Call from Ofcom ... scam

sleepyjones

Just had an automated message on my landline purporting to be from Ofcom, something about hacking activity on my line so my internet account will be terminated.

This is a scam, it's one of the "Press 1 if you're with BT, press 2 if someone else" ... these will connect you to a premium rate number, so do not choose an option, just hang up.

mynellie

I got one too about 15 minutes ago with a Durham number put it down, Last week it was BT :rotfl:

sleepyjones

It kinda looked legit, I'm sure the number it came from was a local number (to me, same area code), that's why I picked it up ... might have even been my own number (I don't know my number, never use a landline).

I won't have even used that number for any competitions or anything ('cause I don't know the number) so it's not come from any competitions.

One-Eye

sleepyjones wrote: »

... these will connect you to a premium rate number

Urban myth. There is no way pressing a number during an incoming call can result in charges to you.
No one has EVER been able to show a phone bill with a charge for this.

The only exception is a call from 0800REVERSE, and it is made quite clear in the preamble that the call is of this type and accepting it will result in charges.

sleepyjones

I'm just going by what ofcom say

"This scam also involves recipients receiving a voicemail saying they have missed a call and encouraging them to press a button to call back – this connects them to the scammers.

The second type of call is automated, and can also be left as a voicemail message. In both cases, the recipient is told there is a problem with their phone or broadband service, and is encouraged to call back so they can discuss the issue further.

However, this results in the recipient being connected to a high-cost premium number, leaving them liable to pay a high cost for the length of the call."

But this could be in relation to a different type of call where you physically call them back.

One-Eye

sleepyjones wrote: »

But this could be in relation to a different type of call where you physically call them back.

That's the scam - If you make the call, you will pay for it.