A scam phone calls and emails discussion.

[Westcountryman]

This article is interesting!

HSBC fraud helpline's 20-hour wait 'disgraceful'

The daughter of a fraud victim says it took hours to speak to staff after thousands were stolen from her father's bank account.

www.bbc.co.uk

The message to take from this is to use the phone number on the back of the card if possible.

 

[najaB]

The message to take from this is to use the phone number on the back of the card if possible.

Second message seems to be avoid HSBC. I wonder if they are the most popular target for scammers?

 

[scotrail158713]

I must admit I was slightly disappointed with one I received this morning. I’ve been wanting to have a bit of fun with them but my phone has been on silent a lot recently so I have missed any recent ones.
I managed to catch one this morning though but on answering, all they had to say to me was “GOODBYE” in a robotic sounding voice.

 

[najaB]

I managed to catch one this morning though but on answering, all they had to say to me was “GOODBYE” in a robotic sounding voice.

I guess that was an aliveness test. Expect another call in the near future.

 

[scotrail158713]

I guess that was an aliveness test. Expect another call in the near future.

Very true. I’ll keep an eye out for it.
I did block that number that they called from, but no doubt they’ll just call from another one instead.

 

[Bevan Price]

I have had a recent surge of spam in my email box. Mostly offers about bitcoin, or "you have won / qualified for something" rubbish (according to their titles). Cannot post more details, as they all got put into the spam box automatically, and for safety, I deleted them without opening any of them.
But beware - "they" are out to trick us.

 

[najaB]

Cannot post more details, as they all got put into the spam box automatically, and for safety, I deleted them without opening any of them.

That's the best approach. The odds of winning a competition that you never entered are close enough to zero that there's no need to fear you're missing out.

 

[A Challenge]

I have had a recent surge of spam in my email box. Mostly offers about bitcoin, or "you have won / qualified for something" rubbish (according to their titles). Cannot post more details, as they all got put into the spam box automatically, and for safety, I deleted them without opening any of them.
But beware - "they" are out to trick us.

Assuming you have a decent Email program, it should be safe to preview any Email and to open any in your junk folder, as they won't be able to do anything (in fact in Office 365 Outlook you can't open links even if you want to without moving the Email - I've tried when I've known the Email is genuine)

 

[John Webb]

Like Bevan Price above (post #546) I've had a surge of e-mails over the last few days. But mine are from ladies interested in making a closer acquaintance of me over a forthcoming weekend rather than prizes in a competition!

 

[najaB]

But mine are from ladies interested in making a closer acquaintance of me over a forthcoming weekend rather than prizes in a competition!

Sounds like you've hit the jackpot there!

 

[87 027]

But which kind of endowments are they after!

 

[Typhoon]

This article is interesting!
The message to take from this is to use the phone number on the back of the card if possible.

I heard the programme last weekend, unfortunately they did not test how long it took to answer the number(s) on the back of the card. I would also be interested in how long it took to answer queries about taking out a loan or life insurance; minutes? seconds?

THE HSBC website includes the following

If you believe this is a fraudulent transaction on your card (debit or credit) please call us:

For Premier customers: 03457 707 070 (open Monday – Sunday from 08:00-20:00)

For all other customers: 03457 404 404 (open Monday – Sunday from 08:00-20:00)
If you've authorised a bank transfer or bill payment (ie not made with your credit or debit card) and now believe you've been the victim of a scam, please call: 03455 873523 (Open 24/7)

So 'paid for' numbers. The 'lost and stolen' number is an 0800 number

By the by, if you have lost your credit card, how can you look at the back of the card?

Second message seems to be avoid HSBC. I wonder if they are the most popular target for scammers?

Sage advice, sir. The answer to your question is probably "if they weren't before, they are now".

 

[najaB]

So 'paid for' numbers. The 'lost and stolen' number is an 0800 number

0345 numbers are charged against inclusive minutes, so are no additional cost for the majority of people and for anyone without inclusive minutes are charged the same as a local call (so it's not a profit centre for the company like the old 0870 numbers used to be).

The problem isn't the number band they use, it's that they're taking several hours to answer the call.

By the by, if you have lost your credit card, how can you look at the back of the card?

Haven't you made a note of the number on your card?

 

[Westcountryman]

If you need to call here is a freephone number. 0800 085 2401. Obviously I don't know whether they will answer quickly though. For any other bank or organisation just google for freephone number

 

[Typhoon]

0345 numbers are charged against inclusive minutes, so are no additional cost for the majority of people and for anyone without inclusive minutes are charged the same as a local call (so it's not a profit centre for the company like the old 0870 numbers used to be).

The problem isn't the number band they use, it's that they're taking several hours to answer the call.

No, not a profit centre but being charged just adds insult to injury and twenty hour waits are going to make a hole in your inclusive minutes. The customers are effectively paying for awful service. It is important that scams are reported quickly so that attempts can be made to intercept the scammers; from this, I get the impression that HSBC care insufficiently. Surely, if the scam line was flooded with calls, they would have some provision to divert calls? You know telecoms much better than me.

I, fortunately, don't bank with HSBC and the appropriate numbers - all 0800 - are plastered on every piece of correspondence I am ever sent. I could even quote the general helpline number from memory.

 

[najaB]

Surely, if the scam line was flooded with calls, they would have some provision to divert calls? You know telecoms much better than me.

Yes, they really should implement a queue buster system. It's relatively simple to hold the caller's place in the queue and place an outbound call to them when there's an available advisor.

