US Phone Scams
Jan 6th 2005, 5:02 pm
#1
You Are All Diseased
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Farnham, UK
Posts: 4,511
US Phone Scams
I got my phone bill this month only to find a strange charge on it for $16.00. I called my provider and they said that it was a charge that was nothing to do with them. They did point out that there should be a number next to the charge so that I could call the company that it belonged to.
So, I call these guys and demanded to know what the charge was for. They claimed I had ordered a phone card online and this was what the charge was for. After telling them it was a load of BS (I use One Suite, I wouldn't use a phone card), and threatening legal action for billing me with something I didn't order, I finally was given a credit code.
I called back my phone company, gave them the code and had the charge refunded.
If you see any strange charges on your phone, query it. It maybe somebody scamming you and if you ignore it, they'll get away it.
So, I call these guys and demanded to know what the charge was for. They claimed I had ordered a phone card online and this was what the charge was for. After telling them it was a load of BS (I use One Suite, I wouldn't use a phone card), and threatening legal action for billing me with something I didn't order, I finally was given a credit code.
I called back my phone company, gave them the code and had the charge refunded.
If you see any strange charges on your phone, query it. It maybe somebody scamming you and if you ignore it, they'll get away it.
Jan 6th 2005, 5:36 pm
#2
jingling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,123
Re: US Phone Scams
Another thing to think about is how they got your credit card number...fraud or just an indavertent mistake on their part? Things like that always give me the creeps. 
Jan 6th 2005, 5:41 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Chicago, Il
Posts: 1,320
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by jcapulet
Another thing to think about is how they got your credit card number...fraud or just an indavertent mistake on their part? Things like that always give me the creeps.
by phone they don't need your credit card number.. they add it to your bill.
Jan 6th 2005, 5:47 pm
#4
jingling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,123
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by USBound
by phone they don't need your credit card number.. they add it to your bill.
A phone company once tried to scam me into making them my long distance. It was one of those 10-10 numbers which I'd used a few times, they called and asked if I wanted to make it so I didn't have to dial 10-10 etc. anymore for my long distance.
I said no of course.
Jan 10th 2005, 9:52 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by jcapulet
Oops for some reason that did not register in my mind
A phone company once tried to scam me into making them my long distance. It was one of those 10-10 numbers which I'd used a few times, they called and asked if I wanted to make it so I didn't have to dial 10-10 etc. anymore for my long distance. I said no of course.
A phone company once tried to scam me into making them my long distance. It was one of those 10-10 numbers which I'd used a few times, they called and asked if I wanted to make it so I didn't have to dial 10-10 etc. anymore for my long distance.
I said no of course.
Jan 11th 2005, 2:23 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: US Phone Scams
Someone changed my long distance provider twice by going into a Sprint shop and giving them my address and telephone number, they then got some kind of phone card which was linked to my phone bill.
SBC were helpful and took care of everything for me, I got a full refund but I had to change my phone number as a precaution, plus I now have 'slamming' protection.
-tom
SBC were helpful and took care of everything for me, I got a full refund but I had to change my phone number as a precaution, plus I now have 'slamming' protection.
-tom
Jan 11th 2005, 3:17 pm
#7
jingling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,123
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by Patent Attorney
you got the "don't know" long distance company *LOL* And a "what the hell is that charge" on your phone bill for selecting them! *boom boom*
Jan 12th 2005, 3:09 am
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by rincewind
I got my phone bill this month only to find a strange charge on it for $16.00. I called my provider and they said that it was a charge that was nothing to do with them. They did point out that there should be a number next to the charge so that I could call the company that it belonged to.
So, I call these guys and demanded to know what the charge was for. They claimed I had ordered a phone card online and this was what the charge was for. After telling them it was a load of BS (I use One Suite, I wouldn't use a phone card), and threatening legal action for billing me with something I didn't order, I finally was given a credit code.
I called back my phone company, gave them the code and had the charge refunded.
If you see any strange charges on your phone, query it. It maybe somebody scamming you and if you ignore it, they'll get away it.
So, I call these guys and demanded to know what the charge was for. They claimed I had ordered a phone card online and this was what the charge was for. After telling them it was a load of BS (I use One Suite, I wouldn't use a phone card), and threatening legal action for billing me with something I didn't order, I finally was given a credit code.
I called back my phone company, gave them the code and had the charge refunded.
If you see any strange charges on your phone, query it. It maybe somebody scamming you and if you ignore it, they'll get away it.
Jan 12th 2005, 3:15 am
#9
C.G.D.S
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: US Phone Scams
My father in London had something similar happen but it was for around 100 pounds.
If anyone's interested in a long distance service, I use AT&T. It's $24 a month for unlimited day and night calling to the UK. It's saved me literally hundreds.
If anyone's interested in a long distance service, I use AT&T. It's $24 a month for unlimited day and night calling to the UK. It's saved me literally hundreds.
Jan 12th 2005, 3:18 am
#10
You Are All Diseased
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Farnham, UK
Posts: 4,511
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by sibsie
My father in London had something similar happen but it was for around 100 pounds.
If anyone's interested in a long distance service, I use AT&T. It's $24 a month for unlimited day and night calling to the UK. It's saved me literally hundreds.
If anyone's interested in a long distance service, I use AT&T. It's $24 a month for unlimited day and night calling to the UK. It's saved me literally hundreds.
When I run low, I just top up again. No monthly charges.
Jan 12th 2005, 3:36 am
#11
C.G.D.S
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: US Phone Scams
I'll take a look at One Suite. Sounds like a deal and I need a calling plan for Spain to keep in touch with my big sis. Is it a calling card or one of those number prefix thingies?
Jan 12th 2005, 3:40 am
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: US Phone Scams
Originally Posted by rincewind
I use One Suite which works like a Pay As You Go deal. I just top up with $10 when I need to and it gives me around 300 minutes to use for calling the UK.
When I run low, I just top up again. No monthly charges.
When I run low, I just top up again. No monthly charges.
-tom
