Girl at work got this call.

I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was dis-connecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00 , or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date.

The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!

I asked the guy's name - the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152..

Obviously the fella realized I wasn't believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would dis-connect my phone to prevent this.

AND HE DID !! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again.

Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then.

I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him , I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT.

He hung up.

Did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.

I phoned the police to let them know , I wasn't the first! It's only just started apparently but it is escalating.

Their advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please let as many friends & family aware of this.

This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying (This is because the person who initates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable

How he did it is simple:

You can't disconnect an incoming call on a landline so have two phones by your side and call on one. Tell your victim that you will disconnect him and then put your phone on mute.

Give it five minutes then call back. In the meantime the victim will have been frantically trying to get a line - but he can't of course, he's still connected to a silent call.

Your victim can call you back on line 2 of course through a mobile or another phone line and scammer answers it and say "there you go twat"


edit: just read your last paragraph

Thanks Mri i'll put that up in the office for all to see.

I'd just give it one of them, "Gooo -on then, if it's true then you're entitled to disconnect me. By the way I'm not arsed about the land line in any case - and if you want cash from me then you will have to come round and lick my testicles for it"

Like mouldy says though mr parmo a lot of pensioners don't take that view and will just pay it.

They rely on the landline and there trust of someone saying there from bt is very strong, and will just pay it to cut out the hassle.

It's the older generation these scams prey on.

yes, true - and they're not likely to be tempted to lick a pensioner's testicles in all reality

Oh I dunno.....

I'll be round in five minutes.