Does Amazon call utility companies?

[Alright174]

Hi,

I know this has been discussed before here in this forum, but if I remember correctly for the US market. I want to know if anyone of you has experience with Amazon EU on that matter.

Does Amazon call utility bill companies to verify "you" is "you"? In my opinion it is a very easy method to determine if a person really has an account at the particular company.

In Europe the person at the other end of the line just accepts it is you when you tell him/her certain details like full name, account number, invoice number and so on.

I remember one guy here in the forum actually put his own phone number on the invoice running a test and he said Amazon actually called through.

Just wanted to know if any of guys had new insights on this for the European market.

[SaiJin]

if they want to call, they would and they do call most of the time.

they could call obviously but I don't think they have the amount of people to call every one of them

[Alright174]

Originally Posted by SaiJin

if they want to call, they would and they do call most of the time.

Thank you for your insight!

[Alright174]

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

Amazon do not call utility companies in the EU, nor the US I suspect. The telephone number post was fabricated, the chances of them calling him were tiny in the extreme.

As for Amazon pretending to be the customer calling to get account details because they have your info well, that is even more ridiculous. Too many stupid conspiracy theories peddled on this forum, many by those who are looking to sell something.

As to "those who are looking to sell something", are you referring to me? If you have an allegation towards me, feel free to speak your mind!

[prodigyace]

I used to work for a utility company. Unless its someone authorized, or knew the customers details for security questions, we aren't allowed to provide them with information.

Don't fret about them calling, you should be good

[Alright174]

Originally Posted by prodigyace

I used to work for a utility company. Unless its someone authorized, or knew the customers details for security questions, we aren't allowed to provide them with information.

Don't fret about them calling, you should be good

Thanks for your insight. This should be true in the US, in Europe it is not. With basic info like account number, invoice number you can get into any utility account. There is no security question system in place.

Anyhow, since this seems to be a sensitive topic on this forum, thanks everybody and moving on.

[Riverdale]

Originally Posted by prodigyace

I used to work for a utility company. Unless its someone authorized, or knew the customers details for security questions, we aren't allowed to provide them with information.

Don't fret about them calling, you should be good

I don't think that this is his point.Most utility companies in the usa allow you to handle a ton of issues through the automated phone system without actually speaking to a real person.You can pay your bills through the automated system,and also trouble shoot technical issues through the automated system without actually having to connect to a person. This part is not recordered by the company. The requirement is 2 options ,your using the phone number which is connected to the account so that it instantly recognizes your information, or itll ask you to enter in information such as the account number which would be displayed on the utility bill in which you've just gave to amazon.Its process of elimination. Most people who use this forum are sending amazon edited documents, meaning false information. Amazon calls the utility number which would also be displayed on the bill you sent them to use the automated system ,they get asked to type in the account number through the phone keypad.If you sent them in a edited bill with false info like most people on this forum are doing, the account number is not going to go through the automated phone system.The automated system will tell you the account doesn't exsist.This process takes less then a minute,so I don't know why the members of this forum think it would be too much.If you were to send in a utility bill using the same account number from a suspended account it would link you.

[Alright174]

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

Absolute rubbish. Recent law changes have meant that account security has been increased further from an already high standard.

Amazon are not trying to dupe automated systems to illegally gain access or basic data from sellers service providers.. it’s all just hearsay with not one verified or even believable case documented.

Why is your general tone so hostile? Maybe you should think about that when people here are talking about the EU, they are not necessarily talking about the UK, soon not be EU anyway. In most of the countries of the EU there is no security question system, no password system for accessing things like that over the phone.

It is as easy as, Hi this is Mr. XYZ, I have a question concerning my invoice with number 123456. Hold on a minute, Mr. XYZ. That is odd, I cant find any invoice with that number in our system. DONE

Lets not discuss this further tinsoldier. Thanks!

[Alright174]

And one more thing tinsoldier: Even if it is not true, people could still talk about it, discuss it, speculate about it. That is what a forum like this is there for, at least from my viewpoint. If you want to suppress discussion, maybe an open forum is not the right place.

I have offered valuable insight more than once on more than enough topics. If you want to treat someone like a little stupid school boy, find yourself someone else.

[dachilla]

To legitimate your address wit AMZ EU you can also submit a credit card statement or a bank statement, instead of a utility bill. I want to see how amazon ringss up the bank or credit card company and asks them about some of the details on the statement. lol. I doubt very much they will get any information, and AMZ knows it. Thus they won't call. For the same reason I doubt they would call up to the Utility comp.

