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This scams happening again
A 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 ‘John Peacock’ - & phone number
- 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.
I 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 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.
A 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 ‘John Peacock’ - & phone number
- 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.
I 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 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.
