Dell = Big Brother?

[KrillBee]

So awhile back I received a computer from a friend I used to work with that had a dead motherboard, its a Dell Inspiron notebook a couple years old that belonged to his wife. He knew that the cost to replace the board was more than the computer was worth so he just gave the computer to me.

So a few months later now, I decide I'm finally going to get around to replacing the board. Out of curiosity I call Dell to say how much they charge for a replacement part.

They take down all my information as usual, address, phone number, email addy, etc.

Then before giving me the quote though they ask me "so what is your relation to Lori Peterson?" Lori Peterson is the wife of the coworker I used to work with, and I explained that to the customer service person. But it completely caught me off guard and I probably sounded nervous and jumbled while answering the question.

Anyway though, kinda creepy huh?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

They probably pulled it from one of the numbers that identify that laptop on the bottom of it - service tag or whatever they call it.

 

[BigJ]

No, not really. They have the information of the person who originally purchased the computer, and I'm assuming you gave them a service tag # attached to the computer.

Service tag # + database = pulling information.

 

[l6873]

Not really.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Every Dell computer has a service code. They know who bought it. You can go to the website right now and enter the service code and it will list everything the computer came with and whether it's still under warranty or not. I imagine if it's ever been serviced you can probably see that too.

Edit- yeah what they said

 

[KrillBee]

I suppose if someone registered their laptop or received support from Dell and gave them their info, then that info would be attached to the service tag. However, it makes me wonder though if I go to the store to buy a laptop with my credit card, if Toshiba or whoever has record of that. Or maybe I'd have to register the laptop? I dont know.

I was also just a little suprised that they asked me what my relation was to Lori. Why would it matter?

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I suppose if someone registered their laptop or received support from Dell and gave them their info, then that info would be attached to the service tag. However, it makes me wonder though if I go to the store to buy a laptop with my credit card, if Toshiba or whoever has record of that. Or maybe I'd have to register the laptop? I dont know.

I was also just a little suprised that they asked me what my relation was to Lori. Why would it matter?

I didn't really read the thread, but it might be a security thing in case the computer was stolen.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I suppose if someone registered their laptop or received support from Dell and gave them their info, then that info would be attached to the service tag. However, it makes me wonder though if I go to the store to buy a laptop with my credit card, if Toshiba or whoever has record of that. Or maybe I'd have to register the laptop? I dont know.

I was also just a little suprised that they asked me what my relation was to Lori. Why would it matter?

I didn't really read the thread, but it might be a security thing in case the computer was stolen.

yeah, probably, but even so i dont understand how him asking me that question would prove anything.

if he asked what my relation to lori was, I suppose if I had been a criminal I could have said "a victim of my theft" but nobody would be dumb enough to say that.

I mean what are they going to do, call the other person to verify the information?

 

[antillean]

He was probably just curious...

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
if he asked what my relation to lori was, I suppose if I had been a criminal I could have said "a victim of my theft" but nobody would be dumb enough to say that.

I mean what are they going to do, call the other person to verify the information?

Given all the Fark stupid criminal new items, petty crooks really are often that dumb.

Recent Fark criminables have been caught:
- calling a taxi to pick them up at the bank they've robbed
- writing their holdup note on the back of their deposit slip or ATM receipt
- trying to steal booze from a store while the clerk was checking their ID

 

[getbush]

There was one on one of the stupid criminal shows where this guy was robbing a convenience store of cash plus cigarettes or alcohol, and the clerk said he had to be 18 or 21 whichever for the stuff he was stealing and the guy actually showed his ID for it. It was all on video. Talk about a dumbass.

 

[UncleWai]

Lori Peterson probably just put your name as referral. Or may be the CS is telepathic and knows you have a thing for Lori Peterson.

 

[episodic]

Don't feed the beast !

- Dale Drivel

 

[QTPie]

By default, Dell's service tag is tied with all info of the person who orders the PC or laptop (configurations, date order, price, name and address, etc).

 

[13Gigatons]

I saw a cops episode where they bring a crook back and he blurts out "YEAH that's the woman I robbed". The cops burst out laughing.

 

[Braznor]

I used to work in Dell. That question was something stupid and one we techs used to avoid (even though we were required by the company to ask for) asking most customers when I worked there.

It seems they have begun to ask for it again.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: Braznor
I used to work in Dell. That question was something stupid and one we techs used to avoid (even though we were required by the company to ask for) asking most customers when I worked there.

It seems they have begun to ask for it again.

what was the point of asking the question?