[agent006140]

if they ask for it,they will verify it.

[Riverdale]

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

Absolute rubbish. Recent law changes have meant that account security has been increased further from an already high standard.

Amazon are not trying to dupe automated systems to illegally gain access or basic data from sellers service providers.. it’s all just hearsay with not one verified or even believable case documented.

This guy swears he gods gift to stealth.You have literally no credentials to creating amazon accounts,you cant even create accounts right now.Why do you patrol this forum like your a expert?You cant create accounts so that puts in in the same boat as everyone,a expert at nothing.Humble yourself!All information is good information,if you don't believe it then great for you,nobody even knows who you are.Maybe its good information for somebody else narcissist.

[Riverdale]

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

it’s all just hearsay with not one verified or even believable case documented.

So everybody in the world reports to you after creating a amazon account?
You are the judge and jury of all information regarding amazon?
Get over yourself!People like you have way too much free time.

[Riverdale]

Originally Posted by Beautiful

they could call obviously but I don't think they have the amount of people to call every one of them

I don't think most people even get past the ID and bank statement stage.
Most people send in trash utility documents or non matching info,so right off the back amazon will decline those without needing to go the extra mile.I think at the most 10 percent of all daily sign ups will get far enough up the ladder for them to even consider calling the utility.Which I agree not all of the reps do that,Ive gotten quite a few accounts passed through the utility stage using false info this 4th Quarter ,but I do believe a few of the reps are cheating if your account even gets that far.

[prodigyace]

Originally Posted by Riverdale

I don't think that this is his point.Most utility companies in the usa allow you to handle a ton of issues through the automated phone system without actually speaking to a real person.You can pay your bills through the automated system,and also trouble shoot technical issues through the automated system without actually having to connect to a person. This part is not recordered by the company. The requirement is 2 options ,your using the phone number which is connected to the account so that it instantly recognizes your information, or itll ask you to enter in information such as the account number which would be displayed on the utility bill in which you've just gave to amazon.Its process of elimination. Most people who use this forum are sending amazon edited documents, meaning false information. Amazon calls the utility number which would also be displayed on the bill you sent them to use the automated system ,they get asked to type in the account number through the phone keypad.If you sent them in a edited bill with false info like most people on this forum are doing, the account number is not going to go through the automated phone system.The automated system will tell you the account doesn't exsist.This process takes less then a minute,so I don't know why the members of this forum think it would be too much.If you were to send in a utility bill using the same account number from a suspended account it would link you.

That's where creativity comes into play. Account numbers change when you change the account holders name for the address, move, closed and reopened the account (for different reasons this can happen), etc.

This method of suspension (if Amazon uses it) is faulty and can be worked around if you use the gift of gab (if you know this is the reason you get suspended).

For example, you could say that I temporarily took over the bill to have it in my name to show that I had a bill in my name, but had to switch it back to my spouse so she can apply for our childs school care, or get a job, etc.

Originally Posted by Alright174

Why is your general tone so hostile? Maybe you should think about that when people here are talking about the EU, they are not necessarily talking about the UK, soon not be EU anyway. In most of the countries of the EU there is no security question system, no password system for accessing things like that over the phone.

It is as easy as, Hi this is Mr. XYZ, I have a question concerning my invoice with number 123456. Hold on a minute, Mr. XYZ. That is odd, I cant find any invoice with that number in our system. DONE

Lets not discuss this further tinsoldier. Thanks!

You made it clear in the UK things are different, but in the USA if anyone asks for any details of the account (including the account number) from the rep, we have to tell them we cannot reveal ANY account information without fully verifying the account. Some people kick up a fuss, or try to guilt trip you into doing it, or just saying "it's basic information, it shouldn't be a problem". I've darn near heard it all lol.

You're better off getting USA accounts and expanding into the UK if you're dealing with that sort of crap over there. I assumed your security laws would be better than the USA, that's unfortunate!

[Riverdale]

How many accounts have you opened 4th quarter expert?None correct!
Makes you a expert at nothing.Maybe a expert douche bag at most.
Is a doctor who has a high patient death rate truly a expert?
Nobody made you the batman of aspkin forums,you are the hero that we don't need nor want.

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

Because I am an expert. Here to help those who wish to learn, here to protect them from the mountains of crap posted here.

My reasons are my reasons, those wishing to learn will never be led astray by my offerings.

