Topic ID 4173
Just had a strange phone call at 8pm this evening from a man with an Indian accent who asked me if I had received a copy of an East Herts Newspaper or Newsletter. When I said no he asked me if my address was some strange address I have never heard of. I told him it wasn't and he asked me for my address. I refused to give it to him and he put the phone down. I dialled 1471 and the number was either withheld or a switchboard. Does this sound like a strange scam? Has anyone else had a call?
Reply ID 60559
Can I suggest that you get a caller identification phone and save yourself the bother of questioning the authenticity? It's obviously a scammer Manaton, possibly checking if you are home tonight so the chances are that you will be away tomorrow during the day. Databases are being sold with name, address and phone number these days, thanks to the internet, so he probably knows your address already. Get Caller ID - saves a lot of hassle as you just ignore the call if you don't recognise the number and they move on to the next 'potential'.
Reply ID 60561
Caller ID wouldn't help him as the caller withheld the number. Databases with names, addresses and telephone numbers aren't a new phenomenon. BT (and the post office before that) have been producing this information free of charge for over 100 years.
Reply ID 60562
I'll reiterate John Smith - If you don't recognise the number or if there isn't one shown, don't answer the call. Simple.
Reply ID 60563
And what if his mum has her phone set up to withhold her number?
Reply ID 60566
There you go Manaton, I knew I'd drag the information out of him! Basically, of you have anyone you know that withholds their number, they can dial 1470 before they dial your number to pass their number over the telephone network.
Reply ID 60593
Just thinking out loud to myself !!!! but could this not be a legitimate method of checking whether or not the 'free' newspapers had been delivered recently. Can't see any other way to find out whether people/kids paid to deliver them had in fact done so, or just popped them into nearest skip and gone home !! On the other hand - yes, it probably was a potential axe murderer
Reply ID 60598
My phone has a caller ID display & answer phone. I have made it a habit not to answer any withheld or unknown numbers. My thought being that if the call is relevant to me and is important they will leave a message. The only exception to this is when I am expecting a call from say a doctors or hospital when the number is liable to originate from a switchboard and therefore may well display as a private or withheld No. I have also registered with the Telephone preference service (which is free). This resulted in a rapid reduced in the number of junk/cold calls. Your call does sound like a scam. I have been approached twice in the last 8 years to check if I was receiving free papers (Herald & Star) but only by Knocking on my door and never by phone.
Reply ID 60602
Just for the record, we don't have caller ID but I would still have anwered the phone if I did as someone may genuinely have needed to speak to me. Many companies withhold their numbers or have switchboards so the number does not show, even hospitals. I am not sure how not answering the phone would have made me less vulnerable to scam but I wanted to ask other people if the same had happened to them and make them aware that there was this strange phone call. It could have been genuine but when the guy on the other end told me my address it sounded like it had been made up - he said number 16 or 18 something drive. I don't know anywhere like that where I live so I refused to give him my address when he asked for it. The moral of the story is not to give out any personal info over the phone unless you are really sure who you are speaking to. Btw we are ex directory so I would hope they could not have got our number from a database.
Reply ID 60610
quote:This is indeed something I've had before. I'm sure you could have given the street name rather than specific house to be of legitimate use to them.
Originally posted by Ron Kords
but could this not be a legitimate method of checking whether or not the 'free' newspapers had been delivered recently.
Reply ID 60617
quote:I too have had that call but the caller clearly identified themselves and asked for no info other than if the free paper was regularly delivered. (I'm not XD).
Originally posted by mr_timquote:This is indeed something I've had before. I'm sure you could have given the street name rather than specific house to be of legitimate use to them.
Originally posted by Ron Kords
but could this not be a legitimate method of checking whether or not the 'free' newspapers had been delivered recently.
Reply ID 60636
When we moved and got a new phone service with BT we were offered something called TPS as a free service and this has meant that our home number is excluded from the junk mail caller lists and if we ever do get the odd one that gets through the net as soonas we mention TPS they put the phone down have a look at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
Reply ID 60644
HCC do complete surveys to make sure that the local publications get to all houses. One of the ways is emailing all employees and asking for postcodes of people who don't receive it.
