ok, i don't want to sound too lax on security here, but companies make outbound calls all the time. if things don't add up to what you know to be the case (ie, amounts you owe) then yes, make a call to follow up, but it is part of normal debt collecting policy for companies to make outbound calls to speak to you about monies owed. it's not fair to those making calls if you refuse to speak with them every time. they are just doing their job. if something seems fishy, yes, follow it up. but putting a blanket no on dealing with people because they have called you will make life very difficult - especially if you don't call them back. they ring to help you and stop services being disconnected.

to the OP - if something about this doesnt add up to you, call back and speak to the credit management team - they can look into your account further. if nothing comes of it, you can also complain to the customer relations team - there are contact details on the telstra website.

i have worked outbound in a call centre - it's hard to help people if they won't help you. it's fine to say that you don't want to provide details at that time, but if you receive a call and won't disclose your details, please call the company back immediately so as not to end up missing an opportunity to have them assist you. with Telstra, if your mobile is disonnected, it's a $33 fee (minimum) to reconnect - with home phone it's $59 (i think) if they are disconnected.

LS - with home phone accounts, you get a different biller code with every bill you get (crazy huh?) - if you set up your bpay to remember your details and automatically pay, it pays against old bills. it SHOULD come off your balance but sometimes they can't see that information without going looking further into it. it's a PITA. have had it happen before - told i wasn't making payments as i pay automatically each week and have the details saved in my biller stuff on netbanking - i had to go and pull up the details of what biller code i was using (account number or something changes - i dunno - makes no sense to me!) for them to track the payment - for some reason that i still can't work out, my actual account number had changed and it was going to an old account - they gave me more current details and i paid on that for future payments