For the Attention of All !!!!

[4x4 bobby]

PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY.

A call was recieved from a so called '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.

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 and he said credit card, there and 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 dialed 1471 - number withheld

I phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognized., so 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.

How is it done?

This is good but not that clever. He gave
the wrong number - it should have been 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.


This was recieved by e-mail to me, thought that the more people that read it the better.
Regards Bobster.

[Sir-Doris]

Thanks for alerting everyone Bobby.

We have been pestered with nuisance calls recently as well. Not from a claimed BT employee but from people asking to turn our PC's on because 'WE' are infecting their servers etc etc.

[4x4 bobby]

If it saves one person being duped its worth posting!

[Big Dav]

Thanks Bob - will beletting the family know first thing in the morning.

[actung]

yeah same here thx 4 the heads up

[Norse]

you gotta admit thats actually quite ingenious though

[fudge]

well i hurd about this scam a few years ago, and then nothing from it. thus assuming it had faided away

but like usial the scams never die

[N1ova]

Nice posting.Thanks for the heads up

[James Bass]

Great posting Bobster. I've put this up on several other forums and also my Facebook. Should get the message out.

[alsavs]

The person that phoned you did not hang up his phone after you put yours down that's how he stopped you from making a call.

Doo just read through the first post again

[adyclemo]

Yes sadly people do fall for these scams and I've known people to come into work and admit to handing over £100s if pounds. I've advised them to contact their banks asap.