Maybe, in this case, because it was a representative from a Federal Agency; he couldn't give you any more information due to confidentiality laws. If he was being audited on taxes or owes back child support or is having an employee investigated for fraud or something like that, the agent cannot tell you what it is concerning. However, he should have had the courtesy to tell you something to that effect like, "I'm sorry I'm here on official government business and cannot divulge that information. I can only speak with boss #1 about this." Then you could have asked for the man's business card (good proof that he is who he says he is) and tell him you will make sure bossie gets the message that he stopped by and to call him.



If the visitor is representing a business, I try to get a business card from them. This serves as proof of who they are; I don't have to write a message (just hand bossie the card); if it's a salesman the cards sometimes state what products they are trying to sell and that will give bossie enough information that he can decide to call or not to call (if not inteested in that product). If you know it's a salesman ask for a free brochure/catalog so bossie can make an informed decision (and makes salesman think he will be a sale and he is more willing to go away happy).