Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
16 October 2010
07:5575173Ive had this info through from our longtime longterm colleague Ken Tranter who isnt able to post at the moment due to a close family bereavement, but was anxious that members be told about the following scam.
Our condolences go to Ken.
******
The new telephone 'scam' has arrived.
I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date.
The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
I asked the guy's name - the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 .
Obviously the fella realized I wasn't believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this.
AND HE DID!!
My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again.
Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then.
I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT.
He hung up.
Did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.
I phoned the police to let them know, I wasn't the first! It's only just started apparently but it is escalating.
Their advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please let as many friends & family aware of this.
This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800152 0800 800152 0800 800152 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable. Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out your account.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
16 October 2010
07:5875174Many thanks to Ken for the above. There are so many scams and attempted scams nowadays that one loses track completely as to what might be genuine and so on....
You seem to get more gullible as you get older or is that just me!!?
?
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
16 October 2010
08:1175177Paulb
Heres some more scams I'm aware of for people to look out for;
Although people may knock at your n Virgin type uniforms, with an Identity badge doesn't mean to say they are from that company, some have been knocking on doors pretending to be from Virgin when there not.
SOUND ADVICE IS;
you don't let anyone into your house that you do not know were calling, unless you clearly know there voice, if its an unknown person don't answer the door, If they continue to knock and you dont want to answer ring the police and tell them you have an unknown caller at your door and you would like them removed.
Unfortuntly because many elderly don't see people from one day to the next they invite people in, once in they are able to be distracted and robbed.
If you do answer the door and your expecting a call but it's an unknown person, phone the company they say they are representing and ask if they can confirm that the company has someone at your door, if they cant, don't let them in.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
16 October 2010
08:4375181Thanks to Ken and PaulB for that.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
16 October 2010
11:0575194fascinating scam pity people with these clever ideas do not channel their brains into something productive.
thanks again ken for alerting us to it, sincere condolences for your loss.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
16 October 2010
11:1875199Thanks Ken and PaulB, there seems to be a new scam every day, with the majority originating from Nigeria.
Why don't we turn the tables, ring Nigeria claiming to be Constance Mugwali, assistant goat herder or suchlike, saying that my uncle has past away etc etc
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
16 October 2010
11:1975200This one has been around for a long time and must be doing the rounds again.
Is quite easy as you hang up but they don't so the line is still connected/unavailable....
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
16 October 2010
11:2975202Here's a query for any techy types out there.
I can take incoming calls on my landline and broadband hub phone at the same time. If I get one of these scam calls on the landline could I call BT on the hub and ask them to disconnect the scam caller (or even trace and bar his number?) I'd love to see the look on their face if this was posssible and the BT operator broke in on them and said the call was being disconnected.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
16 October 2010
18:3475230Yes I believe you can connect a second phone to the hub as I think we have a second phone number that we never use
Been nice knowing you :)
18 October 2010
11:2375438The sad thing about theese scams is the elderly can be preasured in to handing over bank details , surely with technology the phone companys can filter theese evil people .
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
18 October 2010
11:2675440realise I slightly changed the posting
but those door knockers can do as much, if not more damage
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS