Digging For Personal Details

(I work for a call center that sends utility companies to mark where their public underground lines are, so that people can dig and not hit gas lines. We have to get the information about the place where callers are digging, naturally, so that we can pass on that info.)

Me: “What is the address or street name where you’ll be digging?”

Caller: “Why do you need that?”

Me: “I’m sorry?”

Caller: “I said, why do you need my address?”

Me: “I need the address where you want the utility companies to mark their lines.”

Caller: “You don’t need to know that. You’re not the one marking the lines, are you?”

Me: “Um…”

Caller: “Are you?”

Me: “No, but I need it so I can give it to the utility companies so that they know where to go.”

Caller: “You don’t need my address, then. The utility people are the ones who need it, right?”

Me: *at a complete loss for words*

Caller: “Screw this. I’m not giving you my private information. I just need them to mark my lines.” *hangs up*

(I wonder how that worked out for him.)