Strange Phone Call

[Rosie29]

I don't think this is a scam as such but it's left me feeling very uneasy.
Quietly well spoken female voice asking if any male members in household.
On enquiry she said she was from Oxfordshire County Council.I said I didn't give out information like that on the phone and asked for a letter or email.
She just repeated what she had said and I stupidly said that she was ringing the wrong place.
Of course by then I had given her the answer and if I had had my aged wits about me I would have doubted that OCC would ring on a Sat morning.
I am not in any sort of Council accommodation. I live alone and feel rather vulnerable now.
Has anyone else had similar?

[Bobbisox1]

Hi Rosie, some nutter chancing their luck to scare you, that why she asked if there was a male there with you, most phones have a blocking facility in the menu, have a look and block that number

[Prudie]

Is that your local council? It is unnerving but try not to worry. I had someone do similar to me many years back except they pretended it was surveying what men in the house watched on TV - turns out she was checking I was validly claiming the single person's council tax discount.

[Rosie29]

Thanks all. Yes it is my local Council. I dialled 1471 and it wasn't an Oxford number. I feel so foolish. What was the point of the call? Beats me.

[Bobbisox1]

There’s some total nutters out there Rosie but as Prudie has just said, maybe someone checking if you’re not ‘cheating’ the system by having someone living there, I don’t know if you are claiming one person council tax which everyone pays but it just might be that, I’ve a friend who’s employed by the benefits people ( not even sure what their title is) to do such things, but it also could just be a total nut job, I hope it stops

[teacake44]

It would be strange if I had a call at all. :0) ho ho

[Bobbisox1]

Aww I’ll ring you and pretend I’m from Camelot :0/

[NellieMay]

This was a serious post.

[teacake44]

NM we know , lighten up, she's already had good advice.

[Old_Geezer]

No doubt, but a bit of social interaction doesn't hurt.

Could be a council related firm. Could be folk just trying to gather info for commercial or other reasons. Try not to let it worry you, and be forewarned for next time.

[Rosie29]

You are a lovely lot - I feel better now x

[teacake44]

12.14 WOW!! I CAN HAVE ME NEW SHOES. :0)

[Bobbisox1]

Rosie put it behind you and maybe get call shield from your provider, BT, SKY, etc

[Barsel]

Always the best policy is to say as you did. Tell anyone who calls that start asking any questions and you don't know who they are ;

**I said I didn't give out information like that on the phone and asked for a letter or email.**

I also do this if someone comes to my door selling things. I tell them I never buy anything at the door.
Always best to get things in a letter or email and then you can decide whether or not to respond.