Telecure - Telephone Preference Service Scam

trf1960

Honestly, sometimes I could just slap myself !! I have just taken a call from a company called TULIP COMMUNICATIONS who said they were calling on behalf of the Telephone Preference Service. Now I did register with the TPS about 3 or so years ago so it was something I recalled. Now before I continue, around the same time and before I had heard of the TPS, I had registered with another 'nuisance calls' type company where a payment was required of around £35 which I paid and coincidentally, was renewed about 3 months ago. I have no problems with this other company by the way.

Anyway, the call this evening reiterated the service from TPS and he stated that "the charge of £49 which I agreed to three months ago was now due and he was calling to confirm payment details". He confirmed my full name and address and then asked me to confirm my payment details again. I thought this was strange and queried this but have to admit, they have the 'confusing' patter down to an art form to the point where I couldn't remember if I had made payment or not so when he asked me for my card details and said the first four characters, I gave him the full card number and expiry date. It was only when he then asked for the CVV that I eventually put brain into gear and realised something was not right. I started to ask him questions about the company name, address and laughed when he said he was calling from London when it was so obvious it was a long distance call from India. I forgot to mention that by now I had been passed from the original caller, to his line manager and eventually to the "Accounts Manager" as confirmation that this call was kosher. I put the phone down and went online to check the TPS website and of course there is states that it is a FREE service!

I feel sick with myself that I came so close to giving them my full card details but am now stressing out that they could take a payment - is this possible without having the CVV code? As usual, my Bank is closed until Monday by which time I will be checking my account continuously and will get my debit card stopped first thing Monday morning.

It just made me realise yet again how easy one can get scammed and conned and I consider myself a somewhat intelligent person so its no wonder that the elderly get so easily taken in with these disgusting individuals.

I just hope whoever reads this is made aware that this scam is obviously very much doing the rounds at present so be very wary and remember to NOT ever give your bank details over the phone. :mad:

hollydays

If you search the boards, there has recently been another post about tulip communications and many others and this scam is obviously an under reported problem.
This scam seems to be prevalent at the moment, it seems to get called the" bogus tps scam", particularly unpleasant when the elderly are involved.
See https://www.thinkjessica.com a charity
It must be reported to the police via https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
Avoid giving it a name like " fraud" as who knows what the law is that's being broken, but the police need to take this seriously.

brightonman123

I once worked for a telephone provider. shocked at how many customers called to say they've been suckered into buying a callblocker box, for a 'one off fee' - implies caller display is included, which is NOT.

some providers charge for this feature, on your phone line.

I think there's a BT handset out, with built in callblock option (still needs C/D though)

here- maybe others too.. BT6500
http://www.shop.bt.com/articles/promotionsandpressreleases/products/latest-range-from-bt-10541.html

zagfles

trf1960 wrote: »

As usual, my Bank is closed until Monday by which time I will be checking my account continuously and will get my debit card stopped first thing Monday morning.

You bank will have a 24/7 hour lost/stolen line, give them a ring now you can also report this sort of fruad.

hollydays

Gabbygolfer wrote: »

If you have read all the posts previous to this, all of this has happened to me but, I am being really harassed by these people, getting 2 or 3 calls per day. They are very threatening saying they will take all my money. I tell them to go ahead. They have so much brass neck. I rang the police who said that as no money had been taken they had not committed a crime, please tell everyone you know and warn them.

Did you speak to a police officer or a call handler? Did they take details?

trf1960

Sorry for not getting back sooner. I did speak to the fraud department of my bank who took their details down but more importantly put my mind at rest by saying that the scammers wouldn't be able to 'use' my details as they didn't have the CVV code but I cancelled the card anyway and have since received a replacement.

This has so shocked me at how someone even mildly intelligent could get suckered into these scams. :mad:

rovinia

The 81 years old MIL has had a call from them today, and fell for it. She has cancelled her card and I have advised she goes to her bank to check what to do and report them. I have registered her with TPS ages ago and told her to put a sign on her phone with instructions what to say. These fraudsters will keep on doing this if they get away with it.

DCFC79

rovinia wrote: »

The 81 years old MIL has had a call from them today, and fell for it. She has cancelled her card and I have advised she goes to her bank to check what to do and report them. I have registered her with TPS ages ago and told her to put a sign on her phone with instructions what to say. These fraudsters will keep on doing this if they get away with it.

Cancelling the card might not even work but the bank will tell her if it has/hasn't worked.

bm4661

Are these people the same as Telecom Protection Services. My elderly MIL also paid £79.99 after a cold call and nothing has arrived. Also based in Bognor Regis

Whoarethey

Any one heard of an organisation by the name of The Call Prevention Service calling elderly people, in their mid 80's, advising that they have been subscribing to their organisation for 2 years and are able to offer a discounted service, however, they need to verify the bank details and could they provide them for checking.
Luckily, they did not and ended the call, they immediately called their bank afterwards confirming that no payments had ever been taken for this company.
Apparently, TPS (Telephone Prevention Service) have this company marked as dubious, but there are a number of CPS websites saying differently and other forums, including this one, claiming that this is a legitimate organisation.
Any help.