You receive a call, claiming to be from BT, saying you are being disconnected due to an unpaid bill. Payment of around £30 (by credit card) is demanded and you are reminded it will cost £118.00 to reconnect at a later date. The caller isn’t fazed if you say you are with Virgin Media (VM has to pay BT for line rental). If asked for a name and number, the name will likely be very English but with a distinctly foreign accent and the number given is 0800 0800 152 (BT’s number is actually 0800 800 152)
The caller will “prove” he/she is from BT by suggesting you hang up and try calling someone else. Your telephone will appear “dead”. This is not that clever; the caller simply stays on the line with the mute button on so you can’t dial out (only the initiator can terminate a call). When you stop trying, the caller hangs up and immediately rings back.
This scam could easily fool the vulnerable and it’s not about the £30 – this would be blocked by Merchant Services – it’s all about accessing your credit card details including the Security Number so it can be used for far larger purchases! Please pass on this warning.
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 