Genealogy Chat

nudge

If they do it to me, I will just tell them a 3 digit number that is incorrect and then see if they say "that is correct". It might be fun to then tell them I have made a mistake and got it wrong, giving them another incorrect 3 digit number just to see what they say.

I had the Family Allowance people phone up the other day at 6pm, he wanted to know how I would be having my payment. And said he needed to ask me a couple of security questions like the number on my book. I said to him that I wasnt prepared to do that as I didnt know who he was, and no one had ever phoned me before about this, as it is done by letters. He then offered to tell me when my book ran out and I said look I am very sorry but I dont want any personal information exchanged over the phone unless I had phoned them. He decided the best option was to send out a letter, yes I recieved it 2 days later. I did feel awful but you do have to be so careful and it is sad that you cant trust anyone.

Tell them you haven't got your card to hand and ask for THEIR telephone number so you can ring them back - if they give it, pass it to your bank - if they don't, see if you can get it by hanging up and dialling 1471, then give it to your bank - either way NEVER give out info about your cards to anyone over the phone and, if using the net to buy things, make sure that the site is secure before adding your card details (a padlock should appear in bottom right of your screen) Tony

Margaret I worked for a mortgage lender and often had to ring people to ask for their address. If it was a new house, we often only had a plot number instead of a street and house number. Of course, the postman didn't know where plot 34 now was and kept returning letters we sent out. Of course, most borrowers didn't understand this and refused to divulge their address. Consequently quite a few fell behind with their repayments, didn't know it and so did nothing. Not everyone who rings you is trying to con you, but sadly a few are.

What is happening to this world. I suppose the best thing to do would be contact your bank yourself and check with them if you are unsure. At the end of the day though, as your bankers tell you, they would never ask you to confirm a security pin or last tree digits on the back. I feel sorry for those that get caught up and losing out. Nicky

Thank you Jim How do they get hold of your phone number? Must be bent employees selling on credit card numbers and phone numbers from previous internet purchases? I know lots of garages skim cards - so we only pay cash now. My auntie got conned out of £500 from a dodgy petrol cashier. Jacquie

Must think we are zipped up the back. I have had a couple of them. I tell them they have got it wrong, no payment like that on my account, I have just checked online. I wonder why they hang up

I was told today about a new telephone scam. A call purporting to have come from your Credit Card Company, (eg Halifax) and says that your Buying Pattern had suddenly changed and there is a debit of £179.00 goods bought from so and so. When you say that you haven't bought that item they will say "Have you still got your Credit Card in your possession?" When you say yes they will ask you to just read out the last three numbers on the strip at the back of the card, and they will be able to strike out the transaction and refund your money. Don't do it. If you give them the number you will find on your next bill a charge of £179.00 because that is all they need for Internet purchases.