What is a Call Connection Service? (Be aware, and then avoid) 25 April 2017 at 2:30PM edited 24 December 2019 at 4:19PM in Phones & TV 14 replies 8.2K views

Ian011

Of all the fixed line services, ICSS generates the largest number of complaints to PSA. Some services tried to evade the existing regulations by swapping to 0870 numbers (failing to realise these came under PSA control on 1 July 2015) and then swapping to 084 numbers (once they did realise). This is why the regulations have been both extended to cover services operating on 084 numbers and further strengthened with amended and additional provisions.

Ian011

More people are fooled by this scam per week than have read this thread in the two and half years since it was first posted.

Indeed, it is estimated that at least thirty two thousand people are fooled by this scam every week (around 1.7 million people per year).

Ian011

The revised and updated Special Conditions for ICSS published by PSA came into effect today, 20 December 2019. The new rules apply to all such services irrespective of price point or prefix used. This means the new rules apply to services operating on premium rate numbers starting 084, 087 or 09, on mobile shortcodes, or on other prefixes.

https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2019/december/psa-strengthens-regulation-of-icss

Services operating in breach of the new rules should be reported to PSA for further action.

Ian011

Is this the perfect scam?

More than thirty two thousand victims per week.

Far fewer than one in ten thousand victims makes a complaint.

Hundreds of scammers active, some for more than five years.

PSA takes action against one or two per year.

Virtually none of the fines are paid. No-one has gone to jail.

Most people who are scammed don't even realise they have been scammed.