TIM DREW: Beware of new telephone scam

Another telephone scam has surfaced with fraudsters, purporting to work for BT, calling residents and threatening to disconnect them because of an unpaid bill.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jan 2016, 15:00 BST

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Tim DrewTim Drew
Tim Drew

In one instance, the fraudster demanded immediate payment of £31 by credit card, or he would disconnect his would-be victim’s phone and it would cost £118 to re-connect.

He gave the name of John Peacock and also his contact number (0800 0800 152) which turned out to be bogus.

He spoke with a strong African accent.

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He then offered to demonstrate that he was from BT by telling the target to hang up and try phoning someone – he would prevent this by disconnecting the phone.

His actions resulted in the line going dead, when he called the target again and demanded payment by credit card.

Fortunately, the target would have none of this, but told the fraudster that he had absolutely no intention of paying him, and a few other things besides.

The fraudster had cut off the line by staying on the line with the mute button on after the target replaced his phone so that, when he then tried to dial out, the fraudster could hear him trying.

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He called back when he thought that the target had given up.

Please remember that the person who initiates a call is the one who terminates it.

Please also remember that the objective of this scam is to obtain your credit card details, including the security number.

The Heene Neighbourhood Panel meets at the Heene Community Centre between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday, January 26.

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On Wednesday, January 27, PCSOs Dan Cobden, Gary Morgan and Chloe Curtis host surgeries at the Durrington Community Centre, New Road, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

The Central Ward Neighbourhood Panel meets at the Ardington Hotel, Steyne Gardens, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, January 28.

PCSO Ed Mitchell’s surgery takes place at 2-2a Broadwater Street between 10am and 10.30am on Friday, January 29.

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