Anyone else been called by Ken for the CC survey?

[scotth_uk]

I got a call at 6:45pm this evening from a girl in a call centre asking if I would co-operate in the CC survey. No probs - I am a supporter (to a degree).

Essentially they were after:

How often do you use it
Why you use it (through, or in)
How long are you there
Is it affordable
Do you park in there and how much is it
How else can you make the journey
Will you change your behaviour if there is a rise
What colour are you and where are you from
How many people in our car when you go through
Does it improve your journey, and if so how
Household income
How many people in your house

To be honest, it wasn't too bad, although I was surprised by the income and colour questions.

I did point out that there was no question asking if I approved of the rise. The girl agreed with me. The only close question was something like "if the cc system managed properly and the money is invested in public transport, do you support it".....

Anyway....

 

[230K]

Hi

Excuse my ignorance but what is cc? Chrysler Crossfire?

230K

 

[scotth_uk]

Chav Chariot!

 

[230K]

Hi

Figured it out sorry Congestion Charges.

Most is not all the questions could be answered relating to a Chrysler C, just not familiar with cc over here in Belfast.

230K

230K

 

[grober]

NEVER NEVER NEVER give out information like that over the phone. Who telephoned you and for what reason. Sure they told you it was for a CC survey but how do you KNOW. These companies will say anything to get information about you which they SELL to interested parties. Best response is to say "How much are you prepared to pay me for this information" That usually shuts them up.

 

[scotth_uk]

I don't really have a problem giving out the information. I won't answer anything I am uncomfortable about.

 

[grober]

Dont want to sound paranoid but what has your colour or country of origin,household income or number of children got to do with the congestion charge. These particular facts were maybe what they were really after. The rest of the congestion charge questions just a smoke screen. Dont be surprised if you begin to get automated phone calls extolling the virtues of holidays in Florida or the like in the near future. Its a very subtle technique. First you get the "mark" answering seemingly innocent questions. Then you slip in the question/s you really want to know. Most people are psycologicaly in "answer mode" by this time and predisposed to answer questions they might otherwise hesitate over. A good interviewer will even supplement the income question with other seemingly innocent remarks like "oh your partner works as well" etc and then proceeds to finds out both your salaries. Most people like to be helpful which is an admirable quality. I just dont like the unprincipled taking advantage of this.

 

[scotth_uk]

I am well aware of the techniques that they use to extract information. I have a friend who runs a company that specialises in extracting information from people to build maps of the insides of companies for recruitment purposes. ;-)

I am more than happy to give them the information. I didn't give away any identity information, just colour, children and income. I faked the employment postcode too.

 

[IanA2]

There's always TPS....it works too.....get any unsolicited (post registration) calls, tell them you are TPS reg & they fly away & don't come back!!!!!

 

[PJH]

Dont want to sound paranoid but what has your colour or country of origin,household income or number of children got to do with the congestion charge. ...
Dont be surprised if you begin to get automated phone calls extolling the virtues of holidays in Florida or the like in the near future. Its a very subtle technique...

Income, number of children, congestion, ---> phone calls from Estate Agents trying to make you buy a bigger house !