Vodafone scam - how does it work?

fwor

My phone number is in a Vodafone numbering range, but I moved to Asda Mobile years ago when Vodafone put the PAYG text rate up to 12p/text (Asda is 4p/text).

I regularly get number-withheld calls from what sounds to be (from the background chatter) a call centre in India (from the caller's accent). The caller claims to be from Vodafone, tells me I'm entitled to a free phone and asks whether I have received it yet.

Now obviously it's a scam, as Vodafone would (presumably) know that I am no longer a customer of theirs. So, my question: does anyone actually know (as opposed to being able to speculate about, which I can do myself) what they are after?

I try to keep them interested, but I reckon I can string them along a bit longer if I know what they actually want. They almost always ask me to confirm my name and address, and then give me what sounds like a fictitious name and address, but generally they don't hang up when I agree that the fictitious-sounding name is me, which is surprising. As long as I make sure that my made-up replies are not too silly, I can usually keep them talking for several minutes, but I should be able to do better than that with more info.

So - anyone know the real story behind these calls?

Yolina

Vodafone are known to outsource and therefore pass contact info to a number of companies (aka "outbound sales team" in voda-speak), but usually a number is showing. They always say that they're calling from Vodafone even though at best they're only acting on their behalf... as to VF knowing that you're no longer a customer... well they should but... you can never be sure with them really!

Edit: some known Voda sales cold-calling numbers 08080600702, 08080011101, 08080600832, 08080000144 ... and a cut-and-paste from one of the VF reps on their forum:
"If you're not happy to give your details to someone on a 'cold call' I completly understand. Sometime we do use outsource companies to make these kind of calls and as they don't have access to our internal systems it can take a while before any notes they leave show up on your account."

Wintermute

Generally they get enough details from you to take out a second contract or an upgrade in your name, they get commission from VF and you get locked into a contract and it becomes their word against yours.

gjchester

Yolina wrote: »

Vodafone are known to outsource and therefore pass contact info to a number of companies (aka "outbound sales team" in voda-speak), but usually a number is showing. They always say that they're calling from Vodafone even though at best they're only acting on their behalf... as to VF knowing that you're no longer a customer... well they should but... you can never be sure with them really!

Assuming it is vodafone it may seem bad but they are not the only one to outsource retention calls.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3160796

Has Phones4you working for Orange. Thats no different.

However theres a really good chance it's really a company who are not assosiated with the network at all. They often phone up and do the same. It's not rocket science to call 07825 000000 and work through to 07825 999999 via each number , 07825 is a vodafone range, odds are most people in that range will still be on vodafone.

Theres a very good chance that Vodafone have nothing to do with them, I've had the same on all networks on old phones, they know what range was allocated and take a chance. Like spam email, you don't need to get may bites to make it worthwhile.

Vodafone

Hi fwor,

I appreciate how frustrating it is to receive calls like this.

Without knowing the number which called you, it’s difficult to say whether or not they are associated with Vodafone, as most calls from or on behalf of Vodafone don’t use withheld numbers.

As gjchester said above, there are companies that will contact people by selecting numbers at random, who don’t necessarily have any connections to a mobile phone company.

As you’re no longer a Vodafone customer we aren’t able to amend your marketing preferences, however it may be worth asking Asda Mobile if this is something they can do.

You can also register for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) which is an official central opt out register, on which you can record your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls.

Kind regards,

Jenny
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK