New Phone Scam

[Sparky]

I have received the following, by email, and it sounds like a genuine warning:


PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY.

The new telephone 'scam' has arrived.

I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was dis-connecting 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.

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 dis-connect 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 t hem 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.

[BFG]

Genius scam!

Of course if someone calls you and does not hang up themselves it will make your line as dead as a dodo with no tone or signal. Try it with a friend! Does not work the same calling from a mobile as mobile networks seem to have a kind of sensor that shuts down an inactive line.

Thanks for the warning!!

[bigjimsilverfox]

Thanks for the tip off Sparky

[Chris]

It is your ceredit card details they want please see below copied from BBC NEWS...

New phone scam warning is issued
Householders are being urged to be vigilant following a scam in which victims have been conned out of their bank details over the telephone.

The most recent incident involved a woman from the Norwich area who received a call from a man claiming to be from a telephone company.

The victim was told on Thursday that she had an outstanding bill to pay or her phone would be cut off.

The victim gave her bank card details and then several withdrawals were made.

'Stop the call'

Norfolk Police has received a number of reports relating to similar incidents and are urging people never to give out their bank details over the phone.

Norfolk Police spokeswoman Suzanne Crannage said: "Members of the public should never give their bank details to anyone over the telephone.

"A professional company would never operate in such a manner. If you are unsure, stop the call and contact your bill provider directly yourself."

Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of such a scam should contact Norfolk Police.

[vinny]

Just ask them to quote your account number.