Stupid Stupid Virgin Media...

grabbi · 21-02-2008, 13:21

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...nmedia.privacy

Calling people up and asking for their names, addresses and passwords indeed.

Someone actually thought doing this was a GOOD idea? Anyone ever seen Fonejacker!?

So, to start off 2008 with a bang, VM are gonna call people up and ask for personal stuff like those people do in Nigeria, to "deposit monies in your bank account" etc etc.

What a joke...

Callumpy · 21-02-2008, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbi

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...nmedia.privacy

Calling people up and asking for their names, addresses and passwords indeed.

Someone actually thought doing this was a GOOD idea? Anyone ever seen Fonejacker!?

So, to start off 2008 with a bang, VM are gonna call people up and ask for personal stuff like those people do in Nigeria, to "deposit monies in your bank account" etc etc.

What a joke...

lol

Kellargh · 21-02-2008, 13:48

Hmm...I've never heard of this, I'm on an outbound team for the Faults center - I call customers back when they've reported missing channels - the only time we ask for any personal information is if we need to discuss an issue on the customer's account.

XFS03 · 21-02-2008, 13:52

So, what would VM do if you refused to hand over your personal information over the phone? Cut you off?

Cerberus · 21-02-2008, 13:56

Smells of scam to me and if they did call me, I would ask for their name, department, location and managers name, before putting the phone down on them and doing some further checks. I wouldn't dream of giving out information like that.

As the article said, they should know this information already. So what's the point in calling you up? This isn't in line with the DPA at all.

Kellargh · 21-02-2008, 14:00

I really wouldn't think so. To be honest, unless it's a valid call back that you've expected from Virgin Media, then don't answer the questions.

lostandconfused · 21-02-2008, 14:26

Just one more of the dull processes that are blammed on the data protection act. What they should do if they do infact need to verify the customers details, ie to check that they have the correct ones, is explain this to the customer and ask the customer to call in. It is a free number after all

Magilla · 21-02-2008, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbi

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...nmedia.privacy

Calling people up and asking for their names, addresses and passwords indeed.

Someone actually thought doing this was a GOOD idea? Anyone ever seen Fonejacker!?

So, to start off 2008 with a bang, VM are gonna call people up and ask for personal stuff like those people do in Nigeria, to "deposit monies in your bank account" etc etc.

What a joke...

Nothing new here. About a year ago I had a problem with my emails vanishing before being delivered. Rang up tech support, who promptly asked me for my username and password. I refused, and they then refused to continue the call.
I complained in writing, never got a response.

lostandconfused · 21-02-2008, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magilla

Nothing new here. About a year ago I had a problem with my emails vanishing before being delivered. Rang up tech support, who promptly asked me for my username and password. I refused, and they then refused to continue the call.
I complained in writing, never got a response.

Are you ex-telewest or ex-ntl? If its ex-ntl it wouldnt really matter if you gave them your email adress and password.

raefil · 21-02-2008, 15:33

Ive been asked by telewest (virgin) on more than one occasion for my password. Have been asked the same by Sky in the past. On those occasions its only when I havve actually rung them.

tweetypie/8 · 21-02-2008, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbi

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...nmedia.privacy

Calling people up and asking for their names, addresses and passwords indeed.

Someone actually thought doing this was a GOOD idea? Anyone ever seen Fonejacker!?

So, to start off 2008 with a bang, VM are gonna call people up and ask for personal stuff like those people do in Nigeria, to "deposit monies in your bank account" etc etc.

What a joke...

cant see it happening from vm, someone is trying to wipe your eye if your daft enough to fall for it.

**Matt D** · 21-02-2008, 20:18

I read this in the paper itself today. Was going to start a thread myself. [I have just newsified it though]

Utterly stupid thing to do, IMO.

If you call *them*, then fair enough. You have to prove your identity, as otherwise how do they know who you say you are?

But if they cold-call you?! No way! They should not be asking for this.

I would never give out a password or other sensitive info to a company which had cold-called me. It's simply not safe. How do you know they are who they say they are?

daveetwo · 21-02-2008, 20:19

Did i read a short while back that virgin lost a lot of customers details? maybe thats whats caused these calls to be made.
Even so i certainly would give them information over the phone, it flies in the face of everything were always being told.

G UK · 21-02-2008, 20:26

One word.

Muppets.

Edit, OK maybe a few more, I'm really struggling to believe this is true, has anybody here actually had one of these calls?

Locky33 · 21-02-2008, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveetwo

Did i read a short while back that virgin lost a lot of customers details? maybe thats whats caused these calls to be made.
Even so i certainly would give them information over the phone, it flies in the face of everything were always being told.

Maybe you are thinking of prime ministers social security departments.