Fake ISP phone call scam

Spelunthus

Don't reply. If you have answering machine, a legitimate caller will leave a message. A scammer will generally hang up. The automated callers will hang up.

Every time you answer these calls, your number is favoured for MORE CALLS. I know it's tempting to shout, laugh, argue, whistle at them, but this action will generate MORE CALLS because you are identifying as a live number.

An answering machine costs them money, because they pay for the answered call, but it generates them no revenue. This is your best action. Don't reply to scammers.

Takmon

Morbier wrote: »

I'd do that if I could but we hardly use the land line so we only have a basic package, no call identifier, no message-leaving option, no blocking facility. As this is the first such call I've had in about two years, I shan't worry too much. We are registered with the TPS which helps. I just take the attitude of not believing anyone who rings on that number as I don't generally give it out. I just wanted people to be aware of the scam, which, it seems, you all are!

If your phone supports it then caller ID is free so you might as well have it.

DoaM

Takmon wrote: »

If your phone supports it then caller ID is free so you might as well have it.

Correct - as of 1st October 2018 the phone providers became obliged to provide Caller ID free.

Morbier

Takmon wrote: »

If your phone supports it then caller ID is free so you might as well have it.

Thank you, I didn't know that. Useful to know.

SevenOfNine

BT don't provide caller ID free, though our phone supports the facility, we'd have to pay for it as an added extra. I'll double check.

I block all these scam numbers but lately they just keep on coming. I usually refuse to confirm my name, inform the caller I won't be pressing anything on my phone keypad & certainly won't be giving them remote access to my computer.

The latest one today, a new one on me, was an Indian accented "Alan from the Call Blocking Department". Wanted to know if I was still receiving junk calls, I told him I was but not to worry, I'd be adding his number to my blocked list.

oldagetraveller

"BT don't provide caller ID free, though our phone supports the facility, we'd have to pay for it as an added extra."
As already mentioned, it is now.



From BT.
"How much does it cost?

Caller Display is free for all of our customers."

SevenOfNine

oldagetraveller wrote: »

From BT.
"How much does it cost?

Caller Display is free for all of our customers."

I remember this now, noted on my August invoice after on-line chat. Was told "it will initially be free for 12 months then £1.75 per month", decided I wouldn't be paying that so didn't bother.

Thanks though, because it definitely doesn't seem to indicate it's only free temporarily on their website. :beer:

AndyPix

Deleted User wrote: »

Best way to deal with these scammers is I blow a whistle down the phone with every ounce of strength I have. Much more satisfying than swearing at them.

This makes me chuckle ..


You do realise that the sound coming out of the other end can only be as loud as the little speaker in the phone handset right :huh:


Do you also think that you can damage your eyes by looking directly at the sun in a film ??
And do you turn away from the telly if someone is welding incase you get a flash ??

DoaM

SevenOfNine wrote: »

I remember this now, noted on my August invoice after on-line chat. Was told "it will initially be free for 12 months then £1.75 per month", decided I wouldn't be paying that so didn't bother.

Thanks though, because it definitely doesn't seem to indicate it's only free temporarily on their website. :beer:

It's free; not on a contract term basis, but free. It's been legally mandated on all Telecoms companies.

Puflet

I really look forward to these calls; my life was made immeasurably richer when I realised you can download mp3 clips of sound effects, and just keep them on your desktop. I have a collection, including chimpanzee screams, someone snoring very loudly, walking along a very long echoey corridor etc etc.

One time they told me to turn on my computer. I played them a clip of artillery fire, ending with a huge explosion. I told them my computer had blown up. They asked if my internet was working. I didn't know because my computer was in little pieces all over the floor. Pause from the other end. "Don't worry, we'll carry on working on it".

I just love them. The recorded messages are a bit of a copout though.