Singapore-based firm Great Eastern Life Assurance is investigating an alleged attempt by one of its insurance advisors to collect personal data for marketing while pretending to ask for donations after the company came in for criticism on Facebook.
Effendi confronted the agent and asked for his agent number, which was issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. However, the agent allegedly refused and, instead, returned the donation and left, insisting that he had the same right to protect his identity as Effendi.
A spokesperson for the company said that its “distribution representative” was acting as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme by collecting donations for a registered charity benefiting children and the elderly. She said that there was “no intention to mislead” the public.
The representative added that Great Eastern has “strict guidelines on personal data collection and usage” and it will take stern action if any employees have violated any rules. The company has apologized to Effendi and vowed that it will continue investigating the incident.
Related stories:
Hong Kong insurance scam sees senior agents profiting off their juniors
