SCAM internet access to be disconnected

[StevenJLewis]

01239 041653 called to advise my internet access would be lost and in an American accent to  'press 1 to speak to a technician'.

Suggest BT blocks calls from this number across their telephone network

[pottyperson · Accepted solution]

---

@StevenJLewiswrote:

Suggest BT blocks calls from this number across their telephone network

---

No point as these numbers are usually fake; this one certainly is, as calling it will confirm. If the scammers happen to choose a live number it's doubtful that the owner would appreciate having it blocked.

[Andy_N]

---

@StevenJLewiswrote:

01239 041653 called to advise my internet access would be lost and in an American accent to  'press 1 to speak to a technician'.

Suggest BT blocks calls from this number across their telephone network

---

Hi.

There are a vast amount of these scams going around at the moment, and it's industry wide.

The number will have been spoofed, and the call made from a VoIP system. The number appears to be unused, by is "Free for national dialling" - i.e. dial the whole number only