Is This A Scam?

[Caran]

I received a letter from Saga Shareholder Services. It was regarding my dividend payments. I had received a cheque a few weeks ago for the first dividend. With it was a form for me to fill in if I wanted this paid directly to my bank account. I didn't fill it in as I preferred a cheque.
The letter said I had asked for the payment method to be changed to my bank.
It was on official looking Saga headed paper with an 0800 phone number and a proper named person.
I phoned and told them I had not asked for this to be done. After a lot of questions she asked me for my bank details so she could compare them with what was on this form. I refused and said I never give my details by phone. I asked which bank was on the form but she refused saying data protection and all that wouldn't let her.
I was on the phone for almost thirty minutes. She said she had removed the details and I would carry on receiving cheques.
I felt a bit uncomfortable about it. Has anyone else had this happen?
What do you think about this?

[ukbod2015]

Did you google the number and see if it comes up as a kosher Saga number.

[Zacs-Master]

I think you were very sensible. I presume you have their correct phone number on some correspondence? I would phone them and report the incident.

[Caran]

No I never thought of that. I'll give it a go, thank you ukbod.

[Caran]

Good idea Zacs-Master, thank you.

[Caran]

Gone through all saga paperwork and the phone number is the same. I also googled it and it is saga.
I don't understand how anyone could have filled in the form saying change it to bank though. I still have that form so I know I didn't.
Still a bit concerned though.

[Zacs-Master]

I think they're just trying it on. Much less admin costs to pay it into your bank. I have to say, I don't know why you wouldn't want this. Far less hassle.

[Caran]

If it was paid into my main account I wouldn't notice it. I have what I call my bounce account that I pay all odd cheques like premium bond winnings and lottery winnings into. This soon mounts up and it's my spends for holidays!

[Caran]

Bunce not bounce!!

[Zacs-Master]

So,get it paid into your 'bounce' account.

[Pete65]

Still sounds odd?
A reputable company asking for your bank details over the phone.
Should not happen.
Well done on your bunce/winnings account!

[Canary42]

I too would feel uncomfortable. It sounds more like a fraud or a Saga error than a scam. Someone has sent a form in with your details but their bank in order that payments can be diverted (or a genuine form from another shareholder has generated the letter to you instead - a computer or clerical error).

Very odd that she refused to give you details of what was on a form allegedly sent in by you.

I think you should follow it up with a letter asking why they sent you this letter when you hadn't asked for the change, and also ask for written confirmation that you will continue to receive cheques.

[Caran]

Thank you Canary. I will look into this tomorrow.

[anotheoldgit]

Can't understand why they told you that you had requested payment into your bank, when you say you hadn't.

I received a share cheque the other week, and on the attached form it also gave me the chance to have my dividend paid into my bank.

Since my local branch is closing, and it means a long hike to another branch just to pay in a cheque, I decided to have future payments paid into my bank.

Filled in the form, and they in return acknowledged it's arrival and confirmation that my payment method had been altered.

Of course I could have gone on to their web-site and done it on-line.