Reply ID 60650
quote:We regularly get called from the Herald to see if the paper is being delivered; and they then confirm our address. Last time was about a week ago. This is despite being registered with TPS for about 5 years, and asking them not to call (normally about 7.30pm when we are trying to settle our daughter). Mind you, we don't get the Herald and I told them I was pleased as I only put it in the recycling bin. To be honest, doesn't sound like a scam to me, but I think your caller must have got his addresses confused. TPS has cut the dodgy calls, but some still get through, as they are often automated and just run through numbers until someone answers. It's a nightmare trying to get the phone number that they rang from to actually be able to report to TPS as most are withheld; however I answer it to stop the phone ringing while my daughter is asleep. At least caller ID gives you an idea it might be a scam, particularly if it comes up 'Out of Area'.. there's a good video on You Tube when the receiver just answers 'Yes' to every question to the great annoyance of the caller; I might try that one next time [:p]
Originally posted by Eyeone
I have been approached twice in the last 8 years to check if I was receiving free papers (Herald & Star) but only by Knocking on my door and never by phone.
Reply ID 60659
quote:That made me laugh out loud...and I agree [^]
Originally posted by Ron Kords
Just thinking out loud to myself !!!! but could this not be a legitimate method of checking whether or not the 'free' newspapers had been delivered recently. Can't see any other way to find out whether people/kids paid to deliver them had in fact done so, or just popped them into nearest skip and gone home !! On the other hand - yes, it probably was a potential axe murderer
Reply ID 60667
I have found that re-registering my number with TPS every 12 months or so helps keep these callers at bay.
Reply ID 60669
We are registerd with TPS and it works very well. However it will not stop calls originating overseas. Also TPS are not interested in reports of problesm, they will add you to their register but appear not to do any policing of the register. However mentioning TPS quickly shuts up any that do sneak through, as does getting children to answer the phone and shouting out, "oi there's a nutter on the phone asking for you"
Reply ID 60671
The only problem with the TPS is that it will only stop calls from companies who appreciate that people on the list do not wish to be disturbed by cold calls. Most large companies probably abide by this but having said that we still receive the occasional call from a large national double glazing company. And of course this will not stop scam calls.
Reply ID 60672
quote:Calling TPS registered numbers is actually illegal and is addressed by The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003. However, as previously mentioned, it does not cover callers from overseas or crooks.
Originally posted by Eyeone
The only problem with the TPS is that it will only stop calls from companies who appreciate that people on the list do not wish to be disturbed by cold calls. Most large companies probably abide by this but having said that we still receive the occasional call from a large national double glazing company. And of course this will not stop scam calls.
Reply ID 60674
Steve, does that mean that the onus is on the caller to check if you are registered with the TPS before calling?
Reply ID 62375
I often receive marketing calls at work which is a great annoyance. However, I recently hit on the solution that you may like to try, tell them it is a business phone not a private individual. I've never heard someone hang up so quickly, nearly as quick as the time i got an obscene caller and decided to out gross him[:D] Now for the serious bit. It's only a matter of time before the latest scam in London hits Hertford. You receive a call from Inspector......... who is investigating a fraud with your bank. He wishes to send a colleague round and would like to make an appointment. You duly make arrangements and organise a password for DC............ to use when he comes round. DC......... duly turns up, shows you ID uses the password and then starts to question you about your bank account. Eventually he asks to see your cash card. After much chat he then asks for your PIN. Now most of us would know not to give this out but some are put at their ease (well he is a copper) others are less gullible and realise at this point it is a scam. However, you are now in the position of knowing this is a criminal that you have invited into your home, what are you going to do? With no way of knowing if he's armed, you bet your life most would give their PIN. The Met advise that you make the appointment then call them so they can attend.
Reply ID 62377
Anorak - good shout and an excellent heads up warning. This is nasty. Well done for sharing.