Data Protection Requires You To Act

(I work at the general customer service area where you would never be required to use a social to search for your account.)

Caller: “Hi. I’m [Caller] and my social is [number].”

(For the first time in fifteen years of customer service, I lose my professional front, cut them off mid-number, and chew them out on the dangers of giving away their social security number without a good reason. I then ask them what they need help with. They need to change their phone number. Done. Have a great day.)

Manager: *coming on the line* “I should write you up, but you probably did more help than harm.”

(Later, I got the survey for that call. It was four paragraphs thanking the agent for teaching them about giving out personal information!)