Fraud

[Jeff_Reeves]

I was called on my landline a few days ago by someone who said he worked for Virgin Media. He said there were indications that my broadband router was faulty and that I should download Teamviewer software to give more detailed information. I foolishly convinced myself that the call was genuine and did the download. This was a big mistake! NEVER NEVER NEVER load anything onto your computer from a call on your landline. The fraudster made several attempts to steal money from my bank account which fortunately were blocked by the bank. I spent an hour later speaking to a fraud specialist at the bank who said the computer must not be switched on again until is has been professionally cleaned. My local computer repair shop said he had five other similar cases in the queue ahead of me.

[Serena_C]

Hi @ALF28

Thank you very much for sharing this useful guide in regard to Fraudulent Calls.

We also recommend registering at https://www.tpsonline.org.uk to prevent receiving fraudulent calls.

You can also report any scam calls you receive to https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Serena

[ALF28]

Serena_C

I am registered with tps but still get cold calls (telephone preferential service)

I used to report cold calls to TPS but stopped doing this as they mostly originate outside of the UK which is not covered by TPS

Latest today, a scam call to my virgin landline claiming to be Amazon and my account/email is hacked.

They knew my name but I told them I would do my own checks and security so they rang off.

My own security checks found the Amazon account was secure but amazon required some extra security (unusual?) as well as the password consisting of "copy the characters shown", and I have 2 step anyway.

The numbers phone was  02039300xxx  (amazon prime phone scam listed on who called me 64 comments)

I get many scam calls from  0203   cade which is London the phone number changes each time.

Recent calls from 02023 numbers since April 2021 are as follows-

home appliance insurance 2 calls

survey for Anglo American mining (investment scam)

2 calls with no answer when picked up

Recent call today amazon scam very convincing  woman caller with strong accent.

The amazon scam phone number 02039300xxx live since 31/5/20201 so a few may have been scammed but also on the same number paypal scam, vaccination scam claiming to be NHS, solar panels, etc.

I have not published the full amazon scam phone number- but have it logged on my landline phone memory.

Not sure how these scam phone call can get through to my landline without being blocked or closed down, the amazon scam number has been live for 19 days now. 

alf28

[ALF28 · Accepted solution]

FRAUD

How scammers get hold of your data

It can be a concern when a cold caller appears to have your data, name address, phone number , email etc.

see-

7 Ways Scammers Get Your Information (aarp.org)

What Is Identity Theft and How to Report It (aarp.org)

I have in the past had some scammer activity-

My email used by someone to order goods , have had invoices and communications from 2 companies  and had to contact them, difficult that one.

Debt letters from paypal  (via a debt recovery agency) to my address in a different name - fraud or mistake

Social media accounts locked out after possible hacking requiring recovery.

Scammers can use hacked data to get  a person details - including phone numbers.

see-

FREE Data breach search | Check your email address (fasterbroadband.co.uk)

My virgin email is on this list.

Probably emails are widely distributed and often your data is sold to third parties, so wise to have some throw away emails and some private ones if possible. A good indicator is if the email is spam free, then it may be safe.

Phone numbers are the same, they can be widely distributed and available to scammers, but not easy to switch numbers and I find my mobiles get very little cold calling, mainly my landline.

alf28

[Akua_A]

Thank you for letting us know @ALF28

We are sorry to hear you have experienced this with fraud.

 Just to confirm, have you reported this to https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ ?

Thanks,

[ALF28]

Akua_A

FRAUD

I have reported some of my own incidents to action fraud, thanks.

"Awareness" is important, because cybercrime is increasing these days and only needs a phone or computer.

It can even happen without you knowing so it is wise to keep all accounts updated, which I am trying to do but that is not easy.

alf28

[Akua_A]

We are glad to hear this @ALF28.

We can totally understand the concern caused and the need for awareness.

We appreciate you flagging this up 🙂 

[Andrew-G · Accepted solution]

@ALF28 Not sure how these scam phone call can get through to my landline without being blocked or closed down, the amazon scam number has been live for 19 days now. 

Except that it isn't a real originating number.  Crooks use Caller Line ID protocols to pass a number to your telephone, that appears as the originating number, except that it can be set to anything that the crooks want, either that of a legitimate business, or even a number picked at random.  Until global agreement is reached on protocols to enforce CLID validation, nothing will happen, and even if that agreement is reached, certain countries still won't enforce the rules.

[ALF28 · Accepted solution]

Andrew-g

Thanks for the information on- Crooks use Caller Line ID protocols

I found some useful advice on the following links on this subject- explains this in some detail and to hang up on such calls and give no data to them.

I recently has a silent call from a new unknown 0203******* number at 10.09am which  was unknown on "who called me"  but by the end of the day was known and had over 98 look up's and 9 complaint, it was a fake domestic appliance insurance renewal wanting bank details, I get this one often with Indian accent , the number was only active on 19/06/2021 and then they change numbers I have had 5 recently.

There is good advice available from virgin media  included in the links below.

Number spoofing scams - Ofcom

Who's really on the phone? | Technology | The Guardian

Home Phone Nuisance Calls | Virgin Media

How do I stop unwanted nuisance malicious or withh... - Virgin Media Community - 3166398

Dealing with fraudulent calls | Virgin Media

As there is no way to  easily block these scam numbers, I hope ofcom and virgin media can reduce such calls, I am receiving approximately 10 scam  phone calls per month on average.  I am not sure if they originate in the UK or from other countries such as Indian call centres, but because the scammers can spoof numbers it is not obvious that a phone call is coming from outside of the UK as there is no indication in these scam number that they are from overseas, they do not show +44 to indicate they are from abroad.and many have London area codes now.

The TPS service I have used appears to be unable to prevent these scam numbers because scammers are using voip to generate spoofed telephone numbers and can put out millions of call per day, there must be a solution to this???

alf28

[Kath_F]

Hi ALF28, 

Thanks for updating the thread with this information. The links will come in handy for other customers searching for the same thing. 

I wish there was a way we could block these sorts of calls from happening but as soon as we make headway, another pops up or tactics area changed. 

It is annoying and I feel the frustration but all we can do is try and keep our information safe. Don't give your phone number to anyone who doesn't need it, make sure you are ticking the privacy boxes to prevent your details being passed on to other companies and never give any information over the phone to someone who are unsure of. 

If you have any further concerns, please let us know. 

Thanks,