A Simple Rule That Can Save You More Than You Think
As a business owner, some of your information is inevitably public.
Your name. Your role. Sometimes even your company details.
That’s enough for someone to sound convincing.
And every now and again, I get calls that remind me just how easily this can be exploited.
Recently, I received a call from a Romanian number: +40… but failed to speak Romanian. I know a few words and that was the first test that they failed.
The person on the other end introduced themselves:
“Hi, my name is [something], calling from Survey Monster. We’ve been commissioned… it will only take two minutes.”
Then came the familiar pattern:
– “Is your name [X]?” – “Are you the CEO?” – “Do you…?”
On the surface, it sounds harmless. Professional, even.
But this is exactly how data gets extracted—one small confirmation at a time.
What most people don’t realise
These calls are not about surveys.
They’re about verification and enrichment of your data profile.
Each “yes” you give:
- Confirms accuracy
- Adds missing details
- Strengthens your digital footprint for future targeting
And the more senior your role, the more valuable that data becomes.
Two simple rules I use (learned the hard way)
Having lived in the UK—where unsolicited callers don’t have an easy time—I picked up a couple of habits that work every time.
1) Ask questions they are not prepared for
Calmly and clearly ask:
- “What is the full name of your company?”
- “What is your full name?”
- “What is your registered company address?”
Then pause.
Most of the time, the call ends right there.
Because while they expect compliance…
They’re not prepared for accountability.
2) Assert your rights (clearly and directly)
If they persist, say:
“Please remove me from your call list and delete all data associated with me.”
Under GDPR Article 17 — the right to erasure, you are legally entitled to this.
No debate. No negotiation.
Just a clear boundary.
The real takeaway
This isn’t about paranoia.
It’s about awareness and control.
In a world where attention is currency, your data is leverage.
And the moment you start treating it that way…
You naturally become more selective about who gets access.
A simple question to leave you with
Next time someone calls and asks for “just two minutes”…
Are they offering value?
Or extracting it?
If you’ve ever had one of these calls, I’d be curious—how did you handle it?
Audrius
