Is this a phone scam?

Paul_Saunders

My mother-in-law keeps getting phone calls where there seems to be a person at the other end but stays silent. This ha happened about 10 times so far, but the strange thing is that when she does a 1471 the number IS obtainable. It starts off 0207 which is London. When I called this number the ring tone gave me the impression it was somewhere abroad so I immediately hung up as I thought this could be a scam whereby the person WANTS you to phone the number and then you get charged a fortune fro doing so.
When I did a google searchon 0207, it comes up with a company that sells these numbers boasting that it gives the impression that you do business in London. It also sells on the following:

Instant reservation.
Huge range of standard and memorable gold numbers.
Established Telecoms Supplier - Now in its 10th year of trading.
Full web based control 24 hours a day.
FREE virtual switchboard FREE voicemail
Diverts to Mobiles.
Diverts to 180 countries.
Money Back Guarantee - full refund within 7 days - nothing to lose!

Has anyone else experienced this at all?
If not and it happens to you - BEWARE!

deb1home

Get your mother in law to register with BT's silent call service, its takes a couple of weeks to become active but does mean that she wont have these type of calls any more (we were getting at least one per week, but its all gone quiet now). Hope this helps

Paul_Saunders

Thanks for that Deb, having done a bit of searching, I didn't realise it was such a big problem.

hss

My mother (who is 82) keeps getting those automated phone calls, telling her shes won a holiday. She knows NOT to press any numbers they tell her to do. She is getting them nearly every day although she has been registered with TPS for years. I also complained to the Information Commissioners Office, Ofcom and ICSTIS, but they couldn't do anything.
I am just wondering if it might be connected with Paul's problem?

Heather from Loughton Essex

Paul_Saunders

My mother-in-law had another call today and this time the person spoke! He asked her if she would like to take part in a survey (probably a scam). I don't need to tell you the answer she gave! I also tried phoning the number but there was no reply.

Turning_into_scrooge

deb1home wrote:

Get your mother in law to register with BT's silent call service, its takes a couple of weeks to become active but does mean that she wont have these type of calls any more (we were getting at least one per week, but its all gone quiet now). Hope this helps

Thankyou for this info as i occasionally get silent calls too. Do you know if this works with choose to refuse?

pinkonion

Paul_Saunders wrote:

It starts off 0207 which is London. When I called this number the ring tone gave me the impression it was somewhere abroad so I immediately hung up as I thought this could be a scam whereby the person WANTS you to phone the number and then you get charged a fortune fro doing so.

Although the 0207 number could lead to a phone abroad you cannot be charged any more than calling any other London number for calling it.

The only numbers that can cost more start 00 - International ones various costs, 07 - mobiles and "personal" numbers 3p a min to 50p a min depending, 087 National rate 2p a min to 11p a min - and 09 premium rate anything 25p a min to £2 a min or more. 084 are around 1-4p a min

All costs mentioned are a guideline only!

ka7e

I've found the Telephone Preference Service has got rid of 100% of the silent calls and 99% of canvassing/sales calls. I also bought a phone with caller display and signed up for BT's caller ID service. My outgoing message states "Withheld numbers will not be picked up - please leave a message!". Most banks and big organisations do withhold their numbers, but a genuine caller will leave a message or call back.

ADAM001

my gran (84) is also getting hasseled by these automated calls,even changing number AND registering with TPS hasnt done any good,shame on you BT. whats the point in issuing another number only to let this happen again, im seriously considering getting her a mobile and ridding her of BT for good.

marymar77

you should get on the register with bt to stop all nussiance calls cant remember the no but if you get on to them will sort it out

Freebie_Hunter_2

Paul_Saunders wrote:

My mother-in-law had another call today and this time the person spoke! He asked her if she would like to take part in a survey (probably a scam). I don't need to tell you the answer she gave! I also tried phoning the number but there was no reply.

If the number is available on 1471 and someone asks you to take part in a survey, my betting is that it's simply market research. If it is then don't be rude, simply say 'no thankyou, please would you take my number off of your records' and politely wait for a response. They'll usually say thankyou and sorry for bothering you. I know as I get these calls regularly and it works. The operator will be grateful for someone being civil to them!

It IS annoying but unless someone gets persistent (even then you simply replace the reciever) you don't need to be nasty.

Silence can be explained by either automatic dialling (this is when a computer dials up 4 or 5 numbers and if someone picks up their phone before you it cuts off the remaining calls leaving the line silent, sometimes hearing a 'hang up' tone) or someone who hasn't got the hang of the phone system and either cannot pick up the call or has you on mute.