Centrelink

[Peter R]

I appreciate that Centrelink has to follow up on all reports of alleged fraud of the taxpayers money, and I applaud them when they catch someone and recover that money, however, I am a bit concerned at the way that they investigate.

Someone felt the need to make an annonymous, frivilous and vexactious call to Centrelenk trying to cause me some trouble...The fact that it was such an obvious statement that it identified the caller will give me a great deal of joy when I next see that person.

The call consisted of "Mr R this is Miranda from centrelink we have recieved a complaint that you are.........."

I said "Hang on, who are you, and how do I know you are who you say you are?"

"Well, you will just have to believe me".

No way, not this little black duck! I said I will ring Centrelink and confirm who you are so you can call back tomorrow.

This was not good enough for our intrepid investigator she wanted a name and a phone number of one of my friends so she could ask them if I was......

Again I said no ring back tomorrow, and was propmtly told, with the obvious meaningful undertones, that If I did not comply with her request it could effect my pension. I asked Miranda if she was threatening me and finally she said that she would ring back tomorrow.

Now the point of all this is: How many people could be intimidated by a caller, with similar convincing voice, and give any personal detail that is asked for.

Having helped many pensioner and older person with government departments, I can say there would be a large number of people that would be s..t scared once their pension was threatened and would answer any question put to them.....I do not think that I have to explain the ramifications of this methiod of investigating complaints.

I will be putting this matter to our local federal member with recommendations that Centrelink investigate in person or ask the person concerned to attend an interview at the local branch.

This is a matter of urgency in this day and age when all types of shysters are out there to rip off the unsuspecting and in firm at the drop of hat.

what do you folk reckon?

Peter R

[nik]

I think you done the right thing Peter. I wouldn't trust anybody who call's me wanting to discuss my personal information, as you said you don't know who they are. With all this identity theft and nonsense it's suprising that centrelink doesn't do this thing face to face. What they should do is call you up or send you a letter saying that you are under investigation and that you should arrange to speak to a centrelink representative as soon as possible.

Good luck with it Peter, and I hope centrelink wake up to themselves.

Nik.

[beejay1]

Absolutely spot on Peter. Welcome to the wonderful world of telecalling.
I wouldnt be too offended by it by that i mean dont let it trouble you. Telephone manner like that is down to very poor training and in cases like that I always tell the caller to transfer me to a supervisor and ask for his or her name and extension number.
If they refuse I simply hang up and phone back for someone in authority to complain to. I always follow that up with a written complaint.If people dont complain about crap service, it never changes.
Stick yo your guns mate and dont be intimidated.
Also, make sure the Swiss account is untraceable

regards,,beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

[Gingermick]

They have to deal with people trying to rip them off all the time and maybe they just have learnt to take that tone to any dissent.
Calling you was really rude. There was surely nothing so serious that a letter wouldn't suffice. The person should be reprimanded.
mick
(Having dealt with CL a fair bit in my short life I do hate them but am developing compassion for what they must go though)
((hopefully now that I have a good job and mortgage I wont need to deal with them again for a long time))

[cookyboy]

go hard old son. if anyone from Clink is giving you grief ask for an appointment with Clink SOCIAL WORKER ! the social worker service is not promoted in any way[no pamphlet,sign etc.] they opperate independantly. they can show you your file and explain it to you! they saved my life [and several publc servants] once.
DON'T BE PUT OFF!!
regards c.

[Cliff Rogers]

....I will be putting this matter to our local federal member with recommendations that Centrelink investigate in person or ask the person concerned to attend an interview at the local branch......

G'day.

Address it to
The Hon Joe Hockey MP
Minister for Human Services
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2000.

But don't expect an answer 'cos he's too F'n busy with other stuff ups.

My local memeber has written to him 5 times now about some bullsheyet that I was told on a rude phone call from the complaints officer at the Child Support Agency in Brisbane.
I asked the Complaints officer to "put it in writing, state the legislation that covered it & sign it with your name one it" they wouldn't do it 'cos they knew they were bullsheyetting me.

PS. If anyone from any Gov. Dept. rings you, tell them to 'put it in writing.'

[Sturdee]

I will be putting this matter to our local federal member with recommendations that Centrelink investigate in person or ask the person concerned to attend an interview at the local branch.

Congratulations Peter on handling it the only correct way and on your first sensible post.


It has happened to me a few years ago and in my case it was all in writing. They asked me details of my income, which was already declared to them every fortnight, and contacted my employer for verification. As I do the bookkeeping there it was left for me to fill in and complete the questionaire, sign and then return it to Centrelink.

FWIW whenever I deal with a government department I always do it in writing or in a personal interview and then I confirm the salient points, as I see them, in writing.


Peter.

[ozwinner]

Peter R, all you have to do is keep repeating, pancakes, pancakes, pancakes, gaurenteed to put them off.


Anywho, what you did was right, I never give out details over the phone, it could be anyone just after info about you.

Al :mad:

[Peter R]

Congratulations Peter on handling it the only correct way and on your first sensible post.


Peter.

Yeah! mate, it was a difficult decision to be sensible, not like me at all. But I reckon the occasion warrants the moment or whatever:confused:

Hey! I rang the dobber tonight and said "Did you hear about Peter R....he did such and such" and she said "Yes I know".

The idiot did not even recognise my voice, and the best part is I will see her tomorrow. Oh! what fun I can have? Sometimes I can forgive but not often.

Just in case you are wondering, I am guilty of nothing. The complaint was a complete fabrication taken from what someone thought was said.

Peter R

[smidsy]

I used to have similiar arguments with the Commonwealth bank.
They would call me wanting me to give out confidential information to ID myself (even though they had called me) yet expected me to take their word that they were who they said there were.
Cheers
Paul

[barnsey]

I've had one of those incidents - vexatious b@#$% - and I'm sure the MissingLink sent me a letter to phone a particular person. That was about 5 years ago.

Since then I guess some shiny panted bureaucrat has devised ways to save money - like hiring social workers and psychologists who will prostutute themselves to tell legitimate souls that they would be better off in the long run to return to work rather than be on a pension. And they pay them peanuts for the privilege.

Good approach Peter R

MissingLink couldn't organise a p@#$-up in a brewery :eek:

OK I'm off the soapbox again

[echnidna]

Right on Pete - but document everything!!!
If really stuck start your own diary and record everything said ans done

[Sturdee]

If really stuck start your own diary and record everything

Yes, Centrelink loves people filling in diaries.


Peter.

[Peter R]

Ok folks the letter is in the 'Mirror" department of the Local Federal MP, but listen to this...CAN YOU HEAR ME UP THE BACK....good.

I phoned the person concerned and she did not recognise my voice, as I said before.

Today I confornted her, in front of several other people, saying that I had a good talk on the phone last night to M. here,and she said "Me" Instantly going a crimson and even stuttering a bit. "I didn't talk to you". "Oh yes you did" I told her.

For those standing around, very interested, I related the conversation, which M denied but it was a very weak denial and the others saw through her denials.

But get this: I said "You can deny all you want, they(Centrelink) gave me your name". M. Immediatley puts the big foot in the big mouth by saying "How could they? It was annonymous"

Loved it, Oh Dear! life can have some wonderful joys at times.

For the rest of the day the pranksters kept saying here comes the annonymous Ms M

Peter R

[ozwinner]

Peter you are funny after all, I think a greenie is in order.


Al

The machine said "No", so I cant give you one.