I recently received a message on my answerphone from 'Message Alert' and asked to call back on 0870 896 6059 to retrieve my message they were holding for me. When I did I was placed in a queue listening to music. I didn't hang on too long as it looks like a scam. Has anybody else come accross this sort of thing before?

OHanley wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2006 at 11:39am:

... When I did I was placed in a queue listening to music. I didn't hang on too long as it looks like a scam. Has anybody else come accross this sort of thing before?

Yes, it's a common thing. Usually on 0870 or 0871 numbers. The 'message' (if there is one) may give be (purporting) to be from someone at a company where you have 'won' a prize and telling you must call a 090 premium rate number. These things only exist because people ring them back.

Dave wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2006 at 12:08pm:

OHanley wrote on Aug 23rd, 2006 at 11:39am: ... When I did I was placed in a queue listening to music. I didn't hang on too long as it looks like a scam. Has anybody else come accross this sort of thing before? Yes, it's a common thing. Usually on 0870 or 0871 numbers. The 'message' (if there is one) may give be (purporting) to be from someone at a company where you have 'won' a prize and telling you must call a 090 premium rate number. These things only exist because people ring them back.

>:(
There is a similar one doing the rounds - a card is pushed through letterbox to say that a parcel is awaiting delivery............only problem is you have to dial a premium rate number which starts charging at somewhere around £15!!!!!    BEWARE!!!!!!

ClarySage wrote on Aug 24^th, 2006 at 7:53pm:

There is a similar one doing the rounds - a card is pushed through letterbox to say that a parcel is awaiting delivery............only problem is you have to dial a premium rate number which starts charging at somewhere around £15!!!!!    BEWARE!!!!!!

It is not actually possible to be charged £15 unless you held on the phone for more than 10minutes.  I remember that scam a while ago.

The highest charge possible from a landline is £1.50 per minute (mobile companies do charge more - around £2 odd I think).

If you read this .pdf file from ICSTIS they state, and I quote:-

Quote:

To put your mind at rest, the reference to £15 is an urban myth. It is not possible for a £15 charge to be made on connection. We also have a number of measures in place in our Code of Practice to ensure that consumers are protected from unexpectedly high charges. Calls and texts cost a maximum of £1.50 per minute. The particular service referred to in the chain e-mail used a recorded message which lasted a maximum of 6 minutes - making the total cost £9. Under the Code, all service providers must state clearly in promotional material the likely costs for calls to each service (either per minute or total charge inclusive of VAT).

It was discussed on MSE forum here about 2 weeks ago although the scam is a lot older than that.

What about international premium rate numbers (+979)? I think these can be charged at much higher rates, and if they are formatted on the card as 00979, some people might not realise it's an international number.