Warning over Notts phone line fraud
FRAUDSTERS are conning Notts residents into giving them their bank details by threatening to cut off their phone line.
Notts Police and BT say people in the county should be on their guard about a scam that has been seen across the country.
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Notts Police warning over phone line fraud
Fraudsters, pretending to be from various phone companies, have been calling people and claiming there is an outstanding bill.
They threaten to disconnect the phone line immediately if the bill is not paid straight away by credit or debit card.
Worried about having their line cut off, some people have been persuaded into giving the fraudsters their bank account details.
In Notts, a member of the county's Neighbourhood Watch scheme was called but refused to give out their details.
A Notts Police spokesman said: "This has been taking place in various locations across the country and now seems to have made its way to Notts.
"Everyone should remember that they should never give out any personal or bank details over the phone."
A BT spokesman said: "While BT does have debt handling procedures which may involve calling customers, BT never carries out disconnections during the call by way of proof.
"We advise customers never to give out any banking details over the phone unless they are absolutely certain who they are dealing with."
Real BT workers can give customers their employee ID number and an 0800 number to call to check their identity.
They can also carry out a check by calling 0800 800150.
Anyone who thinks they have been the victim of this scam should call Notts Police on 0300 3009999.
5 Comments
by michael jackson, neverland
Thursday, September 10 2009, 9:24PM
“Actually, he's muddied the waters.
What the letter said was that the writer was wondering whether they had:
"found the country's most expensive toilet?
Male and females had to part with 40p to 'spend a penny' on the bus station at York."
Then they reconsidered and decided that:
On second thoughts, I do believe that to use one of the Dr Who-type toilets (similar to the Daleks) the price asked was £1 per person.
ie a completely different toilet.
.
Oh, and while it might not have a big building with a sign over it saying "Bus Station":
There is a place where the coaches and many of the buses terminate.
.
But it's good to know that there are so few letters being received by the Post pointing out blatant errors in published content.
And so many important but overlooked topics for investigation.
That they have to pad out the Letters page with such contributions.
. Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
a little toilet humour”
by MT, Nottingham
Thursday, September 10 2009, 8:05PM
“When will people learn?
"A fool and their money are quickly parted" I think the phrase goes.”
by simon, Mapperley
Thursday, September 10 2009, 5:47PM
“Oh btw boys see u all in NG1 later x x”
by simon, Mapperley
Thursday, September 10 2009, 5:07PM
“Poo Stick there are a lot of thick people about but there are also a lot of old people who grew up in more trusting times and are easily scared by scum using conning tactics like this scam. They panic at the thought of being cut off and give their details out without querying it as a younger person would.”
by Poo Stick, Dustbin
Thursday, September 10 2009, 4:44PM
“Who is thick enough to give their bank details to anyone who rings them anyway. Companies which have your bank details on file, do not need to ask for them do they? The people being duped, should not have a phone or even a letterbox as they are going to get scammed either way”