Is it a scam? (NB)

[Rowana]

I'm confused! (so whats new?)

My mobile phone rings at least once, and sometimes up to 4, times a day.
When I answer, there is about 2 seconds of silence followed by 3 bleeps and there is never anyone there,
The display says "Private number", so I don't know who it is.

Is this a scam, and if so, how does it work? I can't figure it out.



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[steve_cronin]

I get four or five SMS message alerts from a mobile number but there isn't a message. I tried the number once and it is "not a recognised number"

Irritating but I wish someone could tell me if this is costing me. My monthly bill doesn't show anything.

Steve Cronin




<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[cameronke]

I have heard that there are telesales systems that will ring 100 numbers simultaneously and alocate the first to answer to a tele-pain-in-the-@#r£ person. The others will just be a dead line if they answer (unless there is another tele-pain-in-the-@#r£ person available) The idea appears to be not to waste the tele-pain-in-the-@#r£ persons time while we struggle to answer our phones.

So please dont inconvenience these tele-pain-in-the-@#r£ persons time by dallying on your way to phone. Time is money after all.

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[zefender]

It's a bit like keying in 1471 before dialling. Some companies just programme their switchboards to withhold their number because their have direct lines, others because they make more outbound calls than inbound and their inbound resources wouldn't be able to cope. Don't think it means there's a scam afoot, just that the tel number might not be a useful record for you to try and get back to them.

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[Rowana]

This sounds just right!

Phone went a couple of minutes ago, (Private number), and when I answered, some nerd asked something about changing my phone to another network. Told him where to put his phone network - sideways ! !

Is there any way round this?

Do I complain to Ofcom, or whoever?

Can my present network do anything about these?


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[bigmart]

I had this problem on my landline. Complained to BT who have a system of blocking this type of call.

Martin

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[l'escargot]

Info about it <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dma.org.uk/_Attachments/A/CAC55527-FFFFE697-4F13-AD0E-D537A7EA10B3.HTM>here</A> and there is a link to the Telephone Preference Service at the bottom.

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[jimi]

Even worse if you're abroad cos you've got to start paying as well.

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..

 

[Magic_Sailor]

Yes it is - it was on the radio yesterday.

You haven't got time to answer. So, you call back the "missed number" which turns out to be premium rate call to a bogus "you've won a prize" recording - which of course takes hours to listen to.

Magic

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://practical-business.co.uk>Click for website!</A>

 

[l'escargot]

It's not when the caller's number is withheld, as in this case. The variation on the one you're quoting is when they text you a number and expect you to ring it.

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[Rowana]

I have my land-line phone registered with the TPS. Also my number is Ex-directory. I do still get the occasional call from some marketing nerd, but before they launch into their speil, I ask where they got this number, then inform them it is registered with TPS, Ex-directory and I do not accept calls like this, and hang up.

There is a similar service for snail mail, with which I also registered. Takes about 3 months for it to dry up, but I get virtually no junk-mail now, except for those with no address, and they just go straight into file 13!

I must see if I can also register my mobile number.


Thanks to all.

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[Neraida]

On a similar note...

Vodafone have issued the following warning of a new scam which my business service provider sent me this morning...

You may get a "missed call" from a number like 07090 20****. Most people will call the number back thinking it is a normal mobile number, but it isn't!!
The call will be charged at £50.00 per minute (yes FIFTY!!!). Best not to return any 07090 numbers!!

People have of course complained to their providers about the cost of their calls, but this is completely legal.

OfTel are trying to find away of banning this practice, but legally its a sticky wicket.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=wanted>Stuff Wanted </A>

 

[JeremyF]

Sorry, but no scam

the 07xxx number range is primarily used for personal numbers. These are not premium rate numbers, but are used to enable people to have one number, but divert the call onto different fixed or mobile numbers. There's no need to be suspicious of these. The actual number you gave is owned by Redstone Communications, a reputable Telco.

Mobile scam has gone through three phases so far. The first was a text message inviting you to phone a 090xx number to win a prize. This has abated as we at Vodafone have witheld payments to these numbers, so the economics don't work. The second evolution was a text message with a 'claim your prize' message, with a regular landline number to dial. When you rang the number, there was a message on the machine telling you to dial a 090xx number. Yes we are now onto that.

Yesterday's scam revealed in the press and TV was a new one - its not text, but relies on the 'missed call' feature of most phones. Machines would call a number, let it ring, and then hang up. You then get a missed call number on the display. It would be a regular number, but if your curiosity got to you, you would dial it, and you would get the same message as the second example above. This is more difficult for us to stop.

If you get a scam/spam message on a Vodafone phone, just forward it to VSPAM, i.e. 87726, and we will start to deal with the offenders.

If you want to know more visit OfCom or ICSTIS website. Here are the pricing rules for 090xx numbers....Don't be concerned by 070xx
090 0/
090 1
Call cost up to 60 pence per minute with a maximum call cost of £5.00; or fixed cost up to £1.00 per call

090 4
Open ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate

090 5
Open ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate

090 59
Live Multi-Party Chat services costing up to 60 pence per minute

090 6
Open ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate

090 7
Pay-for-product services costing more than £1.00

090 8/
090 9
Adult services at any rate




<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[ccscott49]

Re: On a similar note...

Why dont they ban numbers with 07090?? Probably because they get paid for them to be issued!!!!

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[halcyon]

Re: Sorry, but no scam

The same warning on that 07xx number were issued on radio in Cornwall this week, with the same £50 a minute charge, one chap had been caught 3 times.

Brian

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[Heckler]

correct
i had the police and bt involved because of a real silent caller, we set up the number that you dial to catch em, found out that the latter ones were what you describe
stu

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.beneteau-owners-association.org.uk

 

[l'escargot]

It\'s all rubbish

From the ICSTIS website:

the highest premium rate tariff available is £1.50 per minute. Despite the hundreds of enquiries received by ICSTIS about this ‘scam’ (and most have heard about it second or third-hand), not one person who claims that it has actually happened to them has been able to produce a phone bill to support their story.

Read more <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.icstis.org.uk/icstis2002/default.asp?node=-1>here</A>

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[tyce]

we had a circular around work this week,
apparantly there is a scam doing the rounds and what happens is you get a missed call on your mob so you phone back to see who it was and you then get charged upto 50 quid a minute, you can tell if it is this scam by the first four numbers of the missed call so when i get to work i will let you know what it is
also it is supposedly all legal so be careful

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