Mobile Phone Scam? I think? But not sure how it works

donstermonster

I am currently the "Victim" of Identity theft but i do not understand what the point of the "scam" is apart from inconvenience, am i missing something?

SO far two mobile phone companies have had applications made by a telephone call (as opposed to on the web) to take out mobile phone contracts on high end phones. A lot of details given are correct and an email address has been created with details of me in it (but not one of my addresses) BUT here is the strange things:

The phones are delivered to me

The payment method used is Direct Debit to a VALID bank account(as DDs have been successfully setup) but as far as i can tell not to my own bank account , phone companies can only tell me the DDS have been setup but not the bank account details , if i guess them they can confirm if they are correct or not but cannot tell me what they are, they do NOT seem to my own personal details unless i have an account i have forgotten about

What kind of scam could this be? :mad:

Paul_Varjak

The kind of scam you need to report to the Police (in order to protect yourself)

Ritchie74

Someone you know who can't get a contract in their own name (bad credit/underage) but has access to your personal details and thought they could intercept the delivery so you'd be none the wiser?

donstermonster

I have reported it and have an incident number , not a crime reference as until i actually lose money or otherwise no crime has been committed,

I also rang my bank and they were - USELESS just not interested so i am going to visit my actual branch tomorrow to explain and complain

Paul_Varjak

If you have internet banking you can check if any Direct Debit has been set up (as yet) on your bank account.

Unfortunately, most banks will not take instructions to block future Direct Debits being set up on your account.

So, if you have internet banking, check each day for the next month or two to see if any direct debits mandates are set up. If that does happen you can usually cancel them on-line before any money goes out!

You should also think about protective registration with CIFAS www.cifas.org.uk

st999

Someday the person who ordered the phones will turn up at your door, telling you a tale about incorrect addresses or something like that and ask for the phones.

You being the nice person you are will hand over said phones.

Next day phone company will be at your door asking for the incorrectly delivered phones.

You of course no longer have the phones so said phone companies will say you are responsible give us the money.

You of course will reply, you sent unsolicited phones tough luck go away.

I will leave the rest to you

Stan

maninthestreet

OP - do you still have the phones? How long have you had them?

aaronm_2

I have met with such situations like OP. Sometimes I am very curious why he has got my number?

mateypeeps

donstermonster wrote: »

I have reported it and have an incident number , not a crime reference as until i actually lose money or otherwise no crime has been committed,

I also rang my bank and they were - USELESS just not interested so i am going to visit my actual branch tomorrow to explain and complain

Mention POCA, SOCA, the Money Laundering act, the FSA rules (especially TCF - treating customers fairly) and the anti-terrorist act, when talking to the bank (HBOS is it?).

Mention the 7 or 14 year maximum jail sentence the person you talk to may get if they ignore possible offense being committed.

Tell them to check with their Money Laundering Officer, and if they do not know who it is, tell them to get a supervisor or his boss, as someone is legally liable to be registered under the act as responsible for decisions on this.

Also, the person in the bank you speak to is supposed BY LAW to know what to do in reporting potential incidents of terrorist fund raising, or money laundering activity(that any reasonable person with due diligence would suspect needs investigating). If they do not that is grounds for disciplinary proceedings by the bank to protect themselves from hefty fines (some banks have been fined millions for not behaving properly).



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proceeds_of_Crime_Act_2002

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

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

donstermonster

Hi, I had the phones delivered Monday evening , rang the company immediately, they are being picked up by courier today

maninthestreet

donstermonster wrote: »

Hi, I had the phones delivered Monday evening , rang the company immediately, they are being picked up by courier today

Yesterday, or last Monday?
If it's yesterday, the scam maybe that a bogus courier turns up on your doorstep stating the phones were delivered to the wrong address, and demands you hand them over. Make sure that you confirm that the courier who picks them up today is genuine.