Another Phone Scam – Beware!!!
We have to thank Carole for sharing this with us.
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 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 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 initates 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.