On 16 Feb 2009 at 2:34pm THEINTREPIDFOX wrote:
We had someone (claiming to be) from LDC regarding Council Tax around today. I checked the ID card (front & back) and there was no staff or phone number allowing me to verify the identity. Needless to say I didn't disclose any personal information and he throtted off - somewhat irritated and dissapointed. A five year old could have made that card. Whilst I don't doubt that it was a genuine council employee (as of card design) the point really is that I expect a minimum level of professionality from LDC when doing home visits. To many, especially vulnerable, people get conned nowadays and I will keep sending LDC staff away until they learn their lesson. PS: Staff at the LDC department concerned were not aware of anyone conducting visits and are looking into it. Left-hand-Right-hand syndrome.
On 16 Feb 2009 at 2:47pm THEINTREPIDFOX wrote:
I may add that he 'trotted' and not 'throttled himself' but must admit that I find the thought of possessing the skill of pushing them over the edge intriguing and will add it to my wishllist of superpowers.
On 16 Feb 2009 at 3:00pm Lewes Laugher wrote:
I've worked for a few places over the years where I've had to carry identity. I must say that none of my IDs ever had a contact number on. It's not something I ever thought of and, obviously, no-one else has. I doubt, for example, if you'll find the ID a police officer carries has a phone number on it. Interesting point, though.
On 16 Feb 2009 at 3:38pm THEINTREPIDFOX wrote:
EDF lives up to the standard for years and has clear ID card guidelines:
www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/press-news/edf-energy-networks-joins-the-fight-to-stamp-out-bogus-callers.shtml
I quite often call the number on the card when it's an unexpected visit (whilst I make the person wait outside with the door secured) but better practice is to do a quick search for the organisation on the web and then use the contact number on the website as the number on the ID card can be fraudulent too. A genuine visitor will wait and understand.
You may have noticed a reference to the 'National Doorstep Cold Calling Protocol' issued by the Trading Standards Institute in the above link. Information about the scheme has been removed from the tsi.gov.uk website so I called to check what happened to it. My enquiry about the protocol together with a description of the LDC employee has been forwarded to local trading standards as a matter of urgency and I let you know when I know more. May take five days though.
On 16 Feb 2009 at 6:02pm Lewes Laugher wrote:
Fax - I'll be interested to hear. I've worked for both local and central government with IDs. What you say about using the website to check is a good idea.
On 16 Feb 2009 at 11:13pm Cliffebimbo wrote:
I work for LDC, and there is a telephone number on the ID card. It is interesting that you said that they "claimed" to be from LDC, implying that the person was some sort of con artist, but in the next breath you accuse the council of being unprofessional due to the lack of details on the card and "left hand right hand syndrome" in that no-one in the department councerned knew anything about a visit. So how do you know for sure that it was a council employee?
On 16 Feb 2009 at 11:22pm Sleuth wrote:
Oh come on - most LDC staff are sh*t for brains!
On 17 Feb 2009 at 12:20am THEINTREPIDFOX wrote:
CB, when I rang the LDC department in question I was told that it perhaps was an old ID card but also wasn't told what ID cards should look like. The person seemed to be more interested in my council tax particulars than be concerned with the ID issue. I was told that they will look into it and come back without taking my phone number. Doh! Anyway, I just know what council people look like, in addition the visitor sounded like the recording of Brighton & Hove CC's automated phone line which I found rather amusing. The perfect con? Thank you for pointing out the phone numbers.
On 17 Feb 2009 at 12:16pm Cliffebimbo wrote:
Ha ha, know what you mean about what Council people look like, but if you think we are weird you should take a look at County staff, we are comparably normal looking!!! Re ID, the cards now have less information on than before, but still have a name and number. Did you take a name? Not sure I know of anyone here who sounds like an automated machine.
On 18 Feb 2009 at 2:29pm THEINTREPIDFOX wrote:
It was something like 'Willis' or similar. Under department it said 'Finance Department' in blue ink. If you hear anyone around the office saying 'press * to hear these options again' it's definitely him! Grab and don't let go!