Zugara Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 The new telephone 'scam' has arrived in Medway. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 This is a very old scam - basically when you hung up, he didnt and because he was the originator of the call the line stayed active - so when you picked the phone up again the line appears dead etc. He then hangs up and calls you back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkie34 Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 This was in the paper the other day warning people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted July 17, 2010 Author Share Posted July 17, 2010 This was in the paper the other day warning people. Just had it emailed today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookiee22 Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 There's a Windows one going around as well. Some bloke from an Indian (I think) call centre rang my Mum up and told her he was from Windows and that she had to perform a security upgrade on her laptop. I then took the call and the bloke became really agitated, to the point of aggressive, when I started questioning the validity of what he was doing. Makes you wonder how many people actually fall for this stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky370z Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 There's a Windows one going around as well. Some bloke from an Indian (I think) call centre rang my Mum up and told her he was from Windows and that she had to perform a security upgrade on her laptop. I then took the call and the bloke became really agitated, to the point of aggressive, when I started questioning the validity of what he was doing. Makes you wonder how many people actually fall for this stuff. loads of people i bet!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 yes agreed alot of people do, but just like spam mail, all it takes to make the scam work is one person. and it pays off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.