Phone scam? NB

[Davy_S]

Last night at 8.15 I received a phone call, the caller, a woman, said she was from my bank and wanted to do a security check. I naturaly questioned this and was told it was normal practice up until 9pm. I was less than polite now, but was informed that the reason for the check was that a large amount of money was awaiting transfer into my account and it was to do with money laundering laws. I will not repeat what I told her to do next. I checked with the bank and of course it was a con, but how on earth did they get my name, bank and ex directory telephone No from? Any one else had similar experience, or did they pick on me because I am a poor boater.

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[dralex]

My number is also ex directory but I still get cold calls. I get very annoyed being cold called by anyone at any time of day, but especially evening. There are more and more companies trading lists of people these days and it only takes one box to be unticked ( or ticked) and your number is out there. I heard recently ( allegedly) Orange sell all their client details. The other thing I plan to do is get a shredder for mail disposal. Make sure you always read small print carefully and always look for the boxes- read the wording carefully as sometimes you ahve to tick on box and leave the next blank.

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[tcm]

Re: wow!

that is indeed v close.

I am not at all sure that banks etc are secure. Bought wifey an expensive watch, several months later put it on a named insurance list thingy, and within a week a v special burglar type bust a window and nicked ONLY the watch.

Incidentally, on your profile your full name, name of boat etc is a bit too much info imho and i bet anyone cd get yr address from that lot...

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[Davy_S]

Up until about 6months ago I got the odd cold call, I complained to Bt, they said it would take about 3 months to stop them. They did this and calls stoped, until this one last night. Like you say,I always shred my mail up and am very careful thats why I am a bit miffed as to where they got all the details from. The Gits.

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[Davy_S]

Re: wow!

As for profile yes your right, but as i have nothing to hide I thought nothing of it.
but to get my bank and ex directory phone No thats a surprise. Nice friendly bank now checking everything. (so they say) I dont own a watch worth nicking!

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[AJW]

Some weeks ago I came home to find an answerphone message that sounded like a computer generated voice (ala automated voice thingies from banks) asking me to ring a 09__ number. Needless to say I didn't, suspecting that it was a premium rate number.

There are two scales of ex-directory I think. I am not in phonebook but still can be got via directory enquiries I think. Suspect this is the free service and that the full ex dir costs. Last year SWMBO answered one of these "consumer survey" type calls and now we frequently get calls trying to sell her home improvements and financial services. I've got to the stage of when someone asks for her and says they are from XXXX loan co of sobbing uncontrollably and saying she's just left me. Usually shuts them up but possibly tempting fate!

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[Davy_S]

I have tried to get my No thru directory and cannot get it, I dont think it costs me any more, but could be wrong. I have done what Matt suggested and altered profile a little. No harm has been done its just annoying that someone has tried it on!

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[Tomsk]

They are targeting you because of the gold plated deck gear on your boat Dave! /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

Incidently they don't need phone number lists anymore. Computers a set to ring all numbers within an STD code starting at say 500000 and working incrementally up. As soon as the computer recognises a ringing tone it puts the call through to a sales geek..

<hr width=100% size=1>Tomsk -

What the hell... it's only money!

 

[IanPoole2]

Yep - I got the same thing. This is blah from Bank Name - can I ask you a few security questions.

I asked what the call was in aid off - she said she could n't tell me unless I answered the security questions.

Naturally old them to b*gger off

This was 8:30PM



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[Davy_S]

Nah its brass showing through the worn chrome /forums/images/icons/blush.gif

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[lydiamight]

It's quite simple----go onto www.the-dma.org click on to "For consumers" and register to block unwanted junk mail, e-mail and telephone selling. If you still get them then report them to the Direct Marketing Association. It does work.

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[Davy_S]

Well at least its not only me then! I have got a stiff neck keep looking around to see if anyone is watching me, gone completely paranoid.

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[lydiamight]

Apologies--the earlier reference to supressing unwanted mail and phone calls was for the international service. For the UK look on www.tpsonline.org.uk and www.mpsonline.org.uk

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

After my daily mail was getting ridiculous, half a tree some days I registered with the mail preference service online. Now I almost feel lonely at the sparse offerings of bills and ofcom reminders that hit the mat.

Definitely vouch for the service, but it takes a good few months to settle down. Do make sure you list all names in the household as it does not block the address only names.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

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[KevB]

To stop cold calling you can register <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/>HERE</A>. It works as I registered a couple of months ago and they do seem to have stopped. And it's free!!

 

[dralex]

Thanks- just done it and it's very easy. Hopefully our recycling bin won't fill so stupidly quickly now.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[l'escargot]

Your name and bank details are on your cheques and Switch/Delta transaction slips. These can be obtained from people you have legitimately done business with or in the case of transaction slips, "found" in a variety of ways. Unless you have caller id barred, anyone you telephone can get your ex directory number by dialling 1471.

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[milltech]

Re: wow!

For a time I worked in an office where a colleague lived really close. When we had the alarm upgraded he decided to have his house done too. Having lived in the house for several years without problems he was surprised to be burgled the week before the alarm installation was done!


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[NigelW]

To avoid cold calls you should register with the Telephone Preference Service.

If any company calls you then, they can be liable for a hefty fine. I have only had 1 call since then, nearly a year, and when I siad I was registered, they couldn't cut the line quickly enough.

Website is: www.tpsonline.org.uk

You can also register for mail and faxes - freedom!!

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[Davy_S]

Yes I have caller id barred, so they cant get it from that, plus all cold calls have been successfully blocked, all bills statements are shredded. Like you say though, any transactions I make they can gain info from that. It just seemed strange they got all three correct. Hope thats the end of it now, and it was just a one off.

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