More on line and telephone scams

[CaroleF]

It seems to me that recently there have been more online and telephone scams, particularly the latter in my case. I haven't counted the number of times that I've received a call supposedly from Amazon thanking me for a purchase costing something over £300 and if this is not so to press 1. Same, every time, I answer the phone, there's silence for a few seconds and then a stilted female voice comes on. This morning it was one saying that my BT Broadband was going to be cancelled as its safety has been compromised. Well seeing as I don't have BT Broadband that would be difficult. Just after typing that last sentence another call, American voice, 'Thank you for calling Amazon..'

I think I'm going to have to renew my landline phone set up as it doesn't tell me the number that's calling and doesn't have the blocking facility.

I had a WhatsApp message this morning telling me about the 'Federal Government's Covid 19 Assistance Plan.' The words, 'Federal Government' made me think I'd moved to Germany, but I was surprised that it came through on WhatsApp. I did report it, assuming it's a scam. If offered a website link, needless to say I didn't go any further.

It just seems that the amount of such scams is increasing.

Carole

[david63]

It has been well reported that these types of spam phone calls, and emails, have increased significantly during lockdown.

As we have caller display I never answer the phone if the number is unknown (unless I am expecting a call) on the premise that if it is important they will leave a message.

[Bensham33]

I think I've had all those scams and more. I get the insurance one, you know you've just had an accident and it wasn't your fault. I ain't just had an accident 'cause I ain't got a car. I usually just hang up.

[Jan Rosser]

I have a call blocking facility on my phone (I’m with BT) and have had so many calls lately I now have over 100 numbers blocked. Unfortunately for some reason family mobile calls don’t show the caller’s name only landline numbers so in the last week I have blocked both my son and daughter-in-law It hasn’t gone down well!!! The scammers keep changing numbers - flippin nuisance

[towny44]

It has been well reported that these types of spam phone calls, and emails, have increased significantly during lockdown.

As we have caller display I never answer the phone if the number is unknown (unless I am expecting a call) on the premise that if it is important they will leave a message.

We have Sky Talk shield, where only my starred calls get straight through, this seems to put the scammers off as I rarely get one that stays on the line, or even gives their name.

[Manoverboard]

We have BT plus their phones with Caller Display and Blocking facilities but like David we do not answer if it doesn't show the name of the caller. After the ringing stops we check the dialing code to see if it is local or from an area where we have chums etc. If it looks ok I will return the call otherwise we wait and see. I have found that I get far fewer if I don't answer the phone to unknown callers.

The caller display facility is deffo the way to go using a phone that registers the names and numbers of everybody you care to talk to.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We have BT plus their phones with Caller Display and Blocking facilities but like David we do not answer if it doesn't show the name of the caller. After the ringing stops we check the dialing code to see if it is local or from an area where we have chums etc. If it looks ok I will return the call otherwise we wait and see. I have found that I get far fewer if I don't answer the phone to unknown callers.

The caller display facility is deffo the way to go using a phone that registers the names and numbers of everybody you care to talk to.

Yes mostly works for us too. Don't answer if we are suspicious knowing if they're legit they'll try again. The problem with blocking is the scammers have the technology to disguise their number and constantly change what it appears to be. So you block one and they use another. The phone companies have to find a way to detect and/or prevent that.

One thing that happens on my mobile, and I've no idea how exactly, is that sometimes an unknown number comes up but with a tag saying something like "reported as fraud". I can't remember the exact wording. I'm on O2

[Kendhni]

While we have a landline, it is only there for ornamental purposes.
I was getting that many that I blocked all numbers beginning with 07, 0161 and 03 on my mobile.
If it is something important or someone genuinely trying to get hold of me they can leave a message.

[Esprit]

I like to play games with the scam calls. Whenever I get one saying there's a problem with my internet, I thank them for calling as my internet has been down. I tell them to fix it ASAP which confuses them so they hang up!
Similarly, when I get calls asking if I'm the home owner. I say "No" on purpose so they say I'm not eligible. I then rant at them for discrimination against me! Makes me smile.

[oldbluefox]

I think I've had all those scams and more. I get the insurance one, you know you've just had an accident and it wasn't your fault. I ain't just had an accident 'cause I ain't got a car. I usually just hang up.

Best response I heard so far - Blimey, you've been quick. I'm still waiting for the ambulance!!!

With the internet calls I play dumb and pretend not to know anything. I ask them all sorts of stupid questions then say I'll go and switch the computer on, put the phone down and leave it. Sometimes they even ring back and ask where I've been!!! We then go through the cycle again until they give up. I'm happy to lead them on a wild goose chase and waste their time. Whilst they are dealing with me it leaves less time to scam others.

[Manoverboard]

The phones we use are BT4500 but the latest is the BT4600, these also have the BIG numbers

[oldbluefox]

We have BT plus their phones with Caller Display and Blocking facilities but like David we do not answer if it doesn't show the name of the caller. After the ringing stops we check the dialing code to see if it is local or from an area where we have chums etc. If it looks ok I will return the call otherwise we wait and see. I have found that I get far fewer if I don't answer the phone to unknown callers.

