I’ve had one of those in the past, but it was at a more reasonable hour than your call, Frazz. I let him waffle on and then informed him that I was no longer with BT for my landline, nor had I ever had BT for my broadband. He hung up. Funny that. 😳
My elderly neighbours have fallen foul of the bank account scammers, I don't know the details but it sounds like it's the 'transfer your money into this account for safety' one and then they send a plain clothes policeman to collect the bank card and PIN. They're in their 90's, I hope the scammers parents are really proud of what they do!
People who are wrong are just as sure they're right as people who are right, the only difference is they're wrong
I haven't actually seen them, I've just been told a bit of what's happened by my next door neighbours it's a dreadful thing to happen to anyone but to target people in their 90's is absolutely despicable. The police have been there Thursday and Friday and are checking CCTV camera's so that might help identify whoever picked up the bank card but I doubt it'll get those further up the scammers food chain
People who are wrong are just as sure they're right as people who are right, the only difference is they're wrong
It's so sad and unforgivable when it happens to elderly people. It's so unlikely they haven't been warned regularly to be careful by family and friends. not to mention the bank. I think that when it actually does happen they get lost in the moment and forget everything they have beene told to do. My sister has been tricked a couple of times despite being nagged by her daughter and others. Once via the phone, once being distracted and her purse stolen while she was shopping. Fortunately, she doesn't bank or shop online.
I have always wondered how the scammers target mainly the elderly - one cannot ascertain age by a phone number or address. The sceptic in me think maybe ‘insider’ info could play a part, as the banks themselves have all the details.
Hopefully your neighbours will be reimbursed by their Bank DD.
I’ve been recording a morning program called “Scam Interceptors.”
A legal hacker with the BBC is accessing call centres in India and visually monitoring their computers and systems. They notice someone who is being scammed, monitor the scammers screen and try to contact the victim before it’s too late. It starts with a fraudster elsewhere launching a list of phone numbers, about a thousand numbers, and the scammers then wait for people to fall victim.
What was really interesting was, once they realise they are sussed, or the victim’s bank account doesn’t have enough money to bother, they hang up and the victims number is marked “Do not call.” I would be fairly certain that this means the next time a batch of number launches, the computer knows to ignore any marked numbers.
This got me wondering if this is why I get so few calls now, or emails. I always answer calls, mainly so I can divert the automated ones. If I’m feeling naughty I play along with the scammers until I get bored, and I always inform them I know who they are.
I’ve put it to the test today. Not had a Virgin Media one before, so told the woman in the call centre (obvious from background noise) they were shysters and should “go away.”
I’ve put it to the test today. Not had a Virgin Media one before, so told the woman in the call centre (obvious from background noise) they were shysters and should “go away.”
Good work Frazz!
Obviously Virgin Media are shysters (of the first order) whether they be scamming or not, so either way your reply was valid.
What amazes me is the number of people, of all ages, still falling for it. There are enough warnings from agencies, banks, adverts etc, not to mention friends and family. I felt a bit sorry for the Reverend today, he had only only just been speaking to Amazon about Prime 15 mintes earlier, and thought they were ringing him back
I’ve watched it as well. I’ve probably missed loads of important calls though because, as I’m ex-directory, I pick the phone up and say nothing and they usually put the phone down. The family and close friends get answered though because we use a code so I know they’re not scammers. On my mobile I also answer and say nothing and then block them. Anyone I want to talk to is in my contacts’ list and so their name comes up on the screen.
Having had idiots waffling on at me about renewing this, that and the other when I don’t own the item (eg: BT broadband) have made me intolerant to taking calls from people I don’t know. I’ve got better things to do with my time and I don’t want to be another one on the list of the poor devils who have been “snared.”