Vocal Voices

It seems that the scams are ramping up whilst we're all at home.

I'm receiving BT text messages about unpaid bills (account says theyre paid) and a new one this week, pretty insistent, telling me to phone them as I have been detected for HMRC fraud. If I don't phone them back the police will be at the door...…… I think they got the message when I cut the call after 5 seconds the second time.

Something to be worth being prepared for. For reference HMRC do everything by post and notify by email too. They will ask for reams and reams of paperwork before taking any action, will notify you all the way and then will only take action if you are unwilling or unable to repay their documented shortfall.

Only then are they likely to go to court and you will receive notices many times in writing before it.

Anyone who insists you call back is a scam. Anyone who comes at you out of the blue and says HMRC has made an independent decision without your input is a scam. Anyone who wants you to pay, immediately, by card or by bank transfer is a scam. Even if they have cloned the local HMRC phone number.

Interesting to see these have reached France?
We get them all the time. "This is your broadband provider.. " and "This is Amazon...". I just hang up. It's annoying though.

Wise words, though, and worth constant airing.

Yes, and thank you

And don't forget ---your Pay Pal account will be closed unless

Apparently the HMRC one js extremely threatening and very high pressure if you call back.

I have to say that we have had absolutely no scam calls whatsoever since Covid started - in any case I don’t answer if I don’t recognise the number.

We have been getting phone calls to say my internet will be disconnected if I don't press 1 on the phone. Different number each time.
Unfortunately, my fingers wont reach 1.

I've often received a number of calls where no-one seems to be at the other end. I usually make a note of the number and look it up on the "who-called-me" website on the internet. And that invariably confirms to me it's O2 ....