jake Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Just doing my self assessment. I had to phone HMRC's advisor about something. 1 hour later I'm contacted saying I've a fraud matter on my account and press 1 if I want to avoid a warrant. I pressed 1 out of amusement. It's a scam obviously but I now worry that by pressing 1 I've solicited a charge to my phone bill. They are right on it these scammers though and how can they access my number after phoning what you would hope was protected data ? Answers in layman's terms if you dont mind thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Reekin' Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 5 minutes ago, jake said: Just doing my self assessment. I had to phone HMRC's advisor about something. 1 hour later I'm contacted saying I've a fraud matter on my account and press 1 if I want to avoid a warrant. I pressed 1 out of amusement. It's a scam obviously but I now worry that by pressing 1 I've solicited a charge to my phone bill. They are right on it these scammers though and how can they access my number after phoning what you would hope was protected data ? Answers in layman's terms if you dont mind thanks. Could just be a coincidence, I suppose, as I believe there are a lot of these scam calls and emails happening. I get regular calls to my mobile which are almost certainly scams / spam but I never answer calls from unrecognised numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawdust Caesar Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I don't have an answer for you Jake but I would report that to HMRC. It could be a coincidence that they contacted you the same day you contacted HMRC but it could also mean the scammers have found a way to get the number of folks who have just been in touch with the tax office. Out of curiosity what happened after you pressed 1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 17 minutes ago, Barack said: In layman's terms...that was a bit silly, jake. Call your phone provider, they'll provide you with the best advice, and they can look for any suspicious activity on your bill. Advise your bank too...just in case. And HMRC. HMRC will never contact you over the phone. Not even for your amusement.👍🏻 I did contact HMRC's. I didnt give any details . As soon as I heard the voice I laughed and hung up. I've checked my bill online it's fine. Thanks though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 15 minutes ago, Sawdust Caesar said: I don't have an answer for you Jake but I would report that to HMRC. It could be a coincidence that they contacted you the same day you contacted HMRC but it could also mean the scammers have found a way to get the number of folks who have just been in touch with the tax office. Out of curiosity what happened after you pressed 1? Some guy with a dodgy accent answered it . I hung up. I phoned HMRC's after it . They'd heard of it. They are after your bank details. Co incidence rings alarm bells . Which is why I asked if anyone knew how they'd go about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 20 minutes ago, Auld Reekin' said: Could just be a coincidence, I suppose, as I believe there are a lot of these scam calls and emails happening. I get regular calls to my mobile which are almost certainly scams / spam but I never answer calls from unrecognised numbers. I guess It was because the number was similar and soon after my call to the tax office. But I was suspicious from the off. That was a good shout from Barack about the tax office not contacting you over the phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Its a scam Jake and if you answered it you may find you are getting billed for calls they have made using your number. ts common here and some older people have given financial information. Others have bought gift cards and met an "agent" at a given place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Reekin' Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 3 minutes ago, jake said: I guess It was because the number was similar and soon after my call to the tax office. But I was suspicious from the off. That was a good shout from Barack about the tax office not contacting you over the phone. Yep: file alongside notifications of wins in lotteries you've never entered and emails from Nigerian princes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Internet Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 11 minutes ago, Auld Reekin' said: Yep: file alongside notifications of wins in lotteries you've never entered and emails from Nigerian princes. And Microsoft calling you to tell you you've got a virus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annushorribilis III Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 46 minutes ago, jake said: Just doing my self assessment. I had to phone HMRC's advisor about something. 1 hour later I'm contacted saying I've a fraud matter on my account and press 1 if I want to avoid a warrant. I pressed 1 out of amusement. It's a scam obviously but I now worry that by pressing 1 I've solicited a charge to my phone bill. They are right on it these scammers though and how can they access my number after phoning what you would hope was protected data ? Answers in layman's terms if you dont mind thanks. It seems like an uncanny coincidence to me. I've had no contact with HMRC in years but I had the phone call you described about 2 weeks ago along with the usual car accident, "BT" telling me my internet has been hacked (we don't have BT internet) stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheile Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I bought a BT branded call blocking phone a few months ago and had not a scam call since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAl Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 On more than one occasion I have filed Tax Returns on behalf of my wife and claimed a repayment. Each time I have received a e-mail telling me she is due £X refund and asking for certain details. As it happens the refunds due were different from my calculations and no computations were provided. I concluded this was an inside job and wrote to HMRC telling them so. I got an acknowledgment thanking me for the information. They added that the matter would be looked into and apologised that they would not be able to let me know the outcome (which is fair enough if some cretin is going to be sacked). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 (edited) 55 minutes ago, Mauricio Pinilla said: And Microsoft calling you to tell you you've got a virus. I got that one after buying a disc for a Microsoft program. It gave download instructions and advised if it didn't work to call this number . I did, I watched after making contact all ,my files zipping through the scr een, I told the woman to stop now, and she said they had found viruses but had secured them, I told her to get lost and closed down, Some time later I received a call from "Microsoft" about the contract I had signed, I responded in my second official language the word off being used frequently, and that was it finished. I do however still get regular calls from the same people, but getting less frequent as they take lessons in the Sharp class of verbiosity. The disc was purchased at a respectable National store but neither they or Microsoft accept any responsibility. Edited August 7, 2019 by bobsharp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 4 hours ago, Barack said: In layman's terms...that was a bit silly, jake. Call your phone provider, they'll provide you with the best advice, and they can look for any suspicious activity on your bill. Advise your bank too...just in case. And HMRC. HMRC will never contact you over the phone. Not even for your amusement.👍🏻 We do, but we will never discuss sensitive information without going through security first. Plus, we can't even threaten warrants even if we wanted to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 4 hours ago, bobsharp said: Its a scam Jake and if you answered it you may find you are getting billed for calls they have made using your number. ts common here and some older people have given financial information. Others have bought gift cards and met an "agent" at a given place. Checked all that out bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Just now, jake said: Checked all that out bob. 🤙 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 @jake https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing/report-hmrc-phishing-emails-texts-and-phone-call-scams There's a link you can send an email to. They'll check it out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 2 hours ago, Locky said: @jake https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing/report-hmrc-phishing-emails-texts-and-phone-call-scams There's a link you can send an email to. They'll check it out for you. Nice one. I've already contacted them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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