Phone scam claiming to be BT!

[Becx N Gav]

I just got an e-mail about this so I am copying and pasting it, hope this doesn't escalate. This hasn't happened to anyone I know.



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 you have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!

I asked the guy's name - the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152.

Obviously the fella 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; he said credit card, there & then.

I said that I didn't k now 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.

Did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.


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 know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please let as many friends & family aware of this.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

How the hell did he manage to disconnect your phone....very scary.

 

[joolz1910]

Are you sure that this isn't an urban myth?

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/btscam.asp

 

[natalielongstaff]

Are you sure that this isn't an urban myth?

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/btscam.asp

they usually are

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

For goodness sake, what will these scumbags think of next

Anyone could 'pretend' to cut your phone off - by staying on the line to you, you are not able to get an outside line due to him blocking it (don't know how long they can do this for though).

My friend often rings me then doesn't put her phone back on it's cradle properl - I have to ring on her mobile to get her to do it so I can then make a call

Glad you reported it to the police, it must have been very unsettling for you