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Bt Scam


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Old 04-02-2011, 09:50
hw007
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 26

Hi
One to watch out for!


This was received from a neighbourhood watch circulation, so please be aware of this scam.



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.

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.
I dialled 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.
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Old 04-02-2011, 13:09
Jepson
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,089
Not the best thread title.

It makes it appear that BT are the ones performing the scam.

(I think they have plenty of their own - but their's are legal - just!)
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Old 04-02-2011, 16:16
John146
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 8,253
Hi
One to watch out for!


This was received from a neighbourhood watch circulation, so please be aware of this scam.



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.

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.
I dialled 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.
Anyone can stop service on your telephone, by merely ringing your number then not hanging up when the call is finished, all he (the caller) needed to do was cover the mouthpiece on his phone so that you could not hear anything when you picked up, then he would hang up and re-dial your number...
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Old 04-02-2011, 16:29
g-bhxu
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Posts: 1,937
Thought you were going to talk about one of the following

1) Extra £4.50 if you don't pay by direct debit

2) Last October they adjusted the line rental charges for that month even though you'd already prepaid them

3) In January made adjustments for the increase in VAT even though you'd already paid for the line rental.

4) Have the gaul to charge you £7.50 late payment fee if you pay later than the date on your bill even though it takes them at least 5 days from the day that the bill is printed out for them to get it to you.
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