Just a warning: Three phone calls this morning... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Just a warning

CT-5012 profile image
19 Replies

Three phone calls this morning, recorded message saying BT will cut off our internet unless we press 1or 2 has to be a scam.. BT isn’t our provider for a start. Some people just don’t have the Christmas spirit do they? 🤬🤬

Update on that call number four just arrived.

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CT-5012 profile image
CT-5012
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19 Replies
Primarose profile image
Primarose

They are a pain, this is instead of an actual person. If you press 1 or 2 you will be taken to a mega bucks phone line and your telephone bill will be sky high.

karools16 profile image
karools16 in reply toPrimarose

Did you tell BT?

Primarose profile image
Primarose in reply tokarools16

No, I just caught the first line of the voice mail and hung up. I didn't realise that they would be interested.

Problem is that they use different telephone numbers.

karools16 profile image
karools16 in reply toPrimarose

Yes, but they could still be made aware there's a scam using their company's name.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

You have spoken to the police?

Marijo1951 profile image
Marijo1951

I had a spate of calls recently telling me that HMRC had issued a warrant for my arrest because of unpaid tax. I was told to press 1 to speak to an adviser. It's hard to believe that anybody would take these things seriously, but I suppose from the perpetrators' point of view, even if only 1 in 10,000 fall into the trap, it's worth it.

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT in reply toMarijo1951

Dear Marijo1951,

I've just 'Found', your Post...Sorry! I had one, last year, 'Reporting my DEATH, in America'...All I had, to 'Do', was give THEM 'All My Details' and Everything would be Well.....! Needless, to say, I didn't.

Yes I have had the Police, Internet, Long Lost relative, Car Accident Owed Money Scams, tried on Me. Discussing, the 'Accident' scam, with a Friend, when you get the...."'I'm calling About your accident.....You interrupt with "My God, how did YOU know? It's ALL Running Down my Leg and this is a New Carpet too!" We both thought, that this, is a good answer. Funnily enough I have NEVER had the TAX scam...I'm felling 'Left Out' now! (Mind you, there is still Time)

I have mentioned before that I have an 'End Active Call' Function, on my Cheap, Basic, Mobile Phone. This means that 'They' can't HOLD a line Open- the Scam here is they Persuade you to Phone, Your 'Bank'....When it's still Them, by Holding the Line Open. I don't know about other Phones, my experience is Very small. I like, my Phone, it Does Phone Calls, Texts (without Predictive), can set Alarms, has a Calculator and has a good, self tuning Radio. There is one game, that I don't Play (Snakes, I think).

I'm trying, to think, of Something 'Funny but Relevant' to end on....Sorry but it's, getting late, I'm tired. I took a Neighbour, into Town, today 'in leu' of his Birthday on Friday- I'm entertaining that day. So I'll just say

Stay Safe Marijo, Warmest Wishes

AndrewT

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

I had this s few weeks ago. BT is my provider so I rang them.

Advice from them put phone down and then block number either on your phone if you have facility or ring 1572 (I think - will confirm later as not at home at moment to check) and then you have option for BT to block.

Trouble is it’s a random number that they change daily and the calls are generated by computer - so even if you block one number you are likely to get called from another.

CT-5012 profile image
CT-5012 in reply toDorsetLady

Had five calls today every one from a different number. Going out for a while they can talk to the answer phone! 😂

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toCT-5012

If I don’t recognise number on my phone I usually leave it to go to answerphone- they usually ring off then so I know it’s a rubbish call. Although reading Grants reply they do sometimes leave a message - must be getting desperate!

No is 1572 if you need it.

Maisie1958 profile image
Maisie1958

Just had two similar automated calls in the last 90minutes. In a way I’m glad it’s not just me they are annoying.

Grants148 profile image
Grants148

I keep getting these calls,they even left a message on my answer phone !

panda22 profile image
panda22

Inform your local fraud squad. The police need to know about these calls

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45

If in the UK you can report the incidents to Action Fraud which is a national fraud service provided by the City of London police. If I receive any such attempts online or by text I always pass on the details to the appropriate company.

CT-5012 profile image
CT-5012

Thanks for the information,will do.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

Thank you for putting this up.

These scams are happening all the time on the phone and on the net and it is usually about stealing your identity or bank details.

People like us are often particularly at risk of making the mistake of taking the call and not realising that it is a hoax before it's too late , either because of pain , drowsy meds head or anxiety to do with our pain making us act before we can think.

My tip to all young and old.

If you get one check what phone number is on your phone number recognition screen and write it down .

Do not answer any questions but write down which company they are pretending to be from and put the phone down.

If it is not automated but a real person , ask their name and the name of the company and tell them you would prefer to ring back customer service from the number on your account letter or bank card . If it is a real call they will be happy and say no problem. Do not ring back a number they give you.

Then if it is the bank or about a bill like phone or electric ring back , if it's real great , if it is a hoax tell them the number you wrote down they will be happy because then they can block the number being used to hoax others.

If it is non urgent phone or bill call go on their contact us page on the website and report it there telling them the date , time and the phone number again. They will respond quickly to tell you it is not real and thank you for their help , or let you know why they called and arrange a call back.

Finally , never answer any unrequited emails from banks or big companies about fraud on that page it may also be a scam , take a screen shot of the letter and again put it on a letter on the company's website contact page.

And , never answer any requests for money for desparate people on the internet , on social network or by post. And if you get a letter asking for lots of details from a company you use in the post still check it is not a hoax by checking using the phone line on their website.

I know anyone reading this may be thinking why is she going on its teaching your Grandma to suck eggs but their might just be one vulnerable or at risk person that reads CTs post and doesn't realise what they are allowed to do , so that why I wrote it.

Keep safe all , remember Christmas is the season of good cheer to all men EXCEPT HOAXERS and an unexplained credit card bill or overdraft is not what you want to find in your stocking on Christmas morning. Bee x

CT-5012 profile image
CT-5012 in reply toBlearyeyed

I like the people who phone to tell me my computer is sending out distress messages, I play the innocent for as long as possible then invite them to talk to my son who is doing his doctorate in computer science silence then a click . They don’t even say goodbye.

My husband pretends to be very deaf constantly asking them to repeat what they have said and deliberately miss understanding until they just give up. It’s quite funny to listen to him.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply toCT-5012

Yes I know it's all fluff or a sales call when they call me by my husbands old surname , he only uses that for work and took my name when we married .

I have found a great new one and call anyone through to hear me do it , I just shout,

' NNNOOOOOOoooooo!!!!!!!!!!' down the phone , suprisingly they hang up without saying anything else too!!

CT-5012 profile image
CT-5012 in reply toBlearyeyed

Like that will have to try it. 😂

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