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Is this a scam from BT?

(21 Posts)
Grammaretto Thu 06-Sep-18 10:53:09

Every day this week the landline has rung and I pick up and say hello. A robot voice begins " this is the technical dept of BT.." then I hang up.
I presume it's a scam as I have not asked for a call and have paid my bill up to date.
Can anyone tell me what's going on?

Pagzy Thu 06-Sep-18 10:56:39

It's a scam

Nanagem Thu 06-Sep-18 10:57:06

Yes it’s a scam, we had it and like a fool I spoke you instantly get connected to a foreign sounding human who’s first words are “please can you confirm your name address and payment details”, I hung up and just ignored it since

glammanana Thu 06-Sep-18 11:00:22

We have had the same it is a scam I'm sure I always out the phone down its usually about tea time when they ring DD says its to get you off your guard when you are busy.

Grammaretto Thu 06-Sep-18 13:12:23

Thankyou. I assumed it was though it makes me very cross that BT allows this to happen in their name. Surely it can be prevented from preying on older folk. Or any folk.

wildswan16 Thu 06-Sep-18 13:36:13

It's annoying and very worrying for any older person who perhaps isn't as "clued up" about such scams.

Not sure what BT could do about it - these scams originate all over the world and affect every kind of utility company.

Elegran Thu 06-Sep-18 13:47:23

BT doesn't "allow it", Grammaretto, because no-one asked their permission. It is being done by the same scammers who phone you to say that they are your bank, or that they have heard that you had a car accident, or that thay are from Microsoft to tell you that your computer has been hacked. They are phoning from a thousand different phone numbers, changing as soon as they think they might have been traced. BT and all the other firms whose names have been taken in vain, and a lot of scam-detection firms, are trying hard to keep up with the villains. You can help by informing BT and any other organisation of these scam calls.

BlueBelle Thu 06-Sep-18 13:50:04

It’s rampant at the moment I ve had a lot of then over the last few days

annsixty Thu 06-Sep-18 14:33:30

Mine this week have started with Dear British Citizen ,then rambled on to get in touch with our fraud dept.

winterwhite Thu 06-Sep-18 16:57:54

We've had this too - three times this week, always at the same time of day. They tell us that our internet is not 'secure'. Dialling 1471 after the call produces nothing.

Grammaretto Thu 06-Sep-18 18:15:30

Ok. I will tell BT. Thanks everyone. In a funny way it's good to know it's not just me being targeted. GN is great!

Caledonai14 Fri 07-Sep-18 11:00:57

We were with BT for internet access (had always been with them for phone) for a year and had all sorts of problems with ridiculous things like emails vanishing into thin air. I was constantly speaking to them on official helplines and chat.

I started to notice that any time I was speaking to BT in Asia, I would get a scam call from somebody as well as the official callback. As BT - the real one - always have to check details even if they phone you, it became a challenge to sort out who was who.

I started reporting the "coincidence" to BT and they took action, but it definitely seemed like someone externally was able to tell when I had contacted them which increased the likelihood that I would give out details to the wrong people.

We left BT after a year and have had none of the problems with the new supplier.....however, the scammers still buzz us occasionally from abroad.

I am heart sorry for anyone who is plagued by phone scams. If you are stuck in the house it is wearing and interruptive, particularly if you have to answer because somebody you love is ill or relies upon you answering.

MiniMoon Fri 07-Sep-18 12:09:03

I've got a number blocker by my phone. Yesterday I had 4 calls, supposedly from Talk talk, telling me in an automated voice that my internet would be cut off in 24 hours. Each call was from a different number, and I blocked them all.
They are an absolute nuisance.

Grammaretto Fri 07-Sep-18 12:52:00

Like some of you. I keep a landline and our number in the phonebook etc
I have reverted to a corded phone without caller ID because I got a sore ear with the separate handset. I still don't know why but it was a real thing.
With elderly parents who can't use a mobile phone, and AC living abroad I cannot leave a call unanswered despite 1571.
Thus it's a sprint into the kitchen whenever the phone rings. Keeps me fit.wink

Maggiemaybe Fri 07-Sep-18 13:33:37

I’m surprised to hear that people are having problems with BT, as since they introduced their Call Protect service we’ve had hardly any unwanted calls. It’s one of the reasons I stick with them despite the higher prices.

henetha Fri 07-Sep-18 13:55:13

I had a call a few days ago from a lady with a sing-song voice saying she was from BT. She said someone else is using my details for betting on horses. Then she said she could help me cure it if I would switch my pc on and she would talk me through what to do. Alarm bells started to ring in my head as she was very persistent, so I put on my little old lady voice and told I didn't feel well enough to do it now, so goodbye. I then put the phone down and switched on the answerphone in case she rang again.
I hope I did the right thing. But I feel sure it was a scam.

Nonnie Fri 07-Sep-18 13:58:13

We block each one of these but they still keep coming. I wonder if they call in the daytime because they think older and less suspicious are at home.

Had a caller doing the roof of someone a couple of miles away saying he was 'in the area' and would do our roof . I explained that we had moved in recently and our surveyor hadn't found a problem. He then said he would do the soffits and I said that when I wanted them done I would book someone who hadn't come to the door. He got stroppy and said if I didn't want people to call I should put a note on the front door. I thanked him politely and closed the door. I felt he was looking for elderly gullible people. Presumably some people do buy from such people or they wouldn't keep trying.

Maggiemaybe Sat 08-Sep-18 15:52:41

Oh, soffits! grin To be honest I didn’t know what they were till a (fairly) local firm rang, said they’d been on our street and noticed ours needed attention. She was a horrible woman - gave me the creeps, in fact - and persisted to the extent of saying she’d be calling round to discuss the quote, whether I wanted one or not! shock Of course they never came, but I reported the call and the attitude to the TPS. I was delighted to see a few months later that this firm had been handed a massive fine for their intimidating marketing practices. I’m sure I was far from the only complainant, but it gave me a rosy glow to be part of it!

Melanieeastanglia Sat 08-Sep-18 15:56:43

It's a scam.

Grammaretto Sat 08-Sep-18 18:23:49

henetha you definitely did the right thing. I get very upset by these predators especially as we have even older aged parents who also get plagued.
I tell myself I didn't phone them so the call was unsolicited, then I feel no guilt when I hang up.

Jane10 Sun 09-Dec-18 10:15:35

We've been getting automated calls from 'International cyber security' recently to say that our Internet IP had been compromised and Internet access would be disconnected. The voice went on to say that our router would be replaced free of charge and to press 1 to be connected to a technician. No chance!