2 Messages
Made uncomfortable by an AT&T guy at Target asking too much info
I was at a target in Texas today and a AT&T guy (I'm assuming he's legit) asked me few questions, I've been meaning to switch from Spectrum so I said why not.
Long story short he started asking WAY too much info and I felt uncomfortable. When I asked for HIS ID he said was split in two and waiting for a new one.
He got my name, full address, phone # , DOB and I'm not sure if my DL #.. All of this to verify my ID and so AT&T would know it was me at the Target with him and so I could save a whooping $25 bucks.
I asked the target manager and said they don't really have much info on them, not even their names and all he knows is they come on weekends and he can't really do much for my info being deleted from that ipad.
I would like my information deleted but I suppose that won't happen.
If this is AT&T way of attracting customers by having staff at targets asking way too many questions for promos and scanning IDs and not giving them one, well..
Is this normal modus operandi? needing one's DL number for verification purposes? scanning one's DL? SSN?
Also: Why he needed my Full address? wouldn't the zip code be enough to see if At&T can be set up there?
I've learned my lesson and won't stop by text time but I'm wondering if I'm just being paranoid, I trust I am.
Accepted Solution
Juniper
ACE - Expert
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32.5K Messages
2 months ago
@JoeWild
I was at a target
Those would be a 3rd party sales company (such as Smart Circle) that sends orders to other companies. Not AT&T owned/operated.
When I asked for HIS ID he said was split in two and waiting for a new one.
Legitimate concern. If he doesn't have proper ID, and no supervisor (with ID) to vouch, then full STOP.
Is this normal modus operandi? needing one's DL number for verification purposes? scanning one's DL? SSN?
Credit check to either make offer or verify if existing offers apply to you. Plus if you may need to pay credit management fee (think like deposit) or clear up an old debt with AT&T before you can get service.
Also: Why he needed my Full address? wouldn't the zip code be enough to see if At&T can be set up there?
No because AT&T doesn't provide service to everyone in a zip code and there may be different levels of service depending where you are at. They haven't run lines to every building in existence. A zip code doesn't confirm what (if anything) your home has available. Same with any other internet provider.
I've learned my lesson and won't stop by text time but I'm wondering if I'm just being paranoid, I trust I am.
Though perhaps a little bit, being that those 3rd party sales don't have a good track record of ethical and informed offers it is best to be cautious. I would only do business with AT&T if in a owned/corporate store (hard to tell apart from 3rd party ones since the latter doesn't list that very well), on the website, or with direct AT&T support. Those 3rd party locations, including door-to-door people, I avoid.
I asked the target manager and said they don't really have much info on them, not even their names and all he knows is they come on weekends and he can't really do much for my info being deleted from that ipad.
Target manager will have no control over that ipad. That is another company that leases space (kiosk) out of another store. However, they only come on weekends? I am used to such entities being there all week, so that is a little odd. And though the manager may not have oversight on their business practices, I would think they should at least know what company it is as they wouldn't just let random people that didn't have an agreement with Target to solicit their customers.
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my thoughts
Former Employee
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22.5K Messages
2 months ago
First individuals in big box stores, door to door and authorized retail store front are not ATT employees but work for a 3rd party who makes commission on sales and pays that individual who may be treated as an employee by the vendor OR be considered a 1099 contractor such as people driving for Uber, Door Dash, etc. where they pay all their own expenses.
The ATT product is not free and ATT requires a CREDIT CHECK to determine eligibility, those with poor or no credit generally have to pay a non refundable $100 credit management fee. Thus many of the questions asked are for 2 factor authentication to prevent identity theft.
The address question is to determine if service is available at your actual address, and type of service before offer could be made. This is similar to check for service online using website, your required to enter your address.
https://www.att.com/internet/availability/
Providing just a zip says ATT may or may not provide some type of service(s) to the zip code but not what your addresses could receive. An example of this is below… enter a zip code, does not have to be yours.
https://broadbandnow.com/
(edited)
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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24.9K Messages
2 months ago
@JoeWild As mentioned, kiosks in Target, Costco, Sam's Club, etc are independently owned and operated, totally separate from AT&T and are not staffed with AT&T employees. They just make the sale, however they can, which, in a lot of cases is done by misleading the customer or not disclosing all of the details of a promo or deal. Once that is done, they just send the info to AT&T who has no clue as to what was said and/or promised to the customer. And, AT&T will only honor what is listed, in detail, on their website regardless of what you were told by the retailer.
The questions are not out of the ordinary but I would not do business with a retail kiosk or an Authorized AT&T Retail Store. Too many potential issues. You're best off the find an AT&T Corporate Store or online at AT&T.
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JoeWild
2 Messages
2 months ago
Thank you all for replying, it really was the ID thing that threw me off. Is not like virtually a lot of randoms could get anyone's name and address at any given's time.
I appreciate everyone taking the time for replying. It does puts me at ease reading a thing or two from your comments and I agree that I'm better off going to an official store or buying online.
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