Accident spammers using DVLA phone number

uknick

Just wanted to post about a new (to me anyway) twist on spam motor accident calls.

Somebody claiming to be from DSA, now part of DVLA he says, calls. He wants to know about the no blame accident I had in the last 3 years so he could update my driving licence records. He says it was an accident involving a pedestrian. Complete news to me this. The only claim I’ve had in the last 3 years was when I reversed into a metal post.

I ask why DVLA are interested in this as I can’t see the connection. He says they’re reconciling their records against the MIB database.

As it is confidential information he wants I ask for his phone number so I can call him back. That way I’ll know who I’m actually speaking to. He gives me the number 0300 790 6801. I say I’ll call him back. However before I can hang up, he says he wants to confirm my postcode. He gives me one which is incorrect and I tell him so. He then hangs up.

I call the number he gave, which is actually DVLA and surprise, surprise it is a spam call. DVLA have no interest in me at all.

However, after speaking to DVLA I dialled 1471 on my phone. Instead of “last call withheld”, the usual message from the spammers, the DVLA number comes up.


Anybody else experienced this.

Joe_Horner

Apparently caller Id spoofing is getting more common:

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2014/01/don%E2%80%99t-get-spoofed-by-phone-number-scams/

AdrianC

With calls originating on VoIP connections, the outbound number always has to be set. Reputable providers require the number to be your own. Less reputable ones will be more flexible.

Joe_Horner

AdrianC wrote: »

Less reputable ones will be more flexible.

Even less reputable ones rovide call-forwarding services specifically to spoof the ID.

But it's currently breaking no laws unless it's done for fraud and they've come up with several (fairly far-fetched) "legit" reasons for offering the service.

Ofcom are investigating just as soon as they remember where they put their Polygrip.

harrys_dad

The real scam linked to this is that when you hang up they don't and your line is "blocked". You ring what you think is the number they gave you and they answer and say "DVLA" and you think they are genuine. I have not heard of this scam being used for DVLA calls but it has been used y people saying your bank card has been used illegally and pretending to be the police.

AdrianC

harrys_dad wrote: »

The real scam linked to this is that when you hang up they don't and your line is "blocked". You ring what you think is the number they gave you and they answer and say "DVLA" and you think they are genuine. I have not heard of this scam being used for DVLA calls but it has been used y people saying your bank card has been used illegally and pretending to be the police.

There's a very simple solution... Pick the phone up and check there's a dial tone before dialling.

Joe_Horner

AdrianC wrote: »

There's a very simple solution... Pick the phone up and check there's a dial tone before dialling.

True.

The trouble is, most (if not all) cordless phones allow you to dial then hit "talk" so you never hear the dial tone. Seeing as that's how you use a mobile, most people (certainly that I know) dial that way.

In fact, I was just explaining to my Mum (who's 79 and doesn't have a mobile) a couple of days ago that she could check for a dial tone by pressing "talk" first. If she didn't know, how many who've only ever used mobiles and cordless even know what a dial tone is?

Prothet_of_Doom

As I said on Pistonheads, if anyone phones you about anything, ask them to put it in writing to the address they have for you. And then sit back knowing they won't do that.

Whiner

AdrianC wrote: »

There's a very simple solution... Pick the phone up and check there's a dial tone before dialling.

For the life of me I can't see why anyone WOULDN'T do this.

Surely its common sense?!

forgotmyname

Except they can play a dial tone from a recording.

One of the real hustle shows did a similar thing. They even had a recording of a busy office in the background. But he was sitting in a van outside.