07012 numbers. Are they premium rate

Steve_xx

The number range in question (07012) was issued to Thus PLC in February 1996.

Here are some details about who Thus are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thus

wantmemoney

http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/numberchecker/DisplayServiceDetails.asp

This is what we know about the number you entered (07012212212).

We do not have any specific information about this number at present. However we can tell you the following.

• This is classified as being used for Personal Numbers.
• It is provided by Skymarket Limited.

These frauds use ACE (Automatic Calling Equipment). All the regulators are well aware of them. They know who the companies are that are behind them.

Paradise_Found

wantmemoney wrote: »

These frauds use ACE (Automatic Calling Equipment)...

I thought such equipment dialed numbers on a completely random basis;
if that's the case, why has my (ex directory) number been called on five
consecutive afternoons?


The point of all this is I'm not concerned about getting scammed,
I'm annoyed about getting disturbed, as I work at night and sleep
during the afternoons!!!

Everybody I know knows not to call me during the day,
so if I get a call, I always assume it's a family emergency!


I also get "international" numbers calling two/three times a week,
which also disturb me - would changing my number help, or do these
fraudsters just phone every UK landline until they get a ringing tone?


really need to get some sleep,


MARK

Steve_xx

The problem here is that you don't get protection from international callers with the Telephone Preference Scheme. It has no jurisdiction over non-UK generated calls. Although there may be some EEC legislation that guards against pan-EEC state generated calls, but it would be difficult to police it.

Paradise_Found

Steve_xx wrote: »

The problem here is that you don't get protection from international callers with the Telephone Preference Scheme. It has no jurisdiction over non-UK generated calls.

Fair enough, so is there any way that I can block "International" calls
altogether, in a similar way that I can filter out dubious e-mails?

As a more general question, is there any equipment you can
buy which can be progammed to filter certain numbers so that
"call callers" can't get through at all??

In other words, if the caller display info starts "070xx"
or is "international", the phone doesn't even ring in the first place?


If not, why not? :rolleyes:


MARK

BexTech

Paradise_Found wrote: »

Fair enough, so is there any way that I can block "International" calls
altogether, in a similar way that I can filter out dubious e-mails?

As a more general question, is there any equipment you can
buy which can be progammed to filter certain numbers so that
"call callers" can't get through at all??

In other words, if the caller display info starts "070xx"
or is "international", the phone doesn't even ring in the first place?


If not, why not? :rolleyes:


MARK

The problem with blocking "International" calls is that many people use cheap call providers and these often display as "International".

Now there's no reason why BT can't actually display the "International" number, after all it is transmitted, it's just they often choose not to. On my VoIP service it shows all numbers even when International as long as the International network is able too and I've not had a call from an International network that isn't.

Paradise_Found

The plot thickens!

I just got a reply from the provider of the 070 number;
he seems as frustrated with the situation as I do...

Thanks for your e-mail.

We have indeed already had other complaints about calls from this
number. Although the number in question is on one of our ranges, it is
not assigned to any customer and does not route anywhere. If you were to
call it, you would hear either an engaged or continuous tone.

The CLID of the nuisance calls is being spoofed, to make it look as
though they are coming from that 070 number. Unfortunately there is
nothing we can do directly to stop the calls as in reality they do not
pass through our network at all. We have already alerted Ofcom to these
complaints and are working with them to see if there is anything that
can be done to stop the calls and/or trace the people making them.

Is it really possible for criminals based abroad to "spoof" their Caller ID like this?

If so, the scammers seem to be one step ahead of the regulators,
who frankly don't seem to be treating the problem very seriously.


Looks like my only option now is to unplug the phone altogether
during the day... :rolleyes:


MARK

BexTech

Paradise_Found wrote: »

The plot thickens!

I just got a reply from the provider of the 070 number;
he seems as frustrated with the situation as I do...



Is it really possible for criminals based abroad to "spoof" their Caller ID like this?

If so, the scammers seem to be one step ahead of the regulators,
who frankly don't seem to be treating the problem very seriously.


Looks like my only option now is to unplug the phone altogether
during the day... :rolleyes:


MARK

I used to spoof my caller ID with un-dialable numbers, today I just spoof with numbers I already have (are mine to use).

Paradise_Found

BexTech wrote: »

I used to spoof my caller ID with un-dialable numbers, today I just spoof with numbers I already have (are mine to use).

OK, I take that to mean that it's quite easy to do...

...but is it legal to spoof a number allocated to someone else,
even if that number is not currently in use?


MARK

BexTech

There's nothing in law to say spoofing numbers allocated to someone else is illegal or spoofing CLID with any number is.