Is this a scam?

rosysparkle

My ex husband's mobile phone number starts 0777 - it's been his number for many years, and I know from work that several people have mobile numbers starting 0777.

It's possible that the person/organisation calling you is a scam, but I don't think you can assert this based on the number beginning 0777.

Hope it's not someone's private number you have posted!

Thunderstorm_2

Roseysparkle, what I forgot to point out, was that a normal mobile phone number would show up as +44777 if it was an 0777 number. Clearly, this isn't, hence the "0" after the +44 and before the 777.

There should be no Zero!
As you can see, you would have called back, assuming this IS a mobile number. It is not. Sorry.

Furthermore, a variation of the exact same number has called again, not quite 15 minutes ago! I didn't answer it.

This time, it had prefix +213777, otherwise it is the exact same number.
I am actually a Mobile Phone "Nerd, Freak, Techno-nut" take your pick.
I know way more than is healthy about Mobile Communications Technology, so I am absolutely sure I haven't posted anyone's private mobile number here. Perish the thought. I also have friends, at least 3 of them with 0777 mobile numbers, which is how I got suckered into answering in the first place.

+213 reveals itself to be a Californian Telephone Area Code.
I do not know a soul in California. Sorry, too many weird coincidences, I still stand by my original suggestion, SCAM.

Sadly, a lot of people do not know to come here and let others know what is happening to them. Maybe in another month or so, there will be loads of people coming forward, weeping and gnashing their teeth, because they'd return called California without realising it, and been kept on the line for 15 minutes for what was a disguised Premium Rate Number.

Better safe than sorry.

vpilot

I have also been receiving silent calls from 07033338737, but decided to Google first before calling back... and come across this thread.

Very helpful info guys. Thanks!

dinglebert

any thread which starts "is this a scam" will always turn out to be a scam

dawnydee73

LilyThePink wrote: »

I just did a google search on a number that just called my house (Thurs 3rd Jan 2008) and thankfully I came across this scam warning. The number was 0703 652 2238. When I picked up the phone the voice (can't tell if was a recorded message or not) said "Hello can you hear me?" (as though he couldn't hear me) and then the line went dead.

As a naturally suspicious person when it comes to unknown numbers(!) I didn't recognise the number so wanted to check out whether it was an area code on google. I guess I was supposed to call back but I didn't!

Thanks all!:T

I've just had this number call my house 07036515058, he was saying the "hello can you hear" then the line also went dead, did a search on google nothing came back, so just put in the number 0703 and this forum came up.

So thanks everyone, so glad I did not call it back

GreenGirl_2

Thanks, just avoided this one myself. "Hanging is too good for them."

I registered just so I could add the number I got for others that are sharp enough to Google it:

07036515227

0703 651 5227

emmlou32

New number to add, had this this afternoon

07036515487

Partner answered it and just got someone saying hello, hello, he put the phone down.

scottyboy77_2

wish I had found this thread before just falling for the "can you hear me" trick.

Anyway. Number 07036547354 was not found in google. So perhaps this will help some other person avoid the trap.

wantmemoney

070342*****

Bolt Services
26-28 Goodall Street
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 1QL

http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/consumers/adjudications/default.asp?AD=08%2F04%2F2008&SP=PPD+Comms+%28UK%29&ST=&SpLookup=Search&Keywords=&cmd=2
07 Apr 2006
Content and/or promotion provided by N/A Service provider responsible for compliance under the Code of Practice PPD Comms (UK) Service provider location Maidenhead Telephone network(s) Bolt Services
Service type Fax service
Cost £1.50 per minute
Number of complaints 30
Source of complaint Public
Complaint from Nationwide
Fine £40000
Sanction 12-month bar on access
12-month bar on operating any other fax-based services
Formal reprimand

MothballsWallet

+213 is the international code for Algeria (from a search of Steve Kropla's website).

(If it was California, it would have come up as +1 213, as "1" is the international code for the USA.)

Perhaps Algerians are trying to topple Nigerians as the world's most prolific scam artists?

The international direct dialing (IDD) format is defined as: +country city subscriber. For example, a London number would be written as: +44 (0)20 7123 45678

The leading 0 in the city code is never dialled if it's listed in brackets: if the city code does need the leading 0 dialled, then it won't be listed in brackets.