Spam Telephone Calls

[-pops-]

I realise this is not a computer topic but I am posting it to make people aware of a scam which is plaguing me today.

I have been called at least ten times and greeted with the recorded message:

This is an important security call from Lloyds TSB. Press any key to continue

I've had these calls before but only singles and they then go away. These messages are slightly different to the previous ones in that they have now added "security". I have previously spoken to my bank (which is Lloyds TSB) and they state that the calls do not originate from them.

I don't know what happens if I press any key (where is the "any key"?)* and I am not prepared to find out.

A 1471 results in a number withheld message. If I just hang on without replying the line closes.

* Not original, it's a Homerism.

[Mike567]

The idea is they don't loose very much money, by pressing any key (i believe) it would put you through to a person.

by not pressing a button it hangs up, its just a way to speed things up and a lot of people used to leave their phone off spending their money.

[-pops-]

Even if it does put me through to someone real, it is not who it claims to be i.e. Lloyds TSB so what are you letting yourself in for by doing as requested?

If my bank wants to speak to me, the least they can do is put a live person on the line who knows my name and account details. It is not incumbent on me to provide those which I am assuming is the point of the scam.

[andsome]

I did hear that if you do press a key, you give them access to your phone line and they can run up bills at your expense. I have no knowledge of knowing whether or not this is true. :D

[Boris]

-pops-

Have you seen this ?

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08456031754

[Boris]

Very similar ?

http://www.whocalled.us/lookup/08456306967

http://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/yR...gAIPwjJmXFnwQ/2

[-pops-]

Thanks for that, Boris. It doesn't alter my view though. There is a lot of my money in that bank so, the least they can do if they want to speak to me is be there in person when they phone me.

I have spoken to my local branch, their call centre and their credit card department in the past and they all deny that it is they who are calling.

It is a "number withheld" message if I do a 1471 so I am unable to say if my calls are the same as those reported.

[catgate]

I just put the phone down as soon as I hear anything to do with "bank". I did that three times recently. Twice one evening and once the following morning. Then I decided to check. So I rang NatWest, only to find someone had had his hands in my till.

Moral... don't answer but check up if suspicious.