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Important Message from
Andy Orpin
- Police Community Support Officer
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 - 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 and he said credit card, there and
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 dialed 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.
Andy Orpin
Police Community Support Officer |
