No you are NOT having my personal details.

SAHARA

No, its literally a "who are our customers exercise." I've been there 6 years, and theres never been a voucher run in that time based on this. In fact, the only time a voucher run has been done was when a rival supermarket was opening, and they carpet bombed the immediate area around the new supermarket.
Like I say, there are ways around it, but they don't like you knowing about them, they'd much rather you get told to sod off, or hold people up etc.
I don't like giving personal details when its not necessary, and I know a lot of people feel the same.

Trix

My mum was at my house when she recieved a call asking for me. "Sorry she's out at the minute, I'm babysitting", she said. The man then continued to tell her who he was, what he was calling about and called her Mrs *****. "It's Mrs *****" that you need to speak to my mum said not Mrs ***. and I'm not her anyway "Oh yes" he said ****** is her password :eek:

My mum then had a go at him for giving out my password and he said " But you're her mother". At no point had my mum told him who she was - just that she was babysitting and it didn't matter who she was my password should be secret.

stas4949

i hate it when you get callers pretending no know who you are;
"hi its Steve just returning your call"
Me "steve who, do i know you"
"you called to find out about our windows/facias/etc, can i have your address/details again"
Me "you're lying coz its not my house, where did you get my number?"
it always ends with salesperson getting flustered and me bombarding them with questions! i never give out my details over the phone or at the door.

we also have a little game in our house when the phone rings and someone asks for me (always pronouncing it wrong) i always say "just a sec i will go get her" then leave it on hold and take bets as to how long they will stay on line!!!!! kids find it hilarious. or we put it on loud speaker to see how many times they say "hello".

trickytrolleys

The one that really annoyed me was the charity collector who came to my house asking for my bank details! I said no and he was all shirty saying they were printed on chqs etc anyway - I told him I knew that but I was still not giving them to him - he acted as if I was the rude one! I emailed the charity concerned asking if they knew this was happening and never got a reply - I also hate being told how much I have to donate! Its a donation I can give what I like!

Frugal_Fox

ben500 wrote:

The problem with this particular question is it is usually followed by the inevitable "and can I have your door number please" and now you are immediately identifiable by a quick check of the electoral roll.

My local Waitrose were asking the same question - and all they wanted was the postal code - not the door number.

I had no issue with this, and freely gave it.

Personal information is for personal use - and people should be free to supply or with-hold whatever information they so desire. All I hope is that we treat the people asking for it politely - often it is not their idea to ask for the information, they are merely the 'dog's bodies' carrying out the work on behalf of management.

Frugal_Fox

Stonk wrote:

Banks need to realise they are going to have to find a way of assuring mutual security when they call a customer. They must give a little bit, and be less stubborn than just saying "I'm sorry, we can't give out that information", otherwise an increasing number of (sensible) people (just following guidleines regarding identity theft) are not going to talk to them. I don't think they should have any problem answering a question like "how much did I recently spend in Sainsbury's on my card" or "who takes a direct debit on the 15th of each month" from a customer they have called.

Having previously worked for a large telecommunications company - and having access to LOTS of personal data on our customers - it is very difficult to keep to the confines of the Data Protection Act (which are very stringent) whilst at the same time trying to allay a customers fears. We were not able to say why we were calling - incase we inadvertantly gave out personal information to anyone other than the signed account holder. It is a truely awful situation - horendous for the operator (call stats are diminishing - and whilst this is not the customers fault - no one like hassle from management when you are trying your best!), and very disconcerting for the customer - particularly in todays world of identity fraud. The easiest and simpliest method is that the call operator gives you a contact number - which you can find on a recent statement, or official documentation to double check, and allows you to call them back. I always offered this to my customers who were concerned, and yes although it does envariable mean an 0870 number it should at least allay your fears.

If I am expecting a call from an organisation - I do complete their security checks, if I'm not expecting a call - I refuse to participate, and request a number to call.

Please, please bear in mind that as an ex-call centre worker (and we are not all bad!) that if, as an employee, we broke the rules regarding the DPA we were in A LOT of trouble and our jobs could be on the line. In an environment where management taped calls - and monitored them (daily), failing to ask the required security questions meant a lot of trouble - and rightly so, whilst a lot of couples are very open with each other, personal information is just that - its up to the individual what they discuss with others, and the organisation is not in a position to make this decision.

Ask for the organisations phone number - any good company will be prepared to give you this, and understand why. If they refuse - write to complain to their head of Customer Service.

callansdad

rchddap1 wrote:

A few years ago OH had a telemarketer on the phone for ages. He was trying to sell conservatories. OH expressed his interest, asked lots of questions etc.... Towards the end of the call the marketer then asked where he lived so that he could come round and sort out all the paperwork that needs signing, measure up etc...

" Such'n'such close, its a first floor flat"

After a short pause...

" Ah says the marketer, sorry to bother you"

A few years ago my mate had a telemarketer call him selling windows. He listened to him for a few minutes and said that he would be interested, he asked how many windows he needed,

he replied "hundreds",

Getting really excited no he says "Thats a lot of windows can i ask what kind of property you live in?"

"I live in a greenhouse!"

I silent pause followed by dead ringtone!!

Mattjimf

Watching the first day of Sadam Hussain's trial on the news made me think of this thread when he refused to give his name.

fi3007

The other day I asked for a refund for something I paid £3.99 for on my credit card. There were other items that I bought by credit card which was swiped and the transaction completed within about five seconds. They don't want any details.
However for a REFUND I had to fill in my name, address etc. which took ages to fill out the form etc. - I hadn't even opened the packet. I felt like I was being picked on for taking something back...

black-saturn

Someone rang me up the other day and asked for me. I knew it was one of those mobile phone canvassers (I have caller display and it was with held) so I said "sorry shes not here". Then the canvasser said "Well who are you?" and I said "I'm not telling you who I am I don't even know you". Then she said "Are you her sister?" and I said "She hasn't got a sister and even if she did it would be none of your business". Then I said "Whatever your selling she won't be interested" and put the phone down. I get one of these calls every day. Are they always from the same company or is it the same one that never gets the message?