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Chat thread – Wednesday 15th January
Discuss today's stories:
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Speaking of Scams
Had a weird email from Curve, titled “Verification Required”
Addresses me personally, reply email address is legit
But then threatens: “Please note that in order for your account to remain active this information is required to be provided within 60 days.”
Has scam written all over it. Why they couldn’t have just initiated the chat to begin with, I don’t know
I work IT security, and if this is legit, I’m not going to be happy
@AJA Your poor Mum, I bet it’s made her feel bad as well, on top of all the inconvenience, thank goodness she has got someone like you to sort things out for her. I’ve got neighbours reporting people going through our bins looking apparently looking for papers etc presumably in the hope of doing Identity Fraud, one of them confronted the person and they just ran off. Also our friends sons has recently had all his HSBC information duplicated, with someone using his information to run a parallel account and it still trying to get it sorted, after a number of weeks.
@Panda-Mick it’s legit. I had it whilst I was a curve holder a few years ago and it was the last straw for me. They confirmed they suddenly needed all sorts of personal info “for security reasons” and I told them to stick their card.
This scam has been in the tv program “Scam interceptors“
They are clever in what they do, and how they go about it, the trick is to catch people unaware, on a time constant, with out of the blue calls.They literally make millions of calls a day, and no doubt unfortunately there are victims to satisfy their greed.
This is a classic – I have many calls from scammers claiming to be from O2 with an Asian accents, (I have actually been an 02 customer for 20 years) they start to blab on, how are you today sir, we have a deal for you being an existing customer, sometimes I play along and waste their time, but when I am busy, I just say, if you are from O2 what is my name? To which there is silence and the call is ended!
The majority of these call centers are in India, especially Delhi, some have been traced and shut down but many still operate.
This scam has been in the tv program “Scam interceptors“
They are clever in what they do, and how they go about it, the trick is to catch people unaware, on a time constant, with out of the blue calls.They literally make millions of calls a day, and no doubt unfortunately there are victims to satisfy their greed.
This is a classic – I have many calls from scammers claiming to be from O2 with an Asian accents, (I have actually been an 02 customer for 20 years) they start to blab on, how are you today sir, we have a deal for you being an existing customer, sometimes I play along and waste their time, but when I am busy, I just say, if you are from O2 what is my name? To which there is silence and the call is ended!
The majority of these call centers are in India, especially Delhi, some have been traced and shut down but many still operate.
I get the same O2 calls despite moving to 3 years ago. I like to express surprise that O2 are offering me such generous discounts then question it. When they tell me it’s because of my loyalty I’ll usually let them know I’m no longer an O2 customer and hang up.
@AJA
What a bummer, well done on intercepting. Couldn’t believe how good these guys are. When l got a call supposedly from hsbc, luckily we still have a branch open in our town. I walked there, spoke to the manager. When he quoted a previous address, knew it was a con, but hoped to track him. The fraud team said no issues, but the con artist kept saying he was actually from hsbc, and quoting an employee number! Unreal. Bare faced with it. HSBC team were astonished at his audacity. He got nowhere, fast.
But can only imagine how well your mum was taken in. Keep her safe👍Years ago when I worked for one of the big 4 UK banks in fraud we had a case where mule accounts were being left wildly overdrawn, because they’d managed to get hold of our internal security number used to verify staff when they were calling a different department, had an employee ID, and were phoning through to telephone banking, claiming ‘system issues’ and asking advisers to add customer notes authorising cash withdrawals. They were then going into branch and withdrawing funds based on these notes.
@AJA, that was a close call, good on your mum for calling you though, a lot of older people feel too embarrassed to tell anyone they’ve been scammed so it doesn’t come to light until a lot of damage has been done.
Did the scammers know who she banks with or were they just fishing (or phishing)? I’ve had a couple of scam calls over the years, I recall once a woman said she needed to speak to our broadband account holder urgently, and I asked her who SHE had listed as the account holder and she ended the call immediately!
I am not sure if they knew or not but the scammer said the “right” bank. My mum felt convinced enough to give her full debit card details which of course was wrong. To be honest I don’t think my mum fully realised the second call was part of the scam – she recognised the first one re the delivery of a TV but thought that the second one was genuine and actually wanted to tell me how it had all been sorted out!. It was only when I said you didn’t give any bank details out that she said “I shouldn’t have done that should I?” She then said but he gave me his name and would block my card for me. That’s when I realised I should phone the bank on her behalf. I also said to her to go into the local branch (which is just 5 minutes away). I instructed her to phone me from the bank and then while she was on her way I phoned the bank. That way she got some support from an actual bank member who was able to let her draw some cash out which she needed to do. The bank staff member was also able to double confirm that everything was in order. The lady in the bank also thanked me for helping my mum. She said many elderly people have no one to turn to or are too embarrassed.
As for not telling me we have an arrangement that she should phone me if something happens, however minor, so that I can reassure her or help. I always ask when I see her if she had any strange phone calls and she happily tells me that she foiled an Amazon scammer or whatever. Going tomorrow for my weekly visit so that will also reassure my mum.
It shook me a bit as I thought for a moment that they had actually taken some money but thankfully no financial harm done (need to check the bank account every day though).
Thanks to you, @polly, @misty, @Gordon and @CJD and all for your kind words and support.
@AJA – One thing that has just crossed my mind, is that you can ask your mothers telephone provider just allow incoming calls from friends and family, any any other numbers she can trust, no other calls will get through, the same also applies to mobile phones.
BT Call protect could be an option.
