What's the scam ?

[#1]

In recent months we've received a number of calls claiming to be from BT Openreach Technical Department not one of them sounding like they were from the EU. Today "Steve" claimed they had observed problems with my internet connection and he was going to help me, the same script as previous callers.

Wanted me sit at a computer connected to the internet and asked me to locate the CTRL key, he then asked what the next key was, presumably to check if Windows or Apple? When I told him it was a black key I sensed he was not pleased with the answer.

When 'Steve' asked what was on the key and said the colour black, I could tell he was miffed because he told me off and hung up. In a similar previous incident one of 'Steve's' said he would 'F'ing F me', when I asked if he was saying he was gay he cut the call.

So what are these scam calls about, what are they wanting people to do?

I've passed details of the call and the phone number of 'Steve' onto ICO.

[#2]

Simple - they want to show you supposed 'errors on you system', get you to install remote control applications, and then steal all the data.

It's been around for as long as I've had a home computer - probably about 20 years.

[#3]

or they charge hundreds of pounds to fix a non-existent issue.

This is an interesting listen https://www.gimletmedia.com/reply-all/102-long-distance-parts-1-2

[#4]

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@christmas wrote:

In recent months we've received a number of calls claiming to be from BT Openreach Technical Department not one of them sounding like they were from the EU. Today "Steve" claimed they had observed problems with my internet connection and he was going to help me, the same script as previous callers.

Wanted me sit at a computer connected to the internet and asked me to locate the CTRL key, he then asked what the next key was, presumably to check if Windows or Apple? When I told him it was a black key I sensed he was not pleased with the answer.

When 'Steve' asked what was on the key and said the colour black, I could tell he was miffed because he told me off and hung up. In a similar previous incident one of 'Steve's' said he would 'F'ing F me', when I asked if he was saying he was gay he cut the call.

So what are these scam calls about, what are they wanting people to do?

I've passed details of the call and the phone number of 'Steve' onto ICO.

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I had the same phone call about a hour ago

The number showing on the call display was 01453 092710

Claiming to be BT Openreach and that my broadband would shortly be discontinued.

Clearly a scam............unless........

Someone on the forum has got my phone number and decided they have had enough of my posts !

[#5]

Just put that number into a google search box, and it came back with a page of results... the first of which was

https://who-called.co.uk/Number/01453092710

Worth a read through ! ! ! !

[#6]

An elderly neighbour fell for that scam a few months ago. The caller claimed to be from BT Openreach and even gave her his 'staff number.'

The scammer claimed my neighbour's computer was infected with malware and she allowed him to take over her system. He also claimed she had pornographic material on her computer.

The final fee to sort out the system was £400.00 in iTunes vouchers.

The scammer even phoned back next day - a 'courtesy' call.

Very nasty people!

[#7]

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@gleneagles wrote: 

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I had the same phone call about a hour ago

The number showing on the call display was 01453 092710

Claiming to be BT Openreach and that my broadband would shortly be discontinued.

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I guess the caller ID likely to be fake?

The call I received had a number for West London, but listening to the accent it was more likely the far east and I don't mean Walford.  

[#8]

@shutter

Thanks for the link, interesting read.

[#9]

I know customer service standards in some companies aren't what they used to be, but I can't believe that someone in BTOR Technical Department would say he would F'ing F you, especially when calls may be recorded for training purposes.

[#10]

The call " recoding, for training purposes"... could still be used.." for training purposes"... as.....................

"how NOT to talk to customers"    ! ! ! 

[#11]

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@Jonpe wrote:

.......I can't believe that someone in BTOR Technical Department would say he would F'ing F you.....

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Neither do I, that's why it indicates its a scam of some sought.

It sounds like they are phoning from a call centre, but are they, could they be talking over a recording?

The fact they get angry indicates the people making the calls aren't naïve individuals who've been duped by a 'Mr Big'.

I would like to see an investigation to uncover where the calls are coming from and the number of people involved. The criminals must feel it is worthwhile making all their scam calls, how much are they making, on what scale is the operation is it a global issue?

How will the new law & fines work if these criminal firms are based abroad?   

[#12]

Of course it is a scam - BT/OR are even less likely than your ISP to contact you over a 'problem with your computer'  - and they wouldn't unless you had contacted them first, they cannot and do not monitor you connection without you first raising a concern.

These individuals are ringing from a call centre, most likely on the Indian sub-continent, and are merely following instructions from a 'Mr Big'. The reason they get angry if you don't fall for the co-trick is probably because they are paid on results, so if you tell them to 'go forth and multiply', they don't get paid.

Sadly, the fact that this ancient scam is still running indicates that are still enough people who fall for it, despite the extensive amount of warnings that have been issued.

The regulation issued by either the UK or the EC are only effective against operations in those areas - the authorities can only request co-operation from say, India, and to put it politely, they are flogging a dead horse on that.

It is a global issue, we in the U.K. only worry about the situation in our own backyard, but sites such as 'WhoCalledMe' originated in the USA, where the problem is (or was, I don't follow that anymore) even bigger.

[#13]

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@gleneagles wrote:

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@christmas wrote:

In recent months we've received a number of calls claiming to be from BT Openreach Technical Department not one of them sounding like they were from the EU. Today "Steve" claimed they had observed problems with my internet connection and he was going to help me, the same script as previous callers.

Wanted me sit at a computer connected to the internet and asked me to locate the CTRL key, he then asked what the next key was, presumably to check if Windows or Apple? When I told him it was a black key I sensed he was not pleased with the answer.

When 'Steve' asked what was on the key and said the colour black, I could tell he was miffed because he told me off and hung up. In a similar previous incident one of 'Steve's' said he would 'F'ing F me', when I asked if he was saying he was gay he cut the call.

So what are these scam calls about, what are they wanting people to do?

I've passed details of the call and the phone number of 'Steve' onto ICO.

---

I had the same phone call about a hour ago

The number showing on the call display was 01453 092710

Claiming to be BT Openreach and that my broadband would shortly be discontinued.

Clearly a scam............unless........

Someone on the forum has got my phone number and decided they have had enough of my posts !

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Definitely a wrong number, but seems odd because it's a long way from g to w in a directory.

01453092 not found in Magenta Code Look