Spam Phone Calls

jeanod

Just a warning to you all, I have recieved 3 text calls this morning from 0845 351 2291 saying they were barclays fraud team asking you to press any button to hear the message. I have been in touch with barclays and they dont know anything about it.

I googled the number and it came up as spam, Hope this helps someone.

joolsybools

Thanks, there are also websites you can log this on (I am guessing where you found out what it was), it would be good if you could do those too to spread the word. I think the main ones are:

Phonespam filter http://www.phonespamfilter.co.uk/search.php/08453512291 and
Who Calls Me http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08453512291/2

Thanks for letting us know. I tend to save these numbers into my phone so I can see if they start calling again.

Sassers

Just bumping this because guess what - the Barclays Fraud team are at it again! I have had two calls this morning and was stupid enough to press the menu buttons....
Then I realised......

tasty_snacks

I too received this call this morning.

It was extraordinary timing as I used my Barclays debit card for a rather large transaction last night, and I rarely use this card at all. They seem to have got very lucky with their timing, which I hope is an unlikely coincidence. The alternative explanation for the good timing is much more disconcerting.

Tangible

The scammers have also gone to a lot of work trying to contradict warnings about this number, but the fact that their message was received after your large purchase is just coincidence tasty_snacks.

You can verify such barclaycard phone numbers here

https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/credit-guidance/fraud-guide/fraud_prevention_service/

NinjaTune

Got a call from this number today and guess what ... it's genuine!

I saw this thread, cacked myself and rang Barclays Fraud Dept who confirmed that my card had been involved in fraudulent activity (police involved) and has been cancelled.

In case you assume I'm part of the scam, there's plenty of people on 'whocallsme.com' who also confirm their dealings with this number dating back to 2009.

It won't allow me to post links so google whocallsme.com and enter the number.

If you get a call from this number just ring your bank and ask to speak to the Fraud Prevention Dept. No need to call back that number if you think it's dodgy but please don't just ignore the call.

Tangible

I know MSE say that I shouldn't abuse you NinjaTune, but I did mention how easy it is to check fraud reporting numbers on Barclay's own site didn't I ? - and having double-checked and posted the result below, I have to say that your attempt to convince people it's genuine is about as dopey as you could imagine.

Warning!

The number you provided: 08453512291
does not match a genuine Barclaycard, Fraud Department phone number.

If you post again, I'll put it in bigger type next time, so that it won't be missed. :rotfl:

Commiserations if no one's ringing. Blame us. :T

NinjaTune

Hi Tangible

Better get your big fonts out then.

I agree that the number comes up as unrecognised hence the reason I phoned the fraud department at Barclay, ostensibly to inform them about this scam.

I was therefore quite surprised (and p***ed off) to discover that actually, yes, my account has been compromised and my card cancelled due to fraudulent activity. The police are involved and were the ones to notify the bank in the first place.

I've been into the bank today and have identified 5 unauthorised transactions for iTunes dating back to June (possibly more as the statement only went back 3 months).

They are small transactions - 2 x £0.59, 1 x £1.18, 1 x £9.50 and the latest was for £8.54. Clearly these folk like their music ...

Perhaps I should have put THIS part of my post in bigger type "If you get a call from this number just ring your bank and ask to speak to the Fraud Prevention Dept. No need to call back that number if you think it's dodgy but please don't just ignore the call"

NOBODY is saying call that number - I am saying call your bank on the number on the back of your card to check the situation.

If people just want to ignore it and not check directly with their bank (not that callback number) then I think they are the ones who are "dopey". However it's their call (quite literally).

No doubt you will come back with another sarcastic comment, feel free - it wasn't entirely unexpected my bank a/c is no longer at risk so I'm not bothered!

NinjaTune

Oh, and another thing.

If people get a message they think is a scam then they should be straight on the phone to their bank to report it as a matter of course! Ignoring these phone calls and not reporting them allows the scammers to continue with other unsuspecting victims.

How do I know that you aren't a scammer Tangible? lol

After all, who sounds the most dodgy: me advising people to contact the proper fraud prevention number or you telling people to just ignore it (and possibly allow more fraud to take place). Hmm, just hmmmm ....

(I am of course joking, unlike yourself I don't randomly accuse people of being liars)

Tangible

Fair enough Ninja Tune but your previous post was unclear and misleading, and the whocallsme site is covered with scammers trying to confirm that the fake phishing number is authentic.

There are people who get suckered by this type of scam, so it's best to be clear and avoid confusion. As I had checked the number on the true Barclays website (and beware because scammers will set up fake bank sites too to support their scams), I wasn't just giving a personal opinion.

Presumably then, your message didn't ask you to call that number.

I'll say no more - except to say

You could beat me in the IQ and beauty stakes NinjaTune, but never challenge me to a sarcasm duel. I provided the link to the place where the proper Barclays Bank fraud reporting number is located, and can be verified. However, if the message I'd received had a number that came up as fake, I probably wouldn't bother going any further.

I'd ignore any text message from my bank, as they don't have my mobile number and I disapprove of banks with psychic powers.

NinjaTune

Without wishing to be picky Tangible, your link is for Barclaycard who are a separate entity to Barclays Bank which is possibly why the number is not recognised?

I have a visa debit card so the call I received wasn't from Barclaycard Fraud Prevention, it was from Barclays Bank fraud dept (different company, different fraud depts). I don't have a Barclaycard.

I saw it as a missed call so googled the number, saw this thread and as I say I panicked. The call turned out to be genuine in as much as my card has indeed been subject to fraud. Unless the scammers are able to access the Barclays Fraud data then it would have to be one hell of a coincidence.

I now have the joy of digging out all my old statements to see how far back they've been getting free music from my account. If they used my hard earned cash to download Jedward I think I will kill myself

So, basically my advice is: never trust an unsolicited call from a number you don't know BUT always call your bank to check whether the call was genuine.

I'm very glad I did as they had already blocked my card and I was about to go and do my weekly shoppping. I would have been acutely embarassed to have my card rejected at the checkout!

ps a sarcasm duel sounds good *sharpens tongue*