mysterious telephone call - is it a con?

[BrookeBond]

Hi,
My neighbour just told me that someone called her to ask her to pass on a contact number to my partner as he had lost touch with him. When she told them they would need to give her more details to prove they knew him the caller could tell them my name. We didn't recognise the name but called out of curiousity - when we called the number the man asked my husband if he stayed in 'such a street' and was he born on 'such a date'. When he answered 'no' without giving out his actual details they said it must be the wrong person. Does anyone know if this is some sort of con as something doesn't add up right?

Thanks for your views,
BB

[topogigo]

It could be a con, those that con, are devious SOB's.
It could be kosher.
I would only try and contact someone for a genuine reason, wouldn't you. Call and ask for more details, don't give any more of yours.

[~max~]

Could be an agency hired to find the heir to a will.....;O)

[Whickerman]

It's a common method used by debt collection agencies - be aware that the more unscrupulous ones will send a bill to everyone they can find with the name they're looking for, and threaten legal action/bailiffs in the hope that one of them will pay up...

[Rtaxron]

What kind of number was it, I mean, an 0870 or 0874.

It could be a high rate tel number?

[BrookeBond]

Hi,

Normally i would have thought it would be some sort of debt thingy but the only debt we really have is our mortgage which gets paid on time.

It was an 0207 number - London i think? (Not really sure because we live in Scotland)


Brooke