Latest Telephone Scam Warning

[Tuvok]

Got a "marketing" call tonight.

At first it was an automate voice saying to hold the line - so I did so that I could give them both barrels!

Then the caller came on the line and said he was from Procom and we'd been in touch with them about stopping unwanted calls......

At this point I let him have it, telling him we're registered with the TPS and that I know we don't have to pay for such a services.

"But you've already paid"

No we haven't!!!!

[Eve]

There was a scary one I read about another scam going round - a call from the "bank" saying there is suspicious activity on the card, saying they will send a courier round for it, something to do with the pin etc... All sounds dodgy enough but they advise you to ring the bank direct on their number as a security measure.

Apparently only a caller can hang up a call to a landline so when you then pick up the phone to ring the people you spoke to are still on the line with dialing tones and such to make you believe you are actually speaking to your bank. I'm sure there as also something about having been tailed beforehand as to your last purchase so they can confirm it on the phone.

Very elaborate scheme whatever it was.

[jno]

that's right, Eve, I saw that in the paper. If it happens to you, tell the caller you'll phone the bank separately on your mobile, that should stop them in their tracks. I didn't know that business about the line still being live if the caller doesn't hang up.

[Eve]

Here it is:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2384651/Think-idiot-hand-bank-card-PIN-number-thief-Read-.html

[Dee Sa]

never use your card to get money in the street, think ahead and always go into your bank/building society to withdraw from the machines inside not outside. Other option if too late for banks go to a big supermarket eg Tesco, Asda etc and buy a bottle of water or something small like a packet of biscuits and get £50 cashback.

[Zacs-Master]

Sorry, don't see why that's a scam.

[boxtops]

It's a scam if Tuvok hadn't been in touch with them, surely, they were just trying it on?

[Tuvok]

Its a scam - it was in the papers that companies are now telling you that for a fee they will stop nusciance calls. All they are doing is taking your money, registering you with the TPS and vanishing until they get the next sucker.

Its free to register with the TPS, but they can't stop calls from abroad. They can, and have, come down on businesses like a ton of bricks. A company (name escapes me just now, but it was a kitchen firm - who naturally blamed their computer system) got fined £90,000