phone scam

bonnie_2

my friends husband recieved a phone call from an indian woman saying that he had been awarded a free phone with calls etc, she was very pushy and wouldnt go very stupidly he gave his bank account details why when it was a free phone and contract, some people are so gullible is this a scam it sounds like one.

Quasar

I certainly think it's a scam and your friend's husband should contact his bank and make them aware of the situation.

I agree he was very gullible to do this and it beggars belief to give one's bank account to a stranger who rings out of the blue, particularly when they are offering a "free" something or other!

greenwich

It may not be a scam. I used to get calls from India on behalf of Homecall offering me the usual discounts on BT call rates. Getting a free phone when you take out a mobile phone contract is standard. Your friend's husband may have well have taken out a new mobile phone contract!

It's more difficult to know what to do now. If it's a genuine company who are in the process of sending him a jazzy new phone, then by trying to block payment through his bank, he may give the impression that he's trying to evade payment.

I would wait to see if a letter or a phone turns up. Giving someone your bank details is not the end of the world. You do it every time you give someone a cheque (in that case it's even worse because you also give them your signature). Even if, improbably, a fraudster manages to get money out of his account, it will be an unauthorised transaction and so he'll get the money back.

Squiffy

Unless they are going to commit identify theft (and I doubt he gave his signature over the phone), the only thing they can do is set up a direct debit using those details.

Direct debits are easy to sort - the bank is legally obliged to refund them if there are mistakes.

chrisw

I had a similar call and it turned out it was from '3' the mobile phone company. I think the phone and so many calls were free for a certain line rental, so I suspect you'll find you've signed up to a monthly contract. I'm quite strong minded but I can see how you could get drawn in. I had to cut the woman off in the end as she wouldn't take no for an answer.

Davidboy

Yep I had one of these calls, but I told them where the stick the phone!! If they did, then they will need urgent surgery!!



D

surfcat

He would be covered by the distance selling regulations in any case, giving him (I think) 14 days to refuse acceptance of the phone when it arrives, and they have to refund any money taken.

essexhoney

i had something very similar to this last year.
recieved a phone call telling me i could have a free phone and god knows what else stupidly i gave them by bank details where i slowly noticed money disappearing it was just £10 here £10 there but upon checking my bank statments i noticed it was going to carphone warehouse! baring in mind i had never recieved the phone nor a letter confirming anything i went to my bank spoke to them and they got all my money back for me n fourtunatly have had no problems since.

my advice to you is to just be aware of whats happening keep an eye on any unusual direct debits coming out of the account etc and if you ahve any questions go and speak to an advisor at your local branch who will be able to help you cancel it and get you your money back.