What BT Call Protect can do
Automatically divert calls from international, withheld, or unrecognised numbers,Create a personal blacklist of up to 100 numbers
Automatically block certain types of callers,Send calls from certain categories to your junk voicemail
Identify your VIPs,You can check your junk voicemail box by dialing 1572 at any time.
This is just an example, there are many options, depending on what provider you have, this would put your mind as well as your mothers mind at rest.
My mother is 94 years old, lives an independent life, with my sister visiting daily, but could be vulnerable, so it is a great option.Hope this helps!
I can also suggest an Aqua card – other cards for people with “poor credit” exist – because it has such a low limit, you can be as low as £500.
It was a bit of a stop-loss thing for my mum, when up till then she had an MBNA with a £15k limit!
(and her debit card stayed locked away!)
(and our local branch knew who we both were, and were happy to phone me)We booked a Virgin flight to India in October and got a great deal. Flying out economy but flying back upper class. Total cost is 28,000 points and about £660 for the two of us, using the companion voucher. £330 return flight each with upper class thrown in! The flight back leaves 2am so probably the reason why it was only an addition 8,000 more points and £54 each. At least there are comfy beds if we want but I suspect we will likely be up a fair amount of time to enjoy the experience!
Hi there
I’m trying (and failing) to get Qatar award flights between KUL and LHR. I’ve seen there is availability between KUL and DOH. If I book this leg, can I book the second leg at a later date then Qatar air join the tickets up for me (so I don’t have to get bags and checkin etc again)?
Thanks!
If you are on an aer lingus mixed itinerary ticket (eg short haul economy than long haul business to America) do you get business class benefits at origin? (Lounge, fast track security, boarding etc)
Just got an email from Crowne Plaza Felbridge in relation to my upcoming stay next week –
I am writing to inform you that Crowne Plaza Felbridge – Gatwick will no longer be owned by HICP Limited or operated by Valor Hospitality Europe Limited and will no longer be associated with IHG or Crowne Plaza brand.
With effect from 22nd January 2025 (“The Effective Date”), the management of Crowne Plaza Felbridge will transfer to Elite Venue Selection
I have cancelled my stay……
If you are on an aer lingus mixed itinerary ticket (eg short haul economy than long haul business to America) do you get business class benefits at origin? (Lounge, fast track security, boarding etc)
At the time you booked, were you given a choice of any seat on board the short haul flight – including row 1?
We booked a Virgin flight to India in October and got a great deal. Flying out economy but flying back upper class. Total cost is 28,000 points and about £660 for the two of us, using the companion voucher. £330 return flight each with upper class thrown in! The flight back leaves 2am so probably the reason why it was only an addition 8,000 more points and £54 each. At least there are comfy beds if we want but I suspect we will likely be up a fair amount of time to enjoy the experience!
Congratulations. That’s a good deal.
Though UC on the way out would’ve been better as you’ll get clubhouse access.
If it’s BLR, you’ll likely get to enjoy the fabulous 080 lounge, if it’s open at that time.
The return flight is a night flight (obviously), but it’s going to be dark outside throughout the flight, so might get some stares if you keep lights on staying up!@Bibby 135 Crowne Plaza Felbridge . I suspect its being handed over for Asylum Seekers. Has happened to a local Best Western close to home.
Just got an email from Crowne Plaza Felbridge in relation to my upcoming stay next week –
I am writing to inform you that Crowne Plaza Felbridge – Gatwick will no longer be owned by HICP Limited or operated by Valor Hospitality Europe Limited and will no longer be associated with IHG or Crowne Plaza brand.
With effect from 22nd January 2025 (“The Effective Date”), the management of Crowne Plaza Felbridge will transfer to Elite Venue Selection
I have cancelled my stay……
According to Companies House filings, Elite Venue Selection appears to be owned by Britannia Hotels.
Bibby135, Camflyer Re Britannia Hotels and Asylum seekers. A Britannia hotel in Manchester, with a few hundred asylum seekers, got flooded out a week back. I suspect they need new spaces.
P2’s BA club email address has received a targeted 60k BAPP sign up bonus. Looks like might be open to all https://www.britishairways.com/content/executive-club/avios/collecting-avios/credit-cards/gb-companion-vouchers#:~:text=British%20Airways%20American%20Express%20Premium,below%20by%2025%20February%202025.
If you are on an aer lingus mixed itinerary ticket (eg short haul economy than long haul business to America) do you get business class benefits at origin? (Lounge, fast track security, boarding etc)
Can’t remember if I got fast track, but Aer Lingus did send me a lounge pass for MAN-DUB when I last did MAN-DUB-ORD in mixed classes
I closed my land line phone number when our fibre got upgraded recently as I concluded that I don’t use it anymore although scammers call me on it. I also never answer any mobile number calling from Manchester or Glasgow as they are always scam callers (sorry to readers up north)
Lol – I’m worse than that, I usually don’t answer calls where the number isn’t in my contacts – if they really want me they’ll leave a voice mail or contact me by other means!
And in retort – my worst caller currently is a London number which belongs to a company chasing timeshare compensation (not strictly a scam but very annoying!)
Lol – I’m worse than that, I usually don’t answer calls where the number isn’t in my contacts – if they really want me they’ll leave a voice mail or contact me by other means!
And in retort – my worst caller currently is a London number which belongs to a company chasing timeshare compensation (not strictly a scam but very annoying!)
Gosh, I didn’t know that timeshare was still a thing. How annoying for you.
@Misty, we’ve owned 2 timeshare weeks for many years and get terrific value out of them but at some point this company has got my phone number and of course it’s very hard to get rid of them! You can block them but they then just use another number.
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