Nuisance phone calls or a scam?

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Its definitely, I repeat - definitely 100% a scam.

Its either a scamster after your details...

or the bank...

both of which are doing their best to relieve you of as much of your cash as possible, while provide as little back as possible...

So you are going to get ripped off by the caller whichever way....

 

[l'escargot]

I used to get calls that I know were genuine from my bank and from credit card companies (Amex were one of the worst) usually during the evening, which I resent. I wouldn't answer their security questions (even simple ones like "is that Mr *****?" I would put back to them by saying "who did you ring?") and always told them to write to me.

I had cause to change my phone number and now I don't give it to anyone for business purposes, just because there is a space for phone number on a form you don't have to fill it in. I insist that I am contacted by post or in some circumstances e mail. If I really want contact by phone, I will only give my mobile number - even big companies generally resist cold calling at mobile rates.

 

[graham]

Re:Almost Definitely a Scam.

The Abbey National are warning customers not to give out the exact info you were asked for over the phone as Scammers have gained loads of details from hundreds of their customers.

It begs the question how they got abbey national customers home numbers ion the first place. Probably now other banks are being hit also. Give them nothing and report it to your bank.

 

[pheran]

Re: Super Scam

Problems with foreign Call Centres? I always seem to get a Scouser or a Scot. Almost unintelligible. Give me New Delhi anytime /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DaveS]

Thanks for that link. I've been meaning to get round to registering for ages - and now I have! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[snowleopard]

Re:Almost Definitely a Scam.

individual numbers are sometimes obtained by sifting through rubbish. criminals pay druggies etc for info gleaned from bins - so much for a name and address, more for an account number. hence the increase in personal use of shredders.

another source of info is stolen mail. if they can get the odd outgoing sack from a bank or card company they're laughing.

 

[cliveharlow]

You could ask for a phone number to ring them back. Then check with your bank whether it is really one of theirs.

 

[VicS]

Re:Junk mail as well

If Junk mail is getting you down then the mailing preference service may also be of interest. Remember though it might stop things of interest as well.

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/