Someone has just phoned me…

A friend of mine starts talking to them in her first language Welsh, they soon put the phone down!

I can’t remember to be honest; I don’t think they did. I was just so shocked that they mentioned my medical history. I was expecting the lady who offers me loft insulation or the one saying there had been unusual transactions on my bank account so it took me by surprise. I’ve just phoned Seasalt because an amazing mid season sale popped up on my iPad to verify that it isn’t actually their site and they are aware of it. Of course, if I report it to Facebook the will do nothing about it!

Just out of interest, MayBee, did the caller even address you by your name?

Most of the scam calls we get don't even have that basic piece of information. Like the recorded message ones claiming to be from Amazon, or "your bank". That should make alarm bells ring straight away, but unfortunately it is all too easy not to notice that in the heat of the moment

In fact I had a text message two days ago, supposedly from Royal Mail, about my parcel not being deliverable because the address label was missing, or something of the sort. As I had posted an important parcel only the day before- something that I very rarely do - my first thought was that it related to that. Luckily it struck me pretty quickly that not only did the text not mention my name, but that Royal Mail would not have any way of knowing my mobile phone number, not that they would have tried to contact me like that anyway!

I don’t answer the phone anymore,unless it is someone I know and I wait until they leave a message. If they don’t leave one, too bad. I always get these calls at a certain time of day , I think they must have a permanent dial enabled.

If I don’t recognise the number I leave it to ring. Apparently once you answer they mark it as a live line.

I have had phone calls about a pendant before. I asked whether they work outside the house and said I like climbing mountains so if I had a fall out trekking would it work? They said it would!!??

I just pretend to be foreign with very little English, they soon give up..🤓

Using a call blocker on your phone works a treat. The callers may keep trying over several days, but as soon as they hear the message on the blocker, they hang up. Genuine callers would leave a message.

The OP's call is a scam; the same as the Amazon, bank calls, local heating advisor, accident claim line, or any other cold caller, with any offer that you have no desire to buy/invest in/or give the time of day to. Ignore, or as others do, have a little amusing 5 minute fun.

I do not answer any number that I don't recognise. If it is important, they will leave a message.

I also always use 'who called me' website to check all and any number that calls me. They will tell you how often that number has been checked and what people say about it. It is a great way of finding out which number is suspect/to be avoided etc, and I can block the number.

Chances are your googled something health related and have your number on mailing lists so the two get tied and sold onto people who want to sell you something. So they just assume you must have a health condition if you are googling something. Or some.tiems talking about it online with friends or even verbally. Your phone microphone picks up key words and tailors Google ads.

sparkly1000

I recall a couple of years ago a similar discussion on GN on dealing with scammers/unwanted callers.
Their response :-

“Oh I’m so pleased that you called because I can’t wait to tell you all about Jesus”.

I’ve since tried it and it works a treat.

I remember that. I must remember it for next time it happens!

I recall a couple of years ago a similar discussion on GN on dealing with scammers/unwanted callers.
Their response :-

“Oh I’m so pleased that you called because I can’t wait to tell you all about Jesus”.

I’ve since tried it and it works a treat.

I agree its a chancer. It's like the ones about windows, or BT Internet having problems- or as in your case have health conditions - they have no info about you, but if they ring enough people they will find someone who believes they are genuine.

I always type in Who Called Me? in the search engine. That's if you have the number, and it will tell you if you need to ignore the call.

MayBee70

…and said because of my health conditions I am eligible for a free pendant thingy. I was furious. I asked who he was, what company her worked for, what his phone number was and what right had he got to access my health records. Also pointing out that I don’t have any health conditions. I can’t check the number in case it’s one of those that scam you out of money if you dial 1. Has anyone else had a call like this? So intrusive and worrying….

I had one of these calls and told the caller in no uncertain terms that I was perfectly healthy and if I ever did need a pendant alarm I wouldn't buy it from a chancer who cold called me!!

I love ferry22 answer. Hilarious! I would respond in exactly the same way. If they had the nerve to knock on my door they’d be afraid for their safety!!! 😂🤣

midgey

If you copy the the number into a search engine that may well help you find out if it’s a scam. I never phone 1471, that brings a cost.

Simply dialling 1471 to get the number of the last call received is completely free and there is only a charge if you use the 'dial back' option!

LisaP

Ooh I love scam callers. I let one guy talk to me about conservatories. He spent ages talking me through the process, the cost etc. I said was very interested… oh by the way (I said) I’m assuming that the fact that I live on the 19th floor makes no difference….
Beeeeeeeeep.

What you are describing is cold calling, not a scamcall. There's a big difference.

I got one of those calls. It was disconnected when I asked for his company details. Check the number on. ''Who called me" if you type the number in it will tell you if there are any issues with that particular number.

Vintagegirl

It might have been a genuine business 'cold call'. The 'free' pendant might have been an offer but then you are charged a weekly fee to have the system set up and monitored. My mother was charged £50 to replace her lost pendant. We suspect it went out in the newspaper recycling.

I-was just about to say much the same - I have one and am charged a quarterly fee, which has just gone up, for monitoring, and checkup phone calls, etc. The firm running this is vetted ,approved by our local council, and I was referred leaving hospital. It is also connected to the fire dept -which is very annoying as 4 burly firemen often turn up when I’ve burnt the toast!
I am lucky cos my sons take it in turn to pay the fee for me!

As someone else said, I use the website 'who called me.co.uk' to check unknown numbers - including local ones - before answering,

Yes I had one last week. I explained that I had just come home from work and was about to go out for a late afternoon jog.
I politely declined the offer!!

We never used to answer calls on the landline where we didn’t know the number but it has become more difficult now we are frequently awaiting hospital and GP calls as they often use mobile numbers.

LisaP I know one guy who did live in a flat but was inundated with callers wanting to sell him a conservatory not matter how many times he told them. In the end he arranged for them to come round which they did. Afterwards he was not troubled again.

If I'm feeling a little naughty, I often let them introduce themselves, I engage a little with a "right, I see" or similar, then I interrupt them and say "hang on just a second, there's someone at the door". I than put the phone down and go back to it about 5 minutes later. Invariably they've given up on me by then.