Had A Call From British Gas.......

[10ClarionSt]

......t'other day. I knew what it was about cos I'm always late paying the bill. Anyway, someone called who said his name was Afzal. He asked if my name was Mr. Clarion and was I the bill payer. I said yes to both questions. He then asked for confirmation of that by asking for my password. I said I'm not giving you my password as you could be anybody. He said I'll give you my phone number here, and you can ring me back. What?! I said no chance. That's one thing people are advised not to do. I said he should be answering MY security questions, not me divulging my security information to anyone who calls and says they're from British Gas, at which point he hung up.

[Chris38]

Well done, 10ClarionSt. It`s amazing from some of the replies you received how many people take a soppy attitude to spam callers. Perhaps draw the line at obscenities but the ruder the better with these scum.

[ummmm]

He doesn't know it's a scam call. He was expecting a call from BG because he hadn't paid his bill and then he gets a phone call from BG. Seriously...what can a scammer do with a password? If any questions are intrusive after that then phone them back. Or better still...pay your bill!

[Jackdaw33]

Spath never misses an opportunity to emphasise how YOUNG he is. I would be interested to see this Youth in numerals.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Absolutely right - google the number if you have it - various sites will tell you if its dodgy or kosher.

[Rockrose]

Sky ask for your whole password as does O2

[ummmm]

And does BG and they won't talk to anyone who isn't the account holder unless it's an emergency.

Crapatcryptics - He could always fetch his bill and get the number off that.

[sanmac]

A simple post regarding British Gas has certainly generated a lot of hot air:)

[bookbinder]

10ClarionSt: if you paid your gas bills on time, you wouldn't have any of this hassle. Why not just pay your bills when you're asked?

[jambutty]

You should NEVER give your password to anyone asking for it over the 'phone, this is a common scam trick. Well done you.

[jambutty]

Also, they provide a number for you to ring which is also part of the scam, but seems genuine enough at the time. I know because my friend's elderly Mum was caught out in this way and it caused her a lot of grief.

[Rockrose]

Jambutty you are incorrect some companies ask you to provide a password that you give when you speak to the call centre, as I said earlier Sky and O2 are some of those

[jambutty]

If you say so, but I repeat NEVER give your password (for anything) over the 'phone to anybody. And if I am late paying my gas bill, I always get a follow up letter telling me I haven't paid, never had a 'phone call. Mind you, it doesn't happen very often as I generally pay on time!

[sanmac]

I think the general rule is that if YOU phone the call-centre and they ask for a password then it's OK to give it. However if THEY call you then it's not OK.

[Canary42]

/// if you paid your gas bills on time, you wouldn't have any of this hassle.///

So paying bills on time prevents you receiving Scam Calls - I don't think so.

[ummmm]

Jambutty...it's true. BG ask for a password. The want to know they are talking to the account holder and not just a visitor to your house. You don't have to start giving them your bank details. If Clarion hasn't paid his bill they'll be checking why and when he intends to.

Could you imagine if they phoned and started discussing your arrears with a visitor.

[ladybirder]

If you call them, then they may ask a couple of security questions and I would tell them.

But not if someone called me, no way.

[Old_Geezer]

Have read the thread title; and, you know ? I'm beginning to think the call wasn't from British Gas as claimed, after all.

[jackthehat]

Just to be on the safe-side, I suggest 10clarion checks his statements over the next few days just to make sure no-one had hacked his account and he has been paying for supplying the whole of Stalybridge, without his knowledge....

[jambutty]

Same here lb.

[10ClarionSt]

Whether I pay on time or not is irrelevant. Security is relevant and is the point I'm making. I always pay my bills, maybe not on time, but I always pay them. I think the security issue with these companies is very much a one-way ticket and scammers know that. Comments by the PPP brigade on here are totally irrelevant to the issue. Laughable. PPP? Precious, Prim & Proper. Don't forget to wipe the crumbs from the side of your mouth!