Can it Get Any Dumber Today?

[sjfine]

With respect, this is 100% untrue. Banks are prohibited from disclosing personal information without identification and this is baked in all down the line. If there's any doubt, just ask for a direct dial and return the call.

You should never get a call from any company asking you to confirm your identity. Of course, banks (and other entities) are prohibited from disclosing private information without confirming your identity, but these entities should never initiate that call.
I would never give out account numbers, addresses, phone numbers, or the last four digits of my SSN (the other five digits are never required to talk to someone, so having the last four is all a thief needs).
Banks, especially banks, should communicate in writing, asking for confirm your identity only when you initiate the call.
Not too long ago, I was the target for a fairly sophisticated scam involving my trust account. The scammers had the account numbers, and access to a fairly good copy of Chase Bank's cashier's checks. The scam did not work, but it attempted to get over $200,000 from my account. Apparently, some lawyers are nuts, and these scams sometimes work. The cashier's check never clears (of course), but the attorneys wire the funds before the check clears.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

sjf, all due respect, do you you bank in America? Because this will happen all the time. Sure, they shouldn't do this, but for their and our protection they have to. But, if you have had an account that has ever overdrafted, (or apparently my case, I had money in the acct, ha ha) this will happen, and it is best for us, because it gives us a chance to fix the problem before it gets out of control.

But, as a business owner with three banks, many accounts, I get a call at least once a week about one thing or other. Mostly just a call about an update or other such thing, but they always verify who they are talking to, always.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

or other such thing, but they always verify who they are talking to, always.

...except for my mortgage company, who apparently doesn't know me, nor where I live, nor what the loan was for, ha ha. I just wish they didn't also have my phone number, ha ha.

 

[sjfine]

sjf, all due respect, do you you bank in America?

Apparently not.

 

[deathmetal]

Banks, especially banks, should communicate in writing, asking for confirm your identity only when you initiate the call.

This is good security practice.
Also, if someone calls saying they're from the bank, credit card company, Microsoft, etc. ask them for a number you can call them back at.
The scammers hang up at that point.

 

[perdurabo]

I wish ISIS Would recognize Collection Agencies as the "Great Satan" and throw all their misguided hate at these Agnecies. If you are in business, you should take responsibility for your debt collection, instead of selling it to vipers. Last time I had an issue, I told them:
"Thank You for paying that Doctor the $40 on my behalf, that was mighty nice of you."
CA: "Sir you owe....."
Me: "I owe you nothing,, I never gave you permission to pay my debt! You can send whatever you want to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington Dc. The gentleman in the office up there loves to be beneficial with other people's money, ask him to write you a check." Click!
Never heard from them again.