Think I've been scammed but why does Vodafone let it happen?

[Deleted User]

This morning I received a text message from Vodafone telling me that my account was overdue and that I needed to make a payment. Now, my payment WAS due - but I had thought that a payment had already been taken via direct debit.

Anyway, I called the number but it just rang once then cut off. I tried a few times but the same thing happened.

After this occurred, I googled the number to check it and there are mixed messages - some say that it genuinely IS Vodafone collections, but most say that it is a scam designed to get Vodafone customers to call an 0870 number and make money from them.

Now, I don't really care about a few pence here and then because I've learnt my lesson, but if this is as common as some of the google results suggest, how come customers are charged and Vodafone doesn't pick up the bill. It seems to be happening exclusively to Vodafone customers - how have such scammers got hold of Vodafone's customer details?

I could understand if the scam was targetting customers of a variety of networks, but surely the fact that only vodafone customers are targetted means that the numbers have been accessed via a vodafone leak in some way?

TwistedPsycho

Vodafone are currently experiencing network problems due to vandalism/break-in in Hampshire taking significant sections of their netwrk offline.

I would imagine that the reason you were cut off was that the call centres are probably running at 150% with people who have not seen the online reports like on this forum.


I would suggest that while we know they are having problems, get in touch with your bank and get an assurance that the DD went out (these things happen sometimes); if it HAS then give it until they have a working network again, give it a few hours (even wait until tomorrow) and then give them a call.

Could be absolutely nothing, but I doubt that you will be getting the full attention of the customer care staff at the moment because they will be inundated with "Wheres My Phone Service - I Want A Refund" calls and I suspect at the end of their thether by about now.

EDIT: What was the number they prompted you to call? Maybe others on here will have knowledge.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your reply - I'm still not sure whether it's a scam or not!

The message was as follows (from 'message')

>From Vodafone - To keep you informed your account status is overdue please call 08700778668 to avoid any future restriction to your service

Now, to me reading it back it does look like it's spam as it's not 100% accurate grammatically, but then again some of vodafone's genuine text messages to me haven't been that well written! Also, I would have thought they would ask customers to call 191.

When you google the number you get all sorts of links but on the 'who calls me' forum a few of the replies say that the number genuinely IS vodafone's collections department:

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700778668

It's not that clear either way is it? If it is a scam then it's a really clever one where they've deliberately posted in places like whocallsme to try and divert attention away from those claiming it's a scam.

Also, it's an 0870 number which - unless I'm wrong - isn't hugely costly to call and isn't premium rate? You would have thought they would choose a more pricey premium number to use surely?

TwistedPsycho

Googling as you did, I too could not say for sure that it is or is not really them.

I would not call the number again, but call Vodafone direclty on 191.

wantmemoney

TwistedPsycho wrote:

It's not that clear either way is it? If it is a scam then it's a really clever one

0870 070 xxxx
0870 071 xxxx
0870 072 xxxx
0870 073 xxxx
0870 074 xxxx
0870 075 xxxx
0870 076 xxxx
0870 077 xxxx
0870 078 xxxx
0870 079 xxxx

all the above blocks are allocated to Vodafone.

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700700191
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700708105
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700708106
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700708150
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700711165
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700712890
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700725625
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08700733222

Vodafone earn revenue each time these numbers are called (more expensive from a mobile). Who have they re-allocated these revenue share generating numbers to?

so
'is it Vodafone or is it a scam'
or
is it Vodafone and is it a scam?

TwistedPsycho

I did not realise that Vodafone had control of such a huge block. Thank you for posting this as I am sure it will be of use in the future.

colinicky

Interesting thing is if you put that number into http://www.saynoto0870.com/ then there is no record of it which if it is a Vodaphone general number I find strange .

wantmemoney

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08453510124

08453510043 08453510054 08453510156 08453510194 08453510195 08453510196 08453511556 08453512226 08453512255 08453512259 08453512261 08453512262 08453512267 08453512268 08453512269 08453512270 08453512271 08453512272 08453512274 08453512275 08453512276 08453512278 08453512279 08453512280 08453512281 08453512282 08453512285 08453512287 08453512288 08453512290 08453512291 08453512295 08453512299

the above numbers (Colt Technology Services) are being used to 'warn' various bank customers of problems with accounts.

the same tactics has bunglejemson identified are being used.

these are criminals using the Ofcom 'Regulated' Network and numbers to target the public.
The Networks and number 're-sellers' are profiting from this activity and the public picks up the costs (annoyance, unnecessary phone charges and risk of loss due to identity theft and fraud).

SD1_2

I'm not certain that this particular incident is a scam, however you should be extremely wary when responding to text messages or emails that purport to come from anyone you have a financial relationship with. There have been incidents of "SMS phishing" that follow this exact format and have led to identity theft or credit card fraud.

If you receive a message in any format from anyone claiming that there's a "problem" with your account, don't reply (or hang up if they're calling you) and call the customer service number printed on your bill or statement to ensure that you are dealing with the genuine customer service department. If there's really a problem, they'll be able to help you to resolve it.

bassl1ne

Had a message "From Vodafone To keep you informed your account status is overdue; please call 08700778668 to avoid any future restriction to your service"

I called 191 to check, the advisor told me that Vodafone are aware of this scam and not to call or reply to it, and as I thought no outstanding balance on my account as I pay by DD.

albionrovers

I got threatened for non-payment by Vodafone and I've never even been a customer.