The caller display facility is deffo the way to go using a phone that registers the names and numbers of everybody you care to talk to.

We have that and do much the same but hospital calls or calls from the doctors are usually Caller withheld or a number I don't recognise so we have been answering but unless I want to play games with them the receiver goes straight back down.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think I've had all those scams and more. I get the insurance one, you know you've just had an accident and it wasn't your fault. I ain't just had an accident 'cause I ain't got a car. I usually just hang up.

Best response I heard so far - Blimey, you've been quick. I'm still waiting for the ambulance!!!

With the internet calls I play dumb and pretend not to know anything. I ask them all sorts of stupid questions then say I'll go and switch the computer on, put the phone down and leave it. Sometimes they even ring back and ask where I've been!!! We then go through the cycle again until they give up. I'm happy to lead them on a wild goose chase and waste their time. Whilst they are dealing with me it leaves less time to scam others.

I once played a similar game. Took ages to go to the computer. Asked them to repeat every instruction. Played really think. I eventually said "oh this is strange, I have an odd message on my screen". They asked me to read it. I told them it said "This man is a crook and he's trying to steal all your money". He got very upset at being called a crook and then hung up.

[Manoverboard]

How did your computer know it was a man calling ?

[CaroleF]

I definitely need to get a new phone set, that seems the way to go!

Carole

[Ray B]

Been waiting ages for the tax agency to come and arrest me as there is an arrest warrant out over my tax affairs.

[Stephen]

Since we upgraded our Sky broadband package and included Sky Talk Shield we hardly ever get any scam calls. And the very rare occasional one that might slip through is so obvious, usually Johnny foreigner that can barely string to words of English together. Instantly gets cut off

[Stephen]

Been waiting ages for the tax agency to come and arrest me as there is an arrest warrant out over my tax affairs.

Sorry about that. Didn’t know it was you

[Ray B]

He(HMRC) speaks in very good well spoken English. No doubt someone is taken in.

[towny44]

Since we upgraded our Sky broadband package and included Sky Talk Shield we hardly ever get any scam calls. And the very rare occasional one that might slip through is so obvious, usually Johnny foreigner that can barely string to words of English together. Instantly gets cut off

This is certainly the phone system we would recomend, if a call is genuine its an easy system for people to follow, but scam callers seem to disconnect before we are troubled, and any regular phone number we want to have instant access can be added to our star list.

[Manoverboard]

SKY is an ok deal but if there are line problems then you can be in the middle of a tug-o-war betwixt SKY and BT at which point you will probably revert to a BT package. We know a number of folk who have trodden that path but meanwhile ... good luck

[Meg 50]

I think I've had all those scams and more. I get the insurance one, you know you've just had an accident and it wasn't your fault. I ain't just had an accident 'cause I ain't got a car. I usually just hang up.

Best response I heard so far - Blimey, you've been quick. I'm still waiting for the ambulance!!!

With the internet calls I play dumb and pretend not to know anything. I ask them all sorts of stupid questions then say I'll go and switch the computer on, put the phone down and leave it. Sometimes they even ring back and ask where I've been!!! We then go through the cycle again until they give up. I'm happy to lead them on a wild goose chase and waste their time. Whilst they are dealing with me it leaves less time to scam others.

I once played a similar game. Took ages to go to the computer. Asked them to repeat every instruction. Played really think. I eventually said "oh this is strange, I have an odd message on my screen". They asked me to read it. I told them it said "This man is a crook and he's trying to steal all your money". He got very upset at being called a crook and then hung up.

we get very few now we've updated our phones - but I liked to answer the 'accident ' one with - "oooh - was that the one where I died?"

[Stephen]

SKY is an ok deal but if there are line problems then you can be in the middle of a tug-o-war betwixt SKY and BT at which point you will probably revert to a BT package. We know a number of folk who have trodden that path but meanwhile ... good luck

It depends if you want to be a slave to BT and their prices.

No matter who your broadband or phone provider is BT are still responsible for the line up to your house. If you are with Sky and the line develops a fault then you contact Sky who will in turn contact BT to investigate and fix it. Who pays is another question.


Taken from Ofcom

What if my provider doesn’t own the network?

Even if another company (such as Openreach) manages the network through which your service is provided, you only need to deal with your provider.

Your provider might need to send an engineer to your property to carry out checks. This person could be from your own provider or Openreach. If your provider needs to send an engineer then they should tell you in advance if they charge for such visits. If they do charge, they should tell you when you might be expected to pay and how much (for example if the fault is found to be with your equipment). Not all providers charge for engineer visits.

If you were promised an engineer visit but they didn’t turn up, complain to your provider as they might offer compensation. If you need to change the appointment time, let your provider know as quickly as you can in advance.

[towny44]

SKY is an ok deal but if there are line problems then you can be in the middle of a tug-o-war betwixt SKY and BT at which point you will probably revert to a BT package. We know a number of folk who have trodden that path but meanwhile ... good luck

Strangely enough we have found that Openreach give Sky customers just as good a service as any of all the others that piggy back on what used to be BTs hardware, but of course is now totally independent, even if still owned by BT.

[Kendhni]

I find a nice polite but firm '%£^$ off your parasitic £$%#" works.