Nosey utility companies

I've just had an estimated electricity bill come through that was a little out; so, I thought I'd ring them and give the true meter readings.

After going through some pathetic voice recognition system asking me for my reasons for ringing, they decided that my voice wasn't clear enough and that I would be redirected to a real person. Said person comes on the line, and has my details in front of them! Now recognising that I was paying for the call I wasn't best pleased, but was absolutely incensed by one of the first things she said. "Do you own the property, or do you rent it?"

To say I went into orbit was an understatement. I explained in no uncertain terms that I used her useless employer to supply me with electricity and that anything else was none of their business. "Oh well, we have to ask!" was her answer.

Anyone else getting this type of data gathering happening to them?

Not a utility company, but I've had someone who claimed to be working for a credit card company I use phone me out of the blue and ask me to supply her with personal details. When I declined she sounded incredulous even though I had absolutely no way of knowing whether she was genuine or not?

I can't tell you just how annoyed I was. If rented or private properties had different tariffs I could understand it. I might even be charitable and understand if I had ever defaulted on a bill. - I haven't, and note that the bill only arrived Thursday, and I was having it adjusted to correct a low reading.

I had a company contact me earlier this week. I had (allegedly) entered a competition and they wanted to check a few details!

When I point blank refused (like you, I had no idea just who they were) they said that my entry had now been cancelled. I was heart broken.

I remember years ago I guy I worked with warned me that this type of thing would happen as personal data became more and more valuable. I have now decided on a deliberate policy of misinformation. - I will never tell the same story twice.

Does anyone remember the 'old days' when we had meter readers come round and there was no such thing as 'estimated' bills. If I have an estimated bill and want to ring through with the correct reading, I find it's quicker to press the 'moving house' option - usually get straight through to someone. My estimated bills this time were so accurate - only a couple of units out either way - I didn't bother to change it- and just paid the balance. I'm with EDF and haven't had any problems - yet.

I've never neard of utility companies asking if you rent or own your property - it has to be so that they can then sell the information on, for whatever reason