24 April 2008

Another Mobile Phone Scam?

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Over the last three days, I’ve been receiving calls on my mobile phone from 03 8341 4900. If I answer, it plays a snippet of music (always the same snippet) and then hangs up. If I let it go to voicemail, there’s a recording of a guy saying “…..hello?…..” (always the same recording). I’m wondering if this is a new scam, one that catches those who only call missed numbers if there’s a voicemail message.

If I Google the number, it brings up this page which mentions a “Telstra salesman, trying to sell me a better deal“. I’m wondering if the number is used by phishers for general evil doings.

Or am I being paranoid?

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Forgetting for the moment that this is a couple of year old thread…

You might call back because you don’t have voicemail and want to know who it is.

screaming banshee4:19 pm 27 Apr 11

VanH said :

Why would you ring back??????????

Because for some people, ie small business owners, its a potential customer which equates to revenue stream.

georgesgenitals4:10 pm 27 Apr 11

I agree with the don’t call back option unless you know who they are. If it’s important they will leave a message or call back.

Why would you ring back?????????? If it is really important they will call back! If you don’t know the number and especially if it isn’t local then don’t answer. It really doesn’t get any easier than that. It’s the same as clicking on a link within a spam email…….!

My wifes mobile was getting 5 – 6 calls a day from that number. Its from a marketing company called SalesForce, just call them on 1800 006 747 and they will take the phone numbers you quote off their lists. Also go to https://www.donotcall.gov.au/ and lodge your details there. Companys like SalesForce and Salmat obey that register.

Over the last 3 days I received 5 calls from that same 03 8341-4900 number but on my work land line?

On ringing the number back, I received an RVA (female voice) advising me that “Telstra has recently tried contacting you regarding new products & services – Thank you for your interest.” after which the call dropped out.

As I’m in the Melbourne CBD, the charge should only be a local call.

It’ll be interesting to see whether :
1) I’m charged any additional amount over a local call rate for the call, and
2) Whether I receive follow-on return call sometime over the next few days.

Have you checked with your provider if you’ve rung up any large bills for particular phone calls? I believe some form of national legislation was being passed regarding this type of scam, reducing liability of phone owners for the cost of the calls. Good luck

I had a similar thing a couple of years ago. With mine the mobile phone would ring once and then hang up. I never called the number back but did some research on the Internet. Apparently when you call the number back (which people sometimes do out of curiosity)it routes you through a $4.95 per minute premium number which is billed to your mobile account and at the other end is a pre-recorded message that goes for about 10 minutes talking about how you can win a prize – basically trying to keep you on the phone as long as possible.

Not sure if yours is a similar scam?

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