So I recieved a phone call from HM Revenue & Customs at 2:30am

basmic

I decided to have an early night last night. At 2:30am I bricked myself - my mobile phone was buzzing around the table, with a private number shown as ringing.

Thinking it was somebody important (ie: hospital) I answered it. I don't really remember what was said word for word, but basically it was a bloke with an Alan Carr accent (but not camp) , saying he was phoning from HM Revenue & Customs! :eek:

I went along, and he said "I believe you're an illegal immigrant in this country"! :eek: Anyway a minute or two later, he told me he was going to put his manager on - it was the same voice, but calling themselves Mandy. I said they were the same person, they said otherwise - I just said, fine, whatever. :rotfl:

Anyway, the manager dribbles on saying how I haven't got a passport, and I am an illegal immigrant. I couldn't believe my ears - I was laughing while saying "yes that's right, I don't have a passport" - I was that miffed off but amused.

Anyway, they went ahead and put me on to their 'bailiff' - he wanted my postcode, etc. Despite claiming to know everything about me, he buckled when I asked him what town I lived in and said "you're an illegal immigrant..." blah blah. I reminded them that British born aren't born with passports up their rear ends...he asked me "you're saying you're don't have a passport?" "No!" "That makes you an illegal immigrant then!"

Eventually I got peed off enough to hang up - say 4 minutes after the call was received.

Anyway, the call had wound me up plenty, but it had sort of worried me at the same time. So I lay in bed the next half hour trying to get back to sleep, wondering who would pull a joke - if it was a joke - or if it was just a wrong number, or whatever.

Needless to say, I am not very bushy tailed and bright eyed this morning. I was hoping the good MSE folk could give me some advice, or reassurance.

INT1

Sounds like someone was after your personal details to me.

Also for everyone reading, fraudsters are targeting people with phishing emails trying to claim your owed tax rebate and to enter your personal details on a webiste linked from that email.

Be careful!

galvanizersbaby

Morning OP

It would not have been HMRC calling you - but I think you know that!

I hope you didn't give out your personal details on the phone - have you put your home number on any dodgy websites recently?

Hopefully this was somebody's idea of a joke! :mad: How annoying!

basmic

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

Morning OP

It would not have been HMRC calling you - but I think you know that!

I hope you didn't give out your personal details on the phone - have you put your home number on any dodgy websites recently?

Hopefully this was somebody's idea of a joke! :mad: How annoying!

At the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't them - it seemed more like a back bedroom job to me.

I didn't give them any of my details - whenever they asked, I always said as much as "you should know that, already".

I don't publish my mobile number anywhere in public, and I don't recall recently giving to anybody when ordering.

p-pincher

HMRC would definatley not be ringing you at this time. Definately something dodgy going on!!!!!!!!! Are you sure it wasn't someone you know trying to be funny. If not theres someone out there trying to get your details.

galvanizersbaby

basmic wrote: »

At the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't them - it seemed more like a back bedroom job to me.

I didn't give them any of my details - whenever they asked, I always said as much as "you should know that, already".

I don't publish my mobile number anywhere in public, and I don't recall recently giving to anybody when ordering.

Was the call on your mobile? - the amount of websites that ask for a mobile number when your ordering is vast - I normally change a digit on mine and use reputable companies but the other day I got a text explaining that I could get compensation for my accident if I texted this number back so clearly I've put my number in somewhere dodgy!

I would be really angry though if I got a call at 2.30am!!!! possibly not calling from this country :rolleyes:

BTW I used to work for HMRC and this is not the way they deal with illegal immigrants (like you hadn't guessed that) and also they don't contact you by email to let you know about tax rebates so as another poster mentioned be aware!

xmaslolly76

Oh well if your classed an illegal immergrant you wanna get down the DSS and claim for your free food, clothes, housing, bills and mobile phone :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

pulliptears

basmic, please post this on the warnings board as well, sounds like another scam

Well dont for being awake enough not to fall for it, I would have told them everything and my bra size at that time in the morning

belfastgirl23

Are you sure you don't have a friend or relative who might think this was funny??

Rockporkchop

Did it sound like the guy from Fonejacker?! Surely it couldn't be someone's idea of a joke - I would be absolutely livid if that happened to me. Whenever the phone rings late at night my heart is literally in my throat thinking it is bad news.

Must be some sort of new Nigerian scam? How unlucky.

PasturesNew

I'd just assume that somebody with my number somehow was drunk and their mate grabbed their phone and they were going through laughing "right, who can we call...?" ... then "ooh I know, this one, phone her, this one ... let me do it, go on, let me do it"