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GFK Market research

elkieluca
Grafter
Posts: 225
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎21-08-2010

GFK Market research

I was just phoned by a woman from the above who knew my complete name and that I was with Plusnet.
She said that I had been in contact with them (Plusnet) recently and wanted to know why.  I haven't been in contact at all and I told her that and she kept saying am I sure!
How did she get my name and phone number and know my ISP.  I have her phone number in case someone from Plusnet wants it.
Any ideas please.
14 REPLIES 14
Dan_the_Van
Aspiring Hero
Posts: 2,484
Thanks: 1,117
Fixes: 73
Registered: ‎25-06-2007

Re: GMK Market research

Hello,
It is annoying; how have you setup your communication preferences found under Account Details in the Member Centre? Mine's set to email only.
iDan.
elkieluca
Grafter
Posts: 225
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎21-08-2010

Re: GFK Market research

It wasn't someone from Plusnet I don't think.  But they have hold of names and numbers from here.
pwatson
Rising Star
Posts: 2,470
Thanks: 8
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎26-11-2012

Re: GFK Market research

Plusnet do use GFK - Go to http://www.plus.net/home-broadband/satisfaction/ and click on the 'independent survey' link in the first paragraph
elkieluca
Grafter
Posts: 225
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎21-08-2010

Re: GFK Market research

Well they must have given the market research company my full name and phone number, that can't be right can it?
pwatson
Rising Star
Posts: 2,470
Thanks: 8
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎26-11-2012

Re: GFK Market research

Hopefully someone from PN will confirm that the call was part of genuine research tomorrow but, if PN have commissioned GFK to conduct research on their behalf then I don't see what's wrong with passing on contact info as long as the customer has agreed to be contacted.
As iDan has done, my communications preferences are set to 'email only' so I wouldn't expect to be called by GFK...
Empirical
Grafter
Posts: 54
Registered: ‎05-04-2014

Re: GFK Market research

Quote from: maryf
that can't be right can it?

Yes it is http://ico.org.uk/for_the_public/personal_information/sharing_my_info
However the use must be compatible with the original purpose of the data having been collected (See Data Protection act: Second Principle). So a company contacting you on behalf of Plusnet to see how they are doing is compatible, using it to sell you DVDs for example would not be compatible.
You can ask Plusnet to stop sharing your information which any reasonable organisation would do for the sake of customer service.
elkieluca
Grafter
Posts: 225
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎21-08-2010

Re: GFK Market research

I will ask them not to share my information as I'm not happy with that.  Thank you all for your input.
Acassim
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 1,075
Registered: ‎11-06-2007

Re: GFK Market research

Hi maryf,
I can confirm that we are indeed under way with a customer satisfaction survey, this is being carried out with our appointed agent which is GFK as you rightly mention.
At the point of sign up (or at customer request) we have an opt in/opt out system which allows customers to select their level of involvement with regards to marketing material and contact. For those who chose to opt in, we may at times use some of the their data to pass onto our appointed agent to run things like the satisfaction survey. This is only ever for research purposes, of which the results are fed directly back into us.
None of this information is shared with any 3rd parties and we ensure the utmost security and DPA laws are upheld throughout the process.
If you wish to have the opt out option turned on then you can send me a direct message with your username and I'll change this option for you. Please be aware though, this will opt you out of all marketing activity which will include any emails we may send out with special offers or new products we launch.
elkieluca
Grafter
Posts: 225
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎21-08-2010

Re: GFK Market research

Thanks Adam.  I have now reset my communications from  Plusnet to email and post only.  So hopefully no more phone calls from GFK as quite honestly I get more than enough annoying marketing calls from other sources.
Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
Thanks: 787
Fixes: 63
Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: GFK Market research

For any other person who is interesting this is where you change them  https://portal.plus.net/my.html?action=modifyMailOptions
ITWorks
Superuser
Superuser
Posts: 2,107
Thanks: 756
Fixes: 9
Registered: ‎05-11-2008

Re: GFK Market research

I assume this customer satisfaction survey is a new thing that has been introduced recently for people signing up.
Adam , are you sure that's correct? why would opting out of receiving phone calls, opt you out  receiving "special offers"  via emails , post , or sms .?
In the PN member centre you can choose how you want or not want to be contacted
Regards
Mike

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

Acassim
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 1,075
Registered: ‎11-06-2007

Re: GFK Market research

Glad you have this set the way you want now!
Sorry this has caused you some distress, we appreciate that this type of contact may not be for everyone. Moving forward you should just see the reduced levels of marketing contact.
@ I.T.Works  - If you chose to opt out of all marketing then we wouldn't send anything at all, when it comes to selecting the relevant segments of the base for the particular marketing material, we would add in a suppression to remove these customer from the data set. The only contact you would receive would be billing emails and notifications of action taken on your account. As for the satisfaction survey, this has been running for at least the last 3 years.
ITWorks
Superuser
Superuser
Posts: 2,107
Thanks: 756
Fixes: 9
Registered: ‎05-11-2008

Re: GFK Market research

Adam i fully understand that, the point i was making that, was that you can opt out of the phone calls and still get the "special offers" via other email etc , if you so wish.
I wrongly took your post to mean, if you don't want to be contacted by phone , you cannot have the "special offers"  Grin
Regards
Mike

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

Acassim
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 1,075
Registered: ‎11-06-2007

Re: GFK Market research

Ah I see, apologies if that wasn't made clear. I meant that opting out of all marketing would also affect the additional contact we make regarding the launch of new products and offers.