The oddest phonecall, scam?

[Youknowaboutthepaint]

I had a call apparently from a company I have a very small and very historic savings policy with. It's coming up for maturity and she wanted to give me my options. She gave me her full name, but she also wanted me to tell her my full name, address and DOB.

I said she called me and I wasn't comfortable giving that information.

She said she understood, they'd write, could I save her details and call her back.

So some sort of scam? Why can't I just respond to the letter, when it comes? Or maybe she gets some sort of commission if I discuss the options with her.

Why do they need to check ID when they called you and if they do, why do it in a way that involves handing over information financial companies themselves warn you to protect?

Doesn't sound like a scam. The information she requested was fairly standard to identify you before she discussed a personal financial matter. Any legitimate company is happy for you to not want to do that though if you'd rather wait for the letter and call them back if necessary.

They have to check that you're the person they need to speak to, in case they've got the wrong number or somebody else answers your phone. All sounds pretty standard to me and doesn't suggest a scam.

I've had calls from Halifax before (I work there) where they've asked for my details - no way José.

If it is a company you know holds an account of yours give them a call back and do it that way round. You should never give out personal details over the phone unless you have instigated the call or are expecting a call at a pre-arranged time.

never give personal details over the phone unless you have called them

Just call the company?

Look up the number for the company and check it tallies with the number she gave you.

I had that with an insurance company. I had phoned them initially and spoken to someone who then phoned me back a few days later and asked me for my details. I said I wasn't happy giving them as they had phoned me but I recognised the voice so just did it.

I'd have done what you did in this instance though @Youknowaboutthepaint because it was an out of the blue call.