Latest Telephone Scam

[Tuvok]

Just had a phone call - came up as international which gets me ready for a fight!!!

Turns out someone at my address has had a minor road accident - NOT!

Chap claimed to be from Road Traffic Management.

Told him no one at this address drives and that we're registered wit the TPS

This didn't stop him - he changed his story slightly but only got a few words out before I told him again about the TPS and due to me telling him that they are not to call me again - Goodbye!

I hung up on him.

[237SJ]

I had a few from the Accident Helpline asking if I had an accident. Road accidents seems to be the latest scam. There is info on the real Accident Helpline`s website about it. The other night, the guy phoned again. I was particularly annoyed that they phoned over Christmas. I said "Why don`t you take the phone and stick..." Unfortunately, he put the phone down on me before I finished what I wanted to say.

[aelmpvw]

according to cold callers i've had that many accidents i'm beginning to feel grateful to be alive

[Tuvok]

I thinks its rude of them to hangup when I'm giving them both barrels!!!

Its better when they are still reading their script and I hang up on them!

[hellywelly4]

Don't answer when it comes up as International. If you do they know it's a valid number and you will be bombarded. If it's anyone who matters they will leave you a message.

[Tuvok]

Yes - but what if you have relatives abroad?

Other nuscience calls come up as unknow or withheld - again I'm ready for battle

Genuine ones also sometimes show as that - as did Tesco when they called me about my pinched vouchers

[hellywelly4]

Yes, it's difficult in your case. Perhaps you could ask the relatives to leave you a message and then call them back - if you've got free calls that is.

[hc4361]

Skype calls show as being international, too, regardless of where the caller is.

[237SJ]

A friend of mine who lives 12 miles down the road shows as International when he phones me. That`s who I thought it was when 'Accident Helpline' phoned. He uses a prefix number before dialing that gives him cheaper calls. It`s difficult avoiding international calls when you have friends/relatives abroad as well. If someone from Australia calls me, I`m going to answer because the alternative is that I phone back which will cost a packet. People invariable talk for longer when they aren`t paying for the call IMO

[bhg481]

We always string them along by asking for details of the accident. You can string them along for ages - it's great fun.

[jake-the-peg]

TPS only applies to calls from within the UK as it's to do with UK regulation.

And to report them you need their company name and address.

If it's a UK call I usually ask if they're a British company (In my most patriotic voice) and where they're based.

That'll often get them to give me the information I need to report them.

If they are breaking the rules in the UK dont just tell them off! - report them!

A lot of them rely on the fact that people just can't be bothered to fill in a form on-line

[Dee Sa]

friend of mine stayed in a Manchester hotel for a family party and he used their internet and had hired a car to get there, on his return he received an official looking document by e mail from supposedly from Manchester police stating the car reg and that he had committed a traffic offence it said he could pay £100 by Paypal or go back there and appear in court, only after he sent the money did alarm bells ring Paypal refused to trace the money.
A new one is a phone call from the Grays, Essex police and gives the name of a genuine police officer there and they say that they have apprehended burglars and their [ the victim] address was on the list they had found and eventually they ask for your bank details and send a courier to collect your card.
These people are scum, they must sit comfortably at home all day thinking up new schemes.