Help - over 4000 calls made from landline (which I don't use)

Spreadsheet_Geek

Hey,

I'm hoping someone can help me a bit...on behalf of my Dad!

So, this is a small business which has a phone, landline and broadband all through a large well-known supplier (not trying to hide who they are but can't be doing with the respresentatives telling me to contact them to resolve the issue - they've been no help so far!).

Anyway, got the quarterly bill for the FAX line a couple of weeks ago and it showed that over 4000 calls were made from this line to two 0871 numbers. One number would be called up to 10 times then the other number once before repeating. The calls were made over only about 6-8 days (not consecutive), lots just 2 minutes apart from each other and sometimes for a 24+ hr period throughout the day and night. All charged at 9p per call. So a BIG bill!

So, these calls/faxes weren't made by us (it's an all-in-one printer and no phone attached). We use for incoming faxes only.

The provider has investigated and come to the conclusion that the calls are legitimate and are now demanding the payment and the police are not interested (we thought it could be some sort of fraud/scam).

I have tried to find out who the numbers belong to without success...I don't want to call the numbers in case it ends up trying to do something to my own phone!

Anyone know what I could possibly do to even find out the owner of the 0871 numbers or what steps should be taken next? Is it a complaint to Ofcom?

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Calfuray

What are the numbers?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Just some random thoughts...

• You say the fax machine is intended to be receive-only. With faxes, is there any mechanism for a sender to request a confirmation of receipt? Maybe your machine is trying to comply?

• Could your machine be trying to check for software updates? Maybe it's calling the manufacturer.

• Is it trying to transmit statistics to the manufacturer?

Dogger69

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Just some random thoughts...

• You say the fax machine is intended to be receive-only. With faxes, is there any mechanism for a sender to request a confirmation of receipt? Maybe your machine is trying to comply?

• Could your machine be trying to check for software updates? Maybe it's calling the manufacturer.

• Is it trying to transmit statistics to the manufacturer?

Excellent suggestions here.

What you describe does sound like a fax trying to do something, I've seen it happen before.

Spreadsheet_Geek

calfuray wrote: »

what are the numbers?

0871 246 0054/0055

Spreadsheet_Geek

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Just some random thoughts...

• You say the fax machine is intended to be receive-only. With faxes, is there any mechanism for a sender to request a confirmation of receipt? Maybe your machine is trying to comply?

• Could your machine be trying to check for software updates? Maybe it's calling the manufacturer.

• Is it trying to transmit statistics to the manufacturer?

No idea if it could be either of these but I will check the sender's of faxes (there's only 1 it could be) and call the manufacturer tomorrow.

Thanks for the suggestions!

wantmemoney

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08712460052

ed
27 Feb 2012

I also have St john's security, and last month had 72 calls logged to 0871 246 0052 and 34 calls logged to 0871 246 0053, at 17p a time. Not enough to break the bank, but a problem to resolve.
st john's says it is due to fluctuations on the line, and every time there is a fluctuation the line treats it as being down, and reconnects. I'm not sure where the responsibilty lies - with St John's, with the phone line, or even with the electricity supply.
Nor do I know if there is a consumer body I can go to to get redress.
any ideas as to which utility might be responsible for this?

and another alarm company mentioned
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08712460072

have you got an alarm that checks out?

OldGreyFox

It definitely sounds like an alarm calling out.

0871 numbers are now the responsibilty of http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/ and any complaints are now dealt with by them.

If he does use a Saint John Security alarm system i would be on their case as these are revenue sharing numbers and they would benefitting financially from the calls.

Spreadsheet_Geek

wantmemoney wrote: »

have you got an alarm that checks out?

There's no security alarm however there's a fire alarm which is connected to 11 seperate units and is connected to the fire station and we get called by a security company of some sort to get us out there.

I will look in to this now...could be what I've been looking for.

Definitely know it's not to do with the printer now though.

Buzby

It will not be connected to the fire station - this was outlawed a long time ago, it will be to your supplier's Security Centre. If they are like ADT, it will be part of their T&C's, but it does look as though you need to complain to them. BT however, will insist that you make full payment for the calls made by your equipment.

Important questions to ask the alarm co:

1 - when was your system modified to call out on the 0871 number?
2 - does the system 'call home' for any reason outwith an alarm activation?
3 - what notification was given as to the change of call routing?