Gold FFM Popular Post johnpwalsh Posted December 14, 2015 Gold FFM Popular Post Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Received a phone call from BT, informing me that he was disconnecting 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 disconnect 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 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 many. 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, to be used for larger purchases. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comem47 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 (edited) Sounds like it's time for an upgrade !!! Edited December 14, 2015 by comem47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LF1 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 BT were talking about changing the way the call gets terminated (e.g. either party hanging up) to prevent this scam. Quote Lotus Register - https://www.lotusregister.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilf Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 If the calling party does not hang up but you do, it keeps the line open so you cannot dial out. Only gets freed when they hang up, which they do but immediately dial back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 It actually used to keep the line open for between 2 and 3 minutes and then clears down. BT have apparently changed this to 10 seconds with further reduction possible. This was implemented in April last year. Sounds like some providers haven't yet caught up! Openreach info Quote Dave - 2000 Sport 350 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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