[access-uk] Fwd: pass this on to anyone you know.
- From: william lomas <will.d.lomas@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 06:47:51 +0100
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Ian McNamara <ianandriggs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: pass this on to anyone you know.
> Date: 10 May 2012 02:47:04 GMT+01:00
> To: Julie Vaughan <julievaughan2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Lewis Crack
> <lewiscrack@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, william lomas <will.d.lomas@xxxxxxxxx>, Wayne
> Chapman <w.chapman968@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, James AUSTIN
> <james.austin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY.
>
> 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 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
>
>
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