zeuss

iTrader: (2)

Subject: Fw: PLEASE READ :- Telephone Scam Alert
>
>
> 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,
> alle ged ly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
>
> The guy gave the name John Peacock, he spoke with an 'African' accent - & gave his number as 0800 0800 152.
>
> 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 enga ged 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 initates 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 people.
>
>

ChrisB

snopes.com: BT Cut-Off Scam

zeuss

iTrader: (2)

just had the email sent to me just thought was scary that people are being scammed so easy wanted to warn others

what would scooby do

OMFG


*runs round the room in a circle waving hands in the air*

zeuss

iTrader: (2)

SJ_Skyline

In the context of your original note, this infers that people with 'African' accents may not be trustworthy on the phone.

Don't put this down on your application form under the diversity section.

HtH

zeuss

iTrader: (2)

hahaha cheers the above text was not written by me I was merely passing info along

Coffin Dodger

Fools and their money are easily parted

Wish I could think of a top notch scam, make a few £mill from it and retire to somewhere warm and sunny

Jaybird-UK

THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!

Borat_Drives_A_Scooby

This guy rang me as well, i told him in no unbcertain terms that he was trying to con me because someone genuine from BT gave me a call earlier that day called George Abdgwengo and i paid him direct by credit card so i knew i didn`t owe anything.

Some people eh, DON`T FALL FOR THIS SCAM.

PaulC72

I had them call me too, but luckily for me they were not that smart, I ened up with his credit card details and took his money off him without a problem, I didn't know there were any African Irish around but now I am not so sure.






*no offence to any race creed or person meant in the above ;-)

stilover

The guy phoned me too.

I asked how he got my number, as I don't actually own a phone. I don't. I was very shocked when my plastic cup with string attached started ringing.

Virgins will be giving birth next !!

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

i had two south africans come into my shop today from some company saying they wanted to test the line by calling an 0800 number , i politely f*cked them off at which point they got quite up in my face saying it wa my loss and the line would be cancelled or something ??

so beware of people likethis as bt have never heard of this company

scooby-yan

GOOD INFO THANKS

james04

whats the betting the pikeys are behind this.

LUCKO

iTrader: (3)

Jaybird-UK

Re-live the phone call here : George Agdgdgwngo

Neoscooby

I've seen this posted on a number of forums. What I want to know is that now most people have a digital exchange as soon as you put the phone down it severs the connection on your phone line, so how could the other bloke be connected. Its not like the old analogue exchanges where both parties had to disconnect to free the line

Also theres' a simple way to avoid this, just put on a tinfoil hat, hide in a cupboard, and don't answer the phone....ever.