Don't Call That Number!!!

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:01 pm

Missed a call? 'One-ring' cell phone scam could cost you money - NBC News.com

Post by **Chloe_88** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:08 am

Going on alot, that sort of thing..

We still have the "windows" scam (as in the computer scam). Phoning and saying there is a problem with your pc, so they can get personal info/pc info out of you.

My friend kept the guy going for about 20 minutes. Then said; interesting, I use linux!

The scammer just hung up after that :wah:

If I have a missed call from an unknown number, I never ring back. If it's important, they'll call back again.

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:23 am

I always do an area code look-up on a number I don't recognize. Also, unless they leave me a message, I figure it wasn't important. I also delete it from my phone log, just to make sure I can't pocket-dial it later.

I got one of those "Windows Repair" calls the other day. I enjoyed toying with the guy.

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:37 pm

I don't answer the phone if it's a number I don't recognize. I'm like you Chloe, if it's important they'll call back.

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:38 pm

I've done that too Lars...looking up the area code on a number I don't recognize.

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:57 pm

Hope6;1447231 wrote: I don't answer the phone if it's a number I don't recognize. I'm like you Chloe, if it's important they'll call back.

Probably a good idea not to, but for my work, I get calls from co-workers and customers a lot. So, I have to answer most calls.

A one-ringer, though, I'll wait and see if they call back. If not, pfffft

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:12 pm

Yes it seems a bit weird to let a phone only ring one time, I mean who can get to a phone that quick!

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:46 pm

Hope6;1447245 wrote: Yes it seems a bit weird to let a phone only ring one time, I mean who can get to a phone that quick!

I have hit the wrong number and realized it as the phone starts to ring, and hung up, before.

I suppose I am not the only one.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 9:16 am

We've got all those scams too. I have one going a the moment, but they leave sms's. They wanted to take me camping last week. If you ask who the person is in text it goes on and on and on. Then they get to the point of asking "do you need money" .......it's a bot that just keeps generating messages.

To get rid of it, you have to get a police report number and quote it to your provider. Otherwise they won't block the number for you .

That would be annoying.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:20 am

fuzzywuzzy;1447305 wrote: We've got all those scams too. I have one going a the moment, but they leave sms's. They wanted to take me camping last week. If you ask who the person is in text it goes on and on and on. Then they get to the point of asking "do you need money" .......it's a bot that just keeps generating messages.

To get rid of it, you have to get a police report number and quote it to your provider. Otherwise they won't block the number for you .

That would be annoying.

Do it yourself :-

Settings > Call Settings > No Screening - then add their number to the list

ETA - That's Nokia but I'm sure the other 'phones have the same facility

Týr · Post by **Týr** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:36 am

I'm puzzled that a phone provider is allowed to charge a variable rate on different area codes. What profiteering gits set up a system like that?

In the UK a number can be diverted internationally but it can only be charged at the rate set for the prefix type.

If it starts with an STD code prefix of 01 02 or 03 then it's a landline and it will charge at the national rate. 07 is a cellphone and rates are whatever the provider thinks he can get away with. 09 is premium rate, 00 is International, it makes them both easy to spot before calling back. 08 started out as a non-geographic rate and ended up a vicious scam in its own right because most providers now charge more for that than they do for national calls.

The entire notion of being charged anything for an incoming call was unheard of until roaming abroad started. If I take a UK phone abroad I might get charged for an incoming call but not if I keep my UK phone inside the UK. I'd do without a phone at all before I tolerated that sort of rip-off.

Post by **LarsMac** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 11:42 am

Týr;1447315 wrote: I'm puzzled that a phone provider is allowed to charge a variable rate on different area codes. What profiteering gits set up a system like that?

In the UK a number can be diverted internationally but it can only be charged at the rate set for the prefix type.

If it starts with an STD code prefix of 01 02 or 03 then it's a landline and it will charge at the national rate. 07 is a cellphone and rates are whatever the provider thinks he can get away with. 09 is premium rate, 00 is International, it makes them both easy to spot before calling back. 08 started out as a non-geographic rate and ended up a vicious scam in its own right because most providers now charge more for that than they do for national calls.

The entire notion of being charged anything for an incoming call was unheard of until roaming abroad started. If I take a UK phone abroad I might get charged for an incoming call but not if I keep my UK phone inside the UK. I'd do without a phone at all before I tolerated that sort of rip-off.

Simple, really.

I can only speak for the US phone system, but here all US area codes are three digits. Several organizations based in the Caribbean have set up area codes that are also 3 digit. However, those are actually subscriber lines, like the 900 numbers. If you call them, you are charged some rather large fees for making the call, and the owner of the line gets most of the fee.

So guy in a call center just kicks off a random dial-er, to ring and hang up.

IF you call them back to see who it is, or why you called, it is an automatic 20 bucks, just to initiate the connection. then so much per minute for however long the connection remains. If they answer and get a conversation going, 20 bucks per minute. easy money.

Týr · Post by **Týr** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:14 pm

I'd emigrate. How can you tolerate dialing codes you can't immediately price in your head?

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:32 pm

Týr;1447331 wrote: I'd emigrate. How can you tolerate dialing codes you can't immediately price in your head?

Have you looked at our 0845 and other 08 numbers recently ?

The calls that wind me up are the ones that don't respond when you 'pick up'

I say Hello.....and thats it, wait a second then hang up.

My wife gets angry with them, repeating Hello on a rising volume and anger.........I tell her to calm down, they phoned you it's their bill.

Post by **LarsMac** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:40 pm

Týr;1447331 wrote: I'd emigrate. How can you tolerate dialing codes you can't immediately price in your head?

Well, there's the rub. most area codes are the same price, and most call packages include long-distance (out of area) calls within the US as same price.

So most people, unless they are calling into Canada, never have to give a thought to area codes.

Suddenly, this rather innocent-looking call comes in, and you call back, and a month later you have this enormous extra charge on your bill.

And a lot of people just have auto-pay so the don't find out until a check bounces, or something like that.

Týr · Post by **Týr** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:12 pm

Bruv;1447337 wrote: Have you looked at our 0845 and other 08 numbers recently ?I actually switched my mobile operator to one which includes 0800 and 0845 on its prepaid minutes plan, and told T-Mobile exactly why I was moving.

If you ever catch me dialing an 0870 number you may have me culled for dogfood.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 3:23 pm

I have an all calls included (except for the ones that will confuse you type) plan on my landline, combining barred mobile, premium, and foriegn calls and the Ba*&ards still catch me out.

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 3:47 pm

I have a long distance package on my phone that includes unlimited long distance calls in the United States for one monthly fee.