Please pass on to your friends & family.

[tezzer]

even though someone on has already seen or heard about this scam, it's still worth sending on.


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 - he gave me the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 .

Obviously the fellow realized I didn't believe 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.

Dialed 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognized.

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 as possible know of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please make as many friends & family aware of this.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A colleague replied with the following

Real con job, don't get caught

This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 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.
By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past merchant services - it is all about getting the credit card details which include the security number so that it can be used for far larger purchases.

Cheers

Ian A Younger CFE, MABI, MICM
Certified Fraud Examiner
Specialist in Fraud and Commercial Investigation
Member of the Fraud Advisory Panel

(Ian Younger has given his permission to use his name)

[clivvy]

Originally Posted by tezzer

even though someone on has already seen or heard about this scam, it's still worth sending on.


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 - he gave me the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 .

Obviously the fellow realized I didn't believe 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.

Dialed 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognized.

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 as possible know of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please make as many friends & family aware of this.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A colleague replied with the following

Real con job, don't get caught

This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 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.
By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past merchant services - it is all about getting the credit card details which include the security number so that it can be used for far larger purchases.

Cheers

Ian A Younger CFE, MABI, MICM
Certified Fraud Examiner
Specialist in Fraud and Commercial Investigation
Member of the Fraud Advisory Panel

(Ian Younger has given his permission to use his name)

yeah its clever stuff. we can do the same withour phone system at work-stop people dialling out and listen in, in fact, sometimes it just happens to customers and they get stuck on the line for hours!

good evening madam!

[Deleted account DD]

The very simple advice to beat this and every other scam they come up with is dont give any personal details out to anyone unless you KNOW who they are whatever the topic they're haranguing you on. Generally cold callers dont need the info at all.

Never ever be pressurised into giving info to anyone whether your phones going to get cut off or what. It may be hard not to panic

If anyone phones up as opposed to you contacting them and comes up with the old "just answer me a question" routine. Tell em no. Tell them to tell you info and you will confirm their id. Some will some wont.

If you reckon theyre legit but youre not 100% ask for their name, a listed switchboard number and the extension theyre on. Everywhere has them its just if theyre willing to hand them out or not. Then when you ring back the switchboard operator on the number they gave you and youve checked with some form of directory enquiry will say "hello xxxxx can I help you" Ask for the person by name, dont give the operator the extension youve obtained but do ask the operator for the ext number and if theres a direct dial "for next time" If they wont and it was an unsolicited call tough titties. They'll soon send a recorded letter if its that urgent.

Also remember there's a lot of info on all of us out in the public domain anyway around the place ranging from misdirected mail through to facebook and various databases so don't be surprised if someone seems to know a bit about you, they might do but its the details they re short of like the 3 digit verification on the back of that credit card.

I have to be honest cold callers and at least one potential con man I reckon I have spoken with recently (allegedly from "virgin media" )very rarely ring me back

Speaking of the virgin media man, my 19 yr old son son was moving into his new flat and followed the advice above and blew the guy out of the water


If you want a taster of how to find stuff out have a look here http://www.pipl.com/