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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if giving a false phone number is a thing?

740 replies

DuckyMcDuck · 01/10/2020 18:31

Went to a cafe with a friend, we sat outside but she was asked for her phone number. Once we sat down, she admitted that she always gives a false number and so does everyone she knows.

Is this really a common thing? I haven't been in places very much but have always given my number when asked.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 01/10/2020 21:08

If you can't afford to risk the time off work then don't go anywhere. It's not hard.

Either give the correct details or don't go

Reviewsplease · 01/10/2020 21:14

For those that dont give their number

  1. You are aware that tax payers money is spent on those running the track and trace phone line. So by giving a false number you are wasting their time and therefore tax payers money therefore your money (assuming you work of course)
  1. The number you give could actually be someone else's number so you are wasting their time.
  1. You are an arse and contributing to us having more restrictions cause the government cant trust people to be honest and do the right thing.
thecatsatonthewall · 01/10/2020 21:17

1. You are aware that tax payers money is spent on those running the track and trace phone line. So by giving a false number you are wasting their time and therefore tax payers money therefore your money (assuming you work of course)

Trac and trac don't use the info, waste of f ing time

Mum2jenny · 01/10/2020 21:22

Trac and trace seem to be totally pointless as they do not appear to work in many scenarios

Janevaljane · 01/10/2020 21:26

I'm not sure the Track and Trace system is as effective as some of you think. I don't blame people not wanting to give their details.

Potterpotterpotter · 01/10/2020 21:26

@CatSmith

Reading this, some people seriously deserve to carptch Covid and die! So many selfish twats! Just give your number or don’t go out you knob!!!
So I deserve to die because I didn’t give my correct number..

Oh fuck off.

ravensoaponarope · 01/10/2020 21:26

"Perhaps if you didn’t go out so often to pubs and restaurants you’d be able to have savings in case you need to self isolate for two weeks." Grin

Whatwouldscullydo · 01/10/2020 21:38

I'm not sure the Track and Trace system is as effective as some of you think. I don't blame people not wanting to give their details

I'm puzzled as to what other situation would lead people to blindly follow something like this without question and not be remotely worried. I mean on here we have take of details not even being used by track akd trace. Numbers being used ti harass a woman. Numbers on pieces of paper and in sign in books in view if anyone and everyone.

Does anyone actually know who reads it and where it goes ir checks their info was shredded ?

Seems even some staff have nk idea what to do with it so why the unquestioning compliance

Reviewsplease · 01/10/2020 21:41

@thecatsatonthewall But people are giving false info to track and trace too.

I know someone who worked the phone line. First call they had phoned the person to be told they had the wrong guy, was given another number, they phoned and was told they needed the original guy, phoned first one back who refused to answer.... dead end nothing they could do.... person potentially with covid now running about.

For the restaurants it helps the entire society to know if they are at risk of catching covid by being in the same location . Door handle, toilet flush, soap dispenser, innocently touching the back of a chair... the list is endless cause no one really knows how this infection is passed on all we know Is that it seems to happen easily. Just because someone may not be affected at all or badly doesnt mean they then wont pass it on to someone who is.

If people cant give their phone number to a company they clearly deem worthy as they have entered the premises to use the facility then they shouldn't be going out.

Boobissue · 01/10/2020 21:45

I'm puzzled as to what other situation would lead people to blindly follow something like this without question and not be remotely worried.*

Maybe a global pandemic is unique?

I mean on here we have take of details not even being used by track akd trace. Numbers being used ti harass a woman. Numbers on pieces of paper and in sign in books in view if anyone and everyone.

Put a male "COVID" name, ie John instead of Jane, it when you are contacted you know why they're asking for John

Does anyone actually know who reads it and where it goes ir checks their info was shredded ?

No issue, wrong name not wrong number, so you'll be contacted within 14 days or if after that you know it's a hoax?

Seems even some staff have nk idea what to do with it so why the unquestioning compliance

It's all to do with this being a first ever event, we could help them by telling the truth about our numbers.

But hey, you just keep on trotting out your shite excuses!

Original poster
DuckyMcDuck · 01/10/2020 22:00

Sorry to disappear, helping DS with his homework.

