This number called my place of work. Stating they were customer service and asked if they called the "correct" number and read back my work number to me. Never once asked for me by name or anyone for that matter. Saying that they were responding to an "ad" that I had "signed up" for online recently.
When I asked them for what company they did customer service for and what service or access I had "signed up" for the question was deflected by talking about the great opportunity in gift cards for testing and trying some unknown company's product. Red flags were already up but since it called my work phone I listened in longer. I was then transferred to another department to where I was told to answer "yes" if the prior person had handled the call "properly". Seemed like poor business practice to have one person handle a call only to get transferred to someone else who did almost the same thing with attempting to promote their great offer.
Then this second person put me on a "automated call system" to answer a short questionaire. This "system" asked for my account information! That was the final step and I quickly hung up the phone!
1) They never could answer me what company they were "customer service" reps for
2) They never clarified what "ad" or service I had recently "signed up" online with
3) Basic questions of who is being called were never asked such as asking for my name or the name that was given during "sign up". If it was a cold call then asking with whom they are speaking with etc. Just "validating" the number they called doesn't count for a whole lot in my book!
4) Why the bouncing around to another "department" only to get put on an automated system? Not too mention the "redundancy" in their opportunity they were offering...why repeat yourself so many times? Marketing approach maybe or the fact that they were speaking so fast they probably had to repeat just so THEY knew what was said!
5) The automated system asked for account information...what account?? A person (typically) has numerous accounts not just one!
This is just my opinion and I don't have the time (nor do I want to waste it) on investigating this further to validate. But my opnion is this...scam/phishing (or vishing in this case as it was voice over the phone) attempt. Any company that asks for any form of account information will and should always be more than happy to be forthcoming with providing valid credentials for who they work for/represent. If, and I mean IF, this was an actual legitimate business call then an extreme rework is required for their process/procedures! Closing thoughts, if your going to perform a scam call attempt, don't call a person who is a Security Analyst by profession! :-)
This number belongs to a company called Global Knowledge. I took a Cisco Boot Camp training course through them in November of 2013 and my rep was just calling to see if I was thinking about any more training coming up in the Spring. He also forwarded me a copy of the new training schedule via email. They are based in Cary, NC. They are legitimate and I DO plan on taking more courses through them in the future as I had a great experience with them the first time.
it's GK, harmless, they call you if you already have attended (IT) training with them. It's not telemarketing, you're called if you have an account with them. Harmless.