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I just had this e-mail at work, hav not done a search (sorry) and I need an answer quick!
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Please be aware of the following telephone scam relating 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. 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 calls are originating from outside the U.K. and 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.
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I have my doubts but need to know if you can actually drain someones phone bill throug calling them up.
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Posted: 2003-12-08 10:43:18
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sounds like an age-old landline scam where you needed to press #09* or something in some order and they would be able to access your line.
There's been discussion in at least 2 topics before (they've been well buried by now) and there's been ppl that say it's impossible and ppl that say it sin't.
As always, caution is the best course of action. i don't know if it
is possible, however I wouldn't put it beyond the possibilities of todays technology. In other words, when you get suspicious messages, just like if you'd get suspicious email,
do not touch it simply delete and never follow any prompts.
Kinda reminds me of a discussion on another forum, where the topic was how likely it is for anyone to get a stranger to pair their phones with you. (type 2158 NOW and you will win.....) It's always dangerous to follows prompts of unknown origin.
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Posted: 2003-12-08 10:49:31
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Yeah it's true, we got warned about it in work on Friday.
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Posted: 2003-12-08 10:53:53
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Just dont believe that there is smtng4free..
This message was posted from a T610
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Posted: 2003-12-08 11:29:58
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My problem is everybody at work comes to me and asks about the likeliness of this being true.
I've told them I have my doubts but to be carefull.
I've allso contacted the tecnical section at my networkprovider for advice.
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Posted: 2003-12-08 11:35:29
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I got the PayPal scam email yesterday - and I'm not even registered with PayPal
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Posted: 2003-12-08 11:37:41
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I got that last week.
I've had the landline scam at work
but never seena cellular scam irl be4
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Posted: 2003-12-08 12:06:33
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yeah but i will push nine just to see what happens
those companies should be shot because they rob inoccent fools like me who dont know any better.
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Posted: 2003-12-08 18:42:21
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Hey tranquil, if it's a scam it's not for real! (check the subject title)
Now seriously, I don't think it could happen.
One way possible was if those guys leaft you a voice mail message.
If pressing the '9' key when using your voice mail makes a connection to the caller, probably you would be calling one of those million dollar numbers, who knows.
Just check what will happen if you press '9' when hearing your voice mail.
_________________
There are only
10 types of people.
Those who understand binary and those who don't.
[ This Message was edited by: Krubach on 2003-12-09 17:51 ]
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Posted: 2003-12-09 18:49:18
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It's a hoax. It can't be done but you should always treat unsolicited communications with suspicion or disdain - just like email.
The number for some little police station in Cambridgeshire was mentioned in the hoax and they are getting loads of calls from people panicking about a phone call they've never recieved.
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Posted: 2003-12-11 11:01:44
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