jenuk99 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 (edited) Hi all got this as an email, thought you may be interested in it. Jenx 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 adv ice 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. Edited September 19, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 The email itself is just a chain letter, although below describes how it could be carried out in practice. http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/btscam.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Hi all got this as an email, thought you may be interested in this.Jenx 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. that bit is easy to do all he did was when you hung up he didn't 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 adv ice 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...
Egluntyne Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Thanks for the tip off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Thanks, I will contact my MIL as whilst we all may be sceptical, older folk could easily be taken in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 There is a news item about this on BBC thankfully so more people will get to hear about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