If your wholly anonymous feelings are hurt then I apologise my little cupcake. Happy now?

[Riverdale]

That's where creativity comes into play. Account numbers change when you change the account holders name for the address, move, closed and reopened the account (for different reasons this can happen), etc.


"Dude Im born and raised in the us.Utility bills don't work that simple.Most gas,water and cable services require a public records verification.Most companys will take your Social security number which must also match with your name,some even go as far as asking you a series of public records questions.You cant just change the name on the utility account willy nilly,they will require other personal information to verify you.So inless you know a ton a family and friends willing to cough up their SSN and allowing you to possibly screw their credit up just so you can create a amazon ,that options not going to work for most people."

This method of suspension (if Amazon uses it) is faulty and can be worked around if you use the gift of gab (if you know this is the reason you get suspended).



"Its not a method of suspension ,its a method of verification. Amazon requires accounts to send in a utility bill at the registration process. This is to reduce people like us from creating a abundance of accounts.So lets say for some reason you want 10 Amazon Stealth accounts,its just a example.You have 10 people you know with social security's to give you?"



You made it clear in the UK things are different, but in the USA if anyone asks for any details of the account (including the account number) from the rep, we have to tell them we cannot reveal ANY account information without fully verifying the account. Some people kick up a fuss, or try to guilt trip you into doing it, or just saying "it's basic information, it shouldn't be a problem". I've darn near heard it all lol.You're better off getting USA accounts and expanding into the UK if you're dealing with that sort of crap over there. I assumed your security laws would be better than the USA, that's unfortunate![/quote]

"Dude you totally missed the whole point.Im from the usa.We are not saying amazon is calling utilitys as Amazon.We are saying amazon is calling impersonating the info on the utility bill which you sent them.They are not introducing themselves as amazon,nor are they even talking to a actual rep when they do.Amazon is very well aware of the process for creating stealth accounts, they know people edit documents with false info to pass the verification.Your whole theory about switching the utility account name to get a new number ,may work for 1 or 2 accounts.Most stealthers want way more then that.When you call a customer service for any utility company the first thing asked for is the account number and name,other wise how they hell are you as a customer service rep going to know what info to pull up in the first place.Then from there you ask security questions.If the account number is a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ then ,you cant pull up any info."

[Riverdale]

Once again ,how many accounts have you opened during 4th quarter?Your all over other posting saying its not possible.Doesnt that make your expertise obsolete.You have to actually be able to do something if your considered a expert in that field.

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

You are correct, they are. Recently strengthened further with pan-EU data protection laws. The poster has either failed to educate themselves or has a reason for deliberately posting misleading info. Who knows?

As we both know, the idea of Amazon pretending to be a customer to extract data is bordering on the comical but hey ho, some want us to believe it's happening.

[Riverdale]

Actually Ive created quite a few,4 this December out of 9 attempts. Unlike you Im not new to Amazon Stealth.And no im not here to attempt to sell a dam thing, so don't try that diverting tactic.
You know if you learned how to speak to people,theyd be willing to share more info with you.Your a wanna be ,self proclaimed expert.I know a lot of people who've managed to open a few accounts this winter and get passed the utility bill request,technically that makes them a lot more of a expert then you since you haven't gotten any.Why would anyone want to share info with someone trolls this forum like a snob.

[Riverdale]

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

My apologies to you.

Since joining this forum three weeks ago and your many posts trying to buy Amazon, ebay and paypal accounts (does anyone really need to buy ebay accounts! LOL) I thought you were unable to create them for yourself. Clearly you're a quick learner.

Anyway, like I said, I don't see what this has to do with the subject matter, lets try and keep it on topic shall we?

How about stop being a Douche to people and allow them to talk freely,and perhaps conversations wont get so off topic.You ever heard the saying 'if it don't apply ,let it fly".It means if you don't like something or necessarily agree with it,you keep it moving.You dont turn it into a opportunity to try to talk down to people.I can always tell the cowards from a mile away.Im from boston,we smell people like you out,this forum is the only place you feel powerful.Its a false persona buddy,step out the matrix every once and a while youre not Neo.

[prodigyace]

I can't speak for other utilities, but electric does a soft inquiry, and no check when you need to move. If the name changes then yeah they do an inquiry but its a soft inquiry. If there's no history they can find (or crappy credit score), then they require a deposit.

Long story short, there's no ding to your credit score, and its really no issue to remove and re-add your name, or change account holder.