Forum Topic

Hoax Phone Call from Someone Saying they are from BT

Around midday I received a call on the landline.  It was a recorded message saying that British Telecom were going to cut off our landline from tomorrow.  To stop this happening, I needed to press 1 or speak to someone by pressing 2.  I put the phone down.Rang the BT operator.  It is a hoax.  Presumably, if you Press 1 or 2 someone will ask you for bank details to stop your service being disconnected.

Martine Guy ● 2363d8 Comments

I usually put the phone down & go away - at least it ties their line up for a few minutes.  But you do have to remember to replace the receiver later!

Jane Snowden ● 2361d

I do recommend one of these (or another one in the range will the same technology - definitely get one of the ones labelled with three stars and the ability to filter all your calls:https://shop.bt.com/products/bt4600-premium-nuisance-call-blocker---single-084665-BY4H.htmlI've had one for three years or so and it has solved the nuisance call problem completely, while not blocking any genuine calls. It's brilliant.Robert Dyas tend to sell them and sometimes has them on sale.Disclosure: I work for BT.

James Elder ● 2361d

Our landline is left permanently on BT's answer service with a message saying we never answer it. It's easy to leave a message; BT, Microsoft and financial advisors with get rich quick schemes never seem to brother ...

Michael Ixer ● 2361d

There are so many of these attempted scams: the Microsoft one is the most common (someone rings to say they're from Microsoft and there's a technical problem with your computer blah blah) but there are others. The best advice is just to hang up on such calls. If in doubt, hang up and then do a search to see if it's a recognised scam.

Richard Carter ● 2361d

I've had a lot of these calls over the last six months.  Either an Asian operative telling me I'm having problems with my broadband when I'm not, or a recorded message saying my account's going to be cancelled if I don't hold the line.  When I insist to the operatives I ask them to verify my BT account number and address. They always hang up.

Sarah Roberts ● 2362d

Thanks for your replies.  For a moment, I was unsettled but I know our phone bill is paid, so BT aren’t going to cut us off just like that. The recorded message was also a bit slow too and sounded a bit amateur.That’s a good tip about not ringing them back, as it might be a premium rate number.  I put the phone down and rang the Operator on 100.It’s the first time I have had this call and will warn the other family members.

Martine Guy ● 2363d

Last year I had a couple of calls from a girl with a Russian sounding name/foreign accent purporting to be from BT. All hell and confusion was about to descend on me. I hung up, contacted BT who confirmed it was a scam.  Had a call a week or so ago, and as soon as the words BT were uttered, I slammed the phone down.But it's irritating and unsettling.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2363d

Yes, you'll be one step closer to being robbed of some cash.I'm amazed that's the first time you've had that. Had it countless times here. I guarantee you'll have the message again. ALWAYS be suspicious of recorded messages and any call that says you owe money and need to pay immediately. Oh, and never call the number back either. You might be ringing a premium rate phone line which could cost you a very large amount of money.

Freddie Francis ● 2363d