Maybe they're trying to be personable?... You can always make something up. Some people even make up names when they sign up for various stuff to detect junk mail.
For example, I signed up for free magazine subscriptions which I donate to the hospital's volunteer office. The zines have my real last name (on mailbox) and fake first name with the same initials. I knew they would sell my name to junk mailers. This way I can toss out useless stuff quickly.
"The bliss of the unparanoid." -quote from a tv show