The request was for COVID tracing and I am reassured that most people aren't giving false information.

Like many others, it hadn't occurred to me not to give my number and, much as it would be a real pain in the arse to have to self-isolate, I'd rather do that than risk passing anything onto anyone vulnerable.

OP posts:
MushMonster · 01/10/2020 22:04

We do give our real details. We do want to be warned if we have been in a risky situation.
Why just why people give false data? And try to play the system? What for? She is out with a friend, no with someone having an affair, or selling illegal stuff. I do not understand this at all. We do have to help to protect each other....

12frogsincoats · 01/10/2020 22:05

There really is some hypocrisy on this thread!

If you have vulnerable friends and family members maybe you shouldn't be going out to pubs and restaurants whether people are giving fake numbers or not. If you take responsibility for your own actions, the actions of people giving fake numbers won't affect you. After all, visiting pubs, restaurants and cafes is not essential.

Potterpotterpotter · 01/10/2020 22:06

Perhaps if you didn’t go out so often to pubs and restaurants you’d be able to have savings in case you need to self isolate for two weeks.

I have savings, doesn’t mean I want to use them because joe blogs 10 tables across In the pub has got covid.

I’d rather spend them on something more worthy then staying in my house for two weeks bored shitless.

MushMonster · 01/10/2020 22:08

Track and trace "does not work very well" if they cannot contact half the people on their possible listConfused so that surely is not a reason to give wrong info.

ilovesooty · 01/10/2020 22:09

@Potterpotterpotter

Perhaps if you didn’t go out so often to pubs and restaurants you’d be able to have savings in case you need to self isolate for two weeks.

I have savings, doesn’t mean I want to use them because joe blogs 10 tables across In the pub has got covid.

I’d rather spend them on something more worthy then staying in my house for two weeks bored shitless.

It's not about you, what you want and avoiding a bit of boredom. It's about social responsibility.
winetime89 · 01/10/2020 22:10

Yep I give a fake number too. I don't want track and trace getting in touch with me. If partner had to self isolate that's two weeks on no pay.

MiddleClassProblem · 01/10/2020 22:16

[quote Boobissue]@tootiredtothinkofanewname read the OP again, OP she hasn't been in places very much but always gives her number when she is.

You think it's not about COVID?[/quote]
I thought she meant she’s just very sheltered 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I’m blaming my cold.

ineedaholidaynow · 01/10/2020 22:17

So why do you go out @winetime89? Do you not think you are being selfish? How would you feel if the hospitality industry has to close because of people giving false numbers?

ClarencesMum · 01/10/2020 22:17

I gove a false number too, just change a couple of digits.

Surely if someone gets contacted because someone used their number it's easy to say 'no, that wasnt me' and chances are you live miles apart anyway?

And what exactly are the data protection/GDPR guidelines say about all this?

Our local barber has already text me twice with marketing texts after leaving my details when I took my sons for a haircut.

ilovesooty · 01/10/2020 22:22

I see more unapologetically selfish people are making an appearance. Hmm

lifesalongsong · 01/10/2020 22:22

@winetime89

Yep I give a fake number too. I don't want track and trace getting in touch with me. If partner had to self isolate that's two weeks on no pay.
As I understand it your partner doesnt have to isolate if you have no symptoms does he? And if you do have symptoms shouldn't he be at home regardless of whether you gave a fake number.

I don't see how the fake number affects him, is it something to do with local restrictions?

Potterpotterpotter · 01/10/2020 22:28

@ilovesooty I don’t care about the ‘greater good’ or my social responsibility.
I will look out for myself and my family.

winetime89 · 01/10/2020 22:30

@ineedaholidaynow

So why do you go out *@winetime89*? Do you not think you are being selfish? How would you feel if the hospitality industry has to close because of people giving false numbers?
Sometimes I have no choice but to go places. I avoid places due to track and trace but I have two young kids who need to go out places. I've only had to do it twice so far. no I don't think I'm being selfish.
ineedaholidaynow · 01/10/2020 22:30

So what happens if people don't give a shit about your family and one of you gets really sick @Potterpotterpotter. In a pandemic everyone needs to have social responsibility