Ah, security through sincerity, gotta love it!
06 March 2008 in Business by Stilgherrian | No comments

A telephone conversation last night — once the caller had garbled my name and I’d said that it was me, and I’d asked who was calling:
Caller: I’m calling from [unintelligible] on behalf of Westpac Bank.
Me: Before we go any further, how do I know you’re calling on behalf of my bank?
Caller: Sorry? We’ve been given the database…
Me: Before I discuss any kind of personal or financial information, how do I know you’re legitimately calling on behalf of Westpac bank, as opposed to just some person claiming that?
Caller: [sounding confused] Well, I don’t know…
Me: Well, I guess I’ll be hanging up then. Goodbye.
Another point, of course, is why they thought I might want to discuss anything financial at 7.20pm after a long day — when most people are either unwinding or trying to have dinner.
Dear Westpac, if you have something to discuss, isn’t that my Business Banking Manager’s job? During business hours? I was really happy with the service you’ve given me so far this week — and now you’ve ruined it.
[Update 22 December 2011: I failed to credit the originator of security through sincerity, Eric TF Bat.]
Possibly related posts
Tags: eric tf bat, infosec, social engineering, westpac
Reply Cancel reply
Categories
50 to 50 Artemis Medical Fund Arts Blogging Business Conversations Defence Ecology Engineering Enmore Film Found Art Getting Things Done Hallucinating Goldfish History Human Nature Humour Internet Language Marketing Media Melbourne Music Only One Name Personal Photography Politics Privacy Project TOTO Religion Space Stilgherrian Live Sydney Thailand The 9pm Edict The Core Transparency Weekly Poll Weekly Wrap

ABC The Drum
Crikey
CSO Online
Delicious
Dopplr
Flickr
LinkedIn
newmatilda.com
Patch Monday
Posterous
Qik
Stilgherrian Live (Ustream)
Technology Spectator
Twitter
Viddler
No comments
Comments feed for this article
Trackback link: http://stilgherrian.com/business/security_through_sincerity/trackback/