7 Questions to Ask When You Receive a Sales Call

We’ve all had it happen.  You’re just sitting down to dinner when the phone rings.  You’ve been waiting for a close friend to call, so you quickly answer without bothering to check the Caller ID.  Rather than the voice of your close pal on the other end, you hear the voice of a salesman with a once in a lifetime offer if you’ll sign up or service today.

How did this company get your contact information?  You politely decline and hang up, but you’re frustrated.

Did you know that you have rights when it comes to these types of phone calls?  Before you start avoiding taking phone calls or pretending they must have the wrong number, let’s look at what you can do to exercise your rights, the next time you receive a call you weren’t expecting.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), provides you with numerous rights when it comes to the access and use of your personal information.  You have the right to ask any company with access to your personal information questions regarding how they received this data and their planned uses for it.

Here are just a few of the questions you have.

QUESTION #1:  How did you receive my information and how do you plan to use it?

You have the right to know where the company gained access to your information and how it will be used.  Did you sign up for a mailing list?  Fill out a survey?  Was the information gained indirectly through another company?  The caller has to be able to provide you answer to these questions.

QUESTION #2:  What type of personal information do you have about me?

You have the right to know where the company gained access to your information and how it has been used thus far and how it will be used in the future.

QUESTION #3:  The information that you have is no longer current and I would like to make changes.  What is the process for making that happen?

If the data that the company has is incorrect or out of date, you have the right to making changes so that the correct information is properly reflected.

QUESTION #4:  I would prefer that you no longer maintain my information in your database.  How can we ensure that all of my personal information is removed from your system?

Only companies that have your explicit permission have the authorization to keep your information on their servers.  If you no longer wish for them to maintain this information, it must be deleted.

QUESTION #5:  I no longer wish to receive phone calls from your company.  Can you please add me to your do not call list?

Why should you have to dodge phone calls?  You have a right ton only be called by those with your express permission.

QUESTION #6:  I am starting service with a new company.  Can you please ensure that all of my personal information is transferred to their system?

Your data is portable.  You have the right to instruct your old provider to transfer all your personal data to the new vendor or service provider.

QUESTION #7: Do you use my personal information to create a profile about me within your company?

You have a right to know whether your information is used for profiling, including for marketing purposes.  You can request the details of the information in your profile and review it for accuracy.

You can also object to the use of your information in creating a profile.  The company is required to provide you with details on how you can file an objection regarding the use of your data.

Receiving a sales call in the middle of dinner no longer has to be a scary or annoying proposition when you know your rights.

And if the company you are working for is not able to provide those kind of information, you’d better ask them to click the link below and schedule an appointment.