 

[Typhoon]

Yes, they really should implement a queue buster system. It's relatively simple to hold the caller's place in the queue and place an outbound call to them when there's an available advisor.

Thanks - fancy a job at HSBC. They need someone who knows what they are doing!

 

[PeterC]

Just wondering how effective BT Call Protect really is. As well as any numbers that I block it is supposed to filter calls based on data held by BT.

I was thinking about switching phone providers which would save me a few pounds per month but not sure how many more spam calls would get through.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2021 ==

Thanks - fancy a job at HSBC. They need someone who knows what they are doing!

In my younger days I was left totally unimpressed whenever I had to deal with Midland Bank and, if anything, they have got steadily worse under the new name. I worked for a different clearning bank in the 70s and simple admin tasks that we could deal with while the customer waited take HSBC weeks or even months.

 

[najaB]

In my younger days I was left totally unimpressed whenever I had to deal with Midland Bank and, if anything, they have got steadily worse under the new name. I worked for a different clearning bank in the 70s and simple admin tasks that we could deal with while the customer waited take HSBC weeks or even months.

Yet, strangely, they are one of the world's largest banks. Go figure.

 

[yorksrob]

Just got an automated call from someone saying my NI number has been compromised. It's a scam.

 

[najaB]

Just got an automated call from someone saying my NI number has been compromised. It's a scam.

But what if it isn't???

As an aside, what would 'compromising' an NI number actually entail? What is at risk? Are they going to make NI contributions on your behalf?

 

[ainsworth74]

Just wondering how effective BT Call Protect really is. As well as any numbers that I block it is supposed to filter calls based on data held by BT.

I was thinking about switching phone providers which would save me a few pounds per month but not sure how many more spam calls would get through.

Seems to be incredibly effective. Can't recall the last time a spam call got through. Just a bit of a pain training people you want to talk to you to get used to it. Though I think it's started to proliferate enough that people and businesses don't get totally foxed by it anymore but I do remember my mum used to have to warn people about it otherwise they'd get themselves confused.

Edit: Sorry I've just re-read I was referring to BT Call Guardian, not sure about Call Protect.

 

[Typhoon]

In my younger days I was left totally unimpressed whenever I had to deal with Midland Bank and, if anything, they have got steadily worse under the new name. I worked for a different clearning bank in the 70s and simple admin tasks that we could deal with while the customer waited take HSBC weeks or even months.

I'm not surprised. When my mother became housebound, I tried to arrange for an appointment to visit the nearest branch, I had to do this via a special call centre, I was offered one almost 3 months later because 'they are very busy'; I had been in the branch twice in the last fortnight. No customers on either occasion. Later I had to provide evidence that I was me, I was told that they did not accept one of the documents, which was on their list of acceptable documents. I would have no confidence in them dealing with scams and scammers in anything like a timely manner, I reckon the only reason that the chap in #541 got his money back is that Moneybox got involved.

Yet, strangely, they are one of the world's largest banks. Go figure.

'Largest' just means that a 96 year old who had been a customer for all her working life means nothing to them (which is what I think you were implying). I prefer a building society where one of the Executive speaks to me when he sees me, and the CEO has changed a procedure and ensured confusing advice on the website was corrected when I raised it with him. If things go wrong, they know that I (and others) will raise it and they are sufficiently accessible.

 

[yorksrob]

But what if it isn't???

As an aside, what would 'compromising' an NI number actually entail? What is at risk? Are they going to make NI contributions on your behalf?

Would I get extra time off

 

[3rd rail land]

Received the HMRC scam call twice this morning instructing me to press 1 or a warrant will be issued in my name. I hung up and blocked the numbers. One was landline and the other a mobile number.
I've never received any scam calls to my mobile before only to my landline.

 

[najaB]

I've never received any scam calls to my mobile before only to my landline.

Probably because we use calling party pays and calls to mobile are significantly more expensive than calls to landlines. They're a lot more common in countries (such as the USA) where the receiving party pays for the call, meaning that there's no disincentive to calling mobiles v fixed lines.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Just wondering how effective BT Call Protect really is

i doubt it's much defence against the random number that spam calls claim to be from. You can ring 1572 to add a number to the list, but there's a finite limit. if you hit the limit, it suggests a number to delete. As this had been the most recent one added, I wasn't filled with confidence about the usefulness of their system.

Usually the Amazon 79.99 one is an automated call, today I got a person.

 

[najaB]

i doubt it's much defence against the random number that spam calls claim to be from.

No system that depends on the presentation number is going to be 100% effective since it's relatively trivial to hide/spoof them. But (a) it's free, and (b) it's better than nothing.

 

[Bungle158]

Opinion seems divided on 0118-904 9938. Might well be a scam, could however be something to do with Wessex Water. One way or another, unsolicited calls ostensibly from this number do seem to have annoyed a lot of folk.

The number appears to be one of a batch allocated to Redcentric, a coms provider. IIRC, they have a data centre in the west Reading area. Reading hosts Thames Water, l think Wessex Water live, appropriately enough, in Bath.

 

[BanburyBlue]

I very nearly got caught out this morning. I had an email from Royal Mail saying a parcel couldn't be delivered as some of the address was incorrect. The thing is, I was actually waiting for some parcels to be delivered (wife's birthday next week). So I clicked on the link. What woke me up was the email saying there would be a £3 charge for re-delivery, and the level of information they were asking for (for example mother's maiden name). When I stepped back it was obviously a scam - but in the moment it's just so so easy.