Phone scam

Margaret Pilkington · 31-07-2017, 13:23

You may have read about a phone scam in the local paper recently.
My Ma received a phone call which greatly worried her.
It was an automated message which purported to be From HMRC.
At NO point did they address my mother by her name or even mention her name, but she was told on this recorded message that a court case was being instituted against her and that if she did not respond quickly to this phone call, she would incur very serious consequences.
Then a phone number was given for a HMRC officer who was named.
The phone number she was asked to contact was
02033895932
Other numbers are in use with this scam too
Please alert your friends and relatives...especially those who are older or vulnerable....THIS IS A SCAM.
The phone number above IS a live number....and rings when dialled.

Fortunately for me...my old Ma doesn't do anything like ringing strange numbers without getting in touch with me. I told her not to worry about it as it is a con trick aimed at extracting money from the unwary and the vulnerable.
Just thought I would give you all a heads up on this.

Neil · 31-07-2017, 13:42

It's time BT and the other phone companies were forced to deal with these matters more quickly. There needs to be a simple way to report suspected scam calls, maybe dialling a short number after the call or something. Then if 10 reports are made BT have to monitor calls made from the reported number so they can check if it is a scam/unsolicited etc and take action by informing the police, blocking the number etc. I know the free speech lot will moan about a system where BT can record and monitor reported numbers but something needs to be done to stop it.

Margaret Pilkington · 31-07-2017, 13:54

My mum has an old phone...you cannot block numbers on it(yes you can buy a device to add to the phone...but i think she might find that confusing).
I have just ordered her a new large button phone that will allow her to block these nuisance calls.
I was there this morning and in the space of an hour she had had 4 calls about window scrappage, kitchen scrappage and one that sais she had been involved in an accident and was entitled to claim.
When I am there I pick up the phone for her.....she is harassed by these many unwanted phone calls.
She has said she doesn't want this new phone, but I have told her she is having it....she didn't want a stair lift, but now doesn't know what she did without it!

Restless · 31-07-2017, 14:09

I had a scam call. It was a recording of a text to speak

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

AccyMad · 31-07-2017, 16:35

I had a number of calls last week from that number, 7 in one day alone! I just press ignore if I don't recognise a no.but it's still damned annoying

hilleluk · 31-07-2017, 16:57

Virgin have a service where they will block numbers from unavailable numbers. external numbers, we only pay a small price per month but it seems to work

Less · 31-07-2017, 17:15

Your Mother should be allowed to live without these calls, they are a disgusting way for people to try to make money.

I'm glad I stopped using my landline years ago, mobile seems to suffer far less of this, it is time these swine were stopped from leeching on the vulnerable.

Neil · 31-07-2017, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

......entitled to claim.
When I am there I pick up the phone for her.....she is harassed by these many unwanted phone calls.
She has said she doesn't want this new phone, but I have told her she is having it....she didn't want a stair lift, but now doesn't know what she did without it!

Have you thought about getting her number changed and making it ex-directory?

cashman · 31-07-2017, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Have you thought about getting her number changed and making it ex-directory?

We used to be ex-D neil but still got em, just a bit less.

Gremlin · 31-07-2017, 18:12

Ex directory won't always work.
These scammers just keep ringing random numbers regardless of who's names in the book.

Margaret Pilkington · 31-07-2017, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Have you thought about getting her number changed and making it ex-directory?

Yes, my daughter is ex directory...she still gets these calls despite being on TPS.
I think the newer phone will go some way to addressing these calls....and the numbers will be clearly visible(they aren't on her current phone) so if a number comes up that she doesn't recognise she can ignore it...let it go to answer machine then she can choose if she wants to block it.

monkey hanger · 01-08-2017, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

Your Mother should be allowed to live without these calls, they are a disgusting way for people to try to make money.

I'm glad I stopped using my landline years ago, mobile seems to suffer far less of this, it is time these swine were stopped from leeching on the vulnerable.

i,m the same as you less. even with a mobile i tend not to answer it if i don,t know the number that comes up. rarely get a message left from these calls. found that 1471 was a useful number to use.

Barrie Yates · 01-08-2017, 08:36

We average 4 or 5 a week. The majority of them are either "Number Withheld" or "Out of Area". If there is anyone on the other end I resort to basic Anglo-Saxon.

monkey hanger · 01-08-2017, 08:55

[QUOTE=Barrie Yates; "Number Withheld"

thats two words that actually mean don,t bother to answer.

Gremlin · 01-08-2017, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

We average 4 or 5 a week. The majority of them are either "Number Withheld" or "Out of Area". If there is anyone on the other end I resort to basic Anglo-Saxon.

I don't even bother to pick the phone up if I see "Number withheld", "Out of area" or "International".