Reverse Phone Charge Scam

[Beswad]

My phone rang today, someone else in my household answered first then it was passed onto me.

I said 'hello, hello' but there's no reply, only to think it was a recorded message in a male American accent saying something about winning a holiday in sunny Florida. I only manage to catch a few seconds then I quickly hung up, fearing it might be a Reverse Phone Charge scam. Has anyone experience this before? And can they do this?

[Chillum]

I don't think they can do that. This is a common call. It gives you a premium rate number to call to claim your "prize", that they've been trying so hard to contact you about. That's how they make their money. Just hang up or register with the Telephone Preference Service to rid yourself of these pests. Do it online here .

[jenky]

The new BT privacy service is free and includes caller ID and subscription to TPS.

[Sammy Snake]

Registering with TPS won't stop this type of call as they are made from America usually and TPS only covers Britain.

[Chillum]

I haven't had one of these taped calls since I signed up. I used to get 3 or 4 a week, I used to get 3 or 4 different calls a day, now it's only the very occaisional one that slips through, and I quite look forward to scaring them off with threats of heavy fines.