Phone Scam
Posted: 20 Oct 2009, 22:50
I know previous posts warning of scams have been proved to be untrue or just a hoax but this warning came through from the ASBO Team at North Kesteven Council who received this report from Lincolnshire Police.
Regards
Nigel
Lincolnshire Police are quite concerned about this latest scam and have asked that we get this around to as many people as possible. Please feel free to copy/paste and send to whoever you wish.
A friend received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing them that he was disconnecting them 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 they told him they are with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
They asked the guy's name - the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152.
Obviously the fella realized they weren't believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. They asked how & he told them to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this.
AND HE DID !! Their phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned them again.
Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. They asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then.
They said that they didn't know how he'd done it, but they had absolutely no intention of paying him , they didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT.
He hung up.
They did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.
They phoned the police to let them know , they 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 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!
Regards
Nigel
Lincolnshire Police are quite concerned about this latest scam and have asked that we get this around to as many people as possible. Please feel free to copy/paste and send to whoever you wish.
A friend received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing them that he was disconnecting them 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 they told him they are with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
They asked the guy's name - the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152.
Obviously the fella realized they weren't believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. They asked how & he told them to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this.
AND HE DID !! Their phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned them again.
Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. They asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then.
They said that they didn't know how he'd done it, but they had absolutely no intention of paying him , they didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT.
He hung up.
They did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.
They phoned the police to let them know , they 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 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!