BT Scam

[kallis3]

Hi Everyone,

Just a warning about a new BT scam which is going round.

'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 - 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. This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800152 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 to 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.'

This is genuine, and has been on BBC news today.

Just be wary if receiving a call from BT.

[debtmountain]

Thanks Jan for bringing this to our attention...We're not with BT, we're with TalkTalk although like you, we think BT get paid a percentage for line rental!!...It's awful though isn't it and like you say, some of the more elderly and vulnerable might get taken in with this scam..I will let all my friends and family know about this as well..

As well as the "RSPCA" call, I've been pestered the last few days with someone asking for this woman who I've never heard of and when I've told them this, it's obvious that they don't believe me...When they rang yesterday asking for her for the third time, I said to the man that it was the third time they had called and he said he wouldn't bother us again..But if they do ring again, I will ask "who's calling" first to see who exactly they are?, I'm becoming very suspicious with these companies in my old age[:D]

[kallis3]

Be interesting to see who that company is DM.

[banjoplayer]

Thanks for the information, I am with BT and maybe would have been convinced to make a payment. great informative post thank you.

Regards BP

[Wizzzard]

BT wouldn't DARE call me ... they owe me too much!! So if I get a call asking for money I'll know its a scam [:D][:D]

[kallis3]

Hopefully you won't get a call Ladyh.