Taffycat
Crunchy Cat
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2006
- Messages
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We're all becoming used to hearing about telephone scams, and I'm sure that most here, are unlikely to be fooled. However, there appears to be a rather naughty telephone scam which is currently happening, so a heads-up for anyone who might not be aware of it.
This morning, shortly before 9 AM, we received a call from the number: 0113 2989000. When I picked up, there was a short silence, then a recorded voice told me they were "British Gas" and that I was to press "any key" ...
The "Off button" is any key, isn't it... so that's the one I pressed.
British Gas don't usually use recorded voices for making calls - at least, not in our experience. So I did some checking around.
First of all, the number is not recognised by the British Gas website. (Anyone can check a number here: http://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/contactus-personal-details/did-we-call-you.html) Also, BT does not recognise the number either.
Perhaps more worrying, are the accounts of other folk who have recently received calls. Those who did not choose the "Off button" had conversations with a man whom they say, knew all their details quite accurately; such as the name of the person to whom bills are normally addressed, details of payment dates, etc. (The 7th poster on this website details this well. http://www.whophonedme.co.uk/01132989000) More of the same here: http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/01132989000
Obviously, I don't know what the scammer would have tried with us, had I bothered to listen, because our bills are up-to-date. Some people were apparently asked about Smart Meters (so maybe hoping to extract payment in advance for one of those...? Who knows?)
But the moral of this wall of text is, take care if you're a British Gas customer and receive a call which purports to be from them. Check with the company before giving away any financial details, even if they appear to already "know" some of your personal details already. Perhaps the offender is a former employee of British Gas, who had access to such details(?) There could be any number of possibilities.
My own philosophy these days, is to be doubtful, not gullible.
This morning, shortly before 9 AM, we received a call from the number: 0113 2989000. When I picked up, there was a short silence, then a recorded voice told me they were "British Gas" and that I was to press "any key" ...
The "Off button" is any key, isn't it... so that's the one I pressed.
British Gas don't usually use recorded voices for making calls - at least, not in our experience. So I did some checking around.First of all, the number is not recognised by the British Gas website. (Anyone can check a number here: http://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/contactus-personal-details/did-we-call-you.html) Also, BT does not recognise the number either.
Perhaps more worrying, are the accounts of other folk who have recently received calls. Those who did not choose the "Off button" had conversations with a man whom they say, knew all their details quite accurately; such as the name of the person to whom bills are normally addressed, details of payment dates, etc. (The 7th poster on this website details this well. http://www.whophonedme.co.uk/01132989000) More of the same here: http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/01132989000
Obviously, I don't know what the scammer would have tried with us, had I bothered to listen, because our bills are up-to-date. Some people were apparently asked about Smart Meters (so maybe hoping to extract payment in advance for one of those...? Who knows?)
But the moral of this wall of text is, take care if you're a British Gas customer and receive a call which purports to be from them. Check with the company before giving away any financial details, even if they appear to already "know" some of your personal details already. Perhaps the offender is a former employee of British Gas, who had access to such details(?) There could be any number of possibilities.
My own philosophy these days, is to be doubtful, not gullible.