A vague-sounding girl answers the phone, and I explain my situation, explicitly stating that I'd like a reminder of my client reference number. She says fine, but she'll need to go through a few security questions with me first. She asks me my client reference - oh, sorry, my postcode. What's my full name. What's my post- oh, sorry, the first line of my address. What's my date of birth. And finally, what's my national insurance number (?!).
Security questions cleared, she continues, "and what can I do to help you today?" I sense trouble.
For the third time, I remind her, "I'd like a reminder of my client reference number, please."
She replied, verbatim: "I'm sorry sir, we're not allowed to give out client reference numbers over the phone."
Please excuse me while I go bang my head on the wall a few times before I rake around for a letter.