Strange call from the 'telegram office'.

never_again_2 · 18 May 2009 at 6:52PM

Evening,

My Mum had a strange telephone call at the end of last week from a woman claiming to be calling regarding an ‘urgent telegram’ for my Mum’s next door neighbour. The woman asked for my Mum by first and surname and called on her home phone line, which is ex-directory. The woman asked for my Mum’s address, when my Mum asked why she needed it she replied that it was to confirm she lived next to the person she had a telegram for. My Mum asked for the address the telegram was for and the woman gave next door’s address. Then Mum asked for the person’s name and the woman refused to give it saying that it was confidential. Mum asked again who this person was calling from and she said ‘I’ve already told you, the telegram office’. Mum refused to confirm her address and the woman hung-up.

It all seems very odd. My Mum is sure she doesn’t owe any money (I’ve advised her to check her credit reports to double-check). I was wondering if anyone had heard of this before, or who it could be. If they managed to get her ex-directory number and knew her neighbours address, why would anyone need her to confirm her own address? Also if it is genuine and the ‘telegram office’ knew the neighbours name and address, why would they be calling the neighbours?

It sounds like DCA tactics to me, but just doesn't make sense.

Any thoughts?

RAS · 18 May 2009 at 6:55PM

Telogram are actually Capquest in disguise (A DCA and a bunch of scumbags in my humble opinion). I've had dealings with them in the past, first they claim to be this organisation called Telogram to try to get you to call them.
If that doesn't work they'll next write to you in their true colours as Capquest.

there is thread on here as the OFT are investigating this sort of tactic.

RAS · 18 May 2009 at 6:57PM

I will rephrase that, there are two threads http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1690437

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1652631

never_again_2 · 18 May 2009 at 7:01PM

Thanks RAS. I'll get her to check her credit-file and see if there is anything on there. Although I said that she is sure she doesn't owe any money, she has been pretty forgetful in the past, so it could be something catching up with her.

RAS · 18 May 2009 at 7:06PM

Hi

Your mother does not owe anything.

Crapquest are trying to get her to tell them if her neighbour has the same name as someone who may owe a debt (were crapquest are concerned a high proportion of the "debts" are unenforceable and they chase everyone with the same name). Obviously it is easier to get the information out of nneighbours and they hope the embaressment factor will persuade people to contact them if the debt belongs to them, or even if it does not.

Tell mum to report them to the OFt and Trading Standards as they are breaking the rules.

never_again_2 · 18 May 2009 at 7:13PM

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Do you know how they have got my mum's first name and surname, and her ex-directory telephone number? Can they access this on the electoral role? She's coming round in a bit so I'll let her know all this.

RAS · 18 May 2009 at 7:15PM

No idea about the phone which is one reason to make a formal complaint. They can use the electoral roll for names.

never_again_2 · 18 May 2009 at 7:17PM

thanks again.

RosaBernicia · 18 May 2009 at 7:50PM

Grrrr! :eek:

There is an opt-out section somewhere on the forms for the electoral roll where you can say you don't want your details made available. http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/faq/voting-and-registration/what-is-the-electoral-register

I don't know what the situation is with ex-directory, but just wondered if it might be worth your mum registering with the Telephone Preference Service in case they try again.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ "The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is the central opt out register on which you can record your preference not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls to your home or mobile telephone numbers. It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so."

That way she has definitely said she does not wish to receive any unsolicited calls. It's worked well for a few people I know in stopping marketing calls, and the few I had got off the phone very apologetically when I (frostily!) informed them that they shouldn't be calling me.

Good luck

Rosa x

Hoveringken · 15 January 2010 at 4:58PM

I have just had a phone call from The Telegram Office (0125 2576371) asking about a neighbour 'Peter' and his house number. There is a new bloke in the house who I don't know so couldn't help. Looking Telegram Office up on MSE and Google it looks like a really odd set up. Voice on the phone sounded South African (possibly Australian) from a UK phone number.:beer:

DVardysShadow · 15 January 2010 at 5:08PM

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/01252576371

Interesting

Strange call from the 'telegram office'.

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