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Phone scam prank?

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gibbo110

Technical User
Apr 10, 2003
5
GB
Recieved this in an e-mail from Mangement...

"Colleagues,
Please be advised that the warning below seems to be genuine - apparently BT have confirmed that they are aware of the details and are investigating.

The scam relates to home and/or work phones (including mobiles).
The scenario is:- Your phone rings and you receive a recorded message;
"Congratulations. We are calling to advise you that you have won an all expenses paid trip to an exotic destination. Please press 9 now to hear further details."

If you press 9, you'll be connected to a premium line that bills in the region of £20 per minute.
If you press 9 and connect, even if you disconnect immediately, the other end will stay connected for a minimum of 5 minutes - at a cost to you of £100 - the message lasts for 11 minutes.

The final part of the call asks you to key in your postcode and house number (which has other serious considerations) and then, after a wait of a further two minutes, responds with the message;

"Sorry, you are not one of the lucky winners." and disconnects, adding a further £260 to your bill!
Unfortunately the calls are originating from outside the U.K. and as such BT and other providers are relatively powerless to act.

The only safe solution is to hang up before the message prompts you to press 9.

Best Regards
"

Sounds to me like a prank or spam. But I would like to confirm this before I dismiss it entireley.

Anyone else here of this?

 
it kind of sounds like a "Variation" the Scam that we Have in the US about the "809" area code, IF you type in "scam & phone" in any number of search engines you will see . . . in general you don't stay in business for vary long by giving away the farm legitimately that is. .
 
These scams come along all the time, Use your Caller ID on your cell and other phones and simply don't answer any calls you don't know and you will never have any problems.
 
Cheers for confirmation people. Much appreciated :)
 
Biggest indication that it is a hoax is:

"Please be advised that the warning below seems to be genuine..."

Aslo the UK does not have any premium lines at the moment that bill higher than £1.50 a minute. Although there are talks for a £5/minute.

PD-S

 
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