggests they can find out the number anyway.

Lin

Likewise I had this before. Someone from the DWP phoned on my landline. I only give people my mobile, as my home phone is never near me at home and I have to find it. It's a pain. But yes they phoned me on the landline.

Doesn't really bother me.

rds60h

Morglin wrote: »

I put everything in writing too, and only ever give out my mobile number.

But, the DWP have phoned, on my ex directory landline, before now, which suggests they can find out the number anyway.

Lin

I have also had it happen Morglin, and have always told them I have no intention of discussing anything on the phone and tell them to put it all in writing.
If they have rang you on a landline when you have not given it out this actually amounts to harassment and it can be registered as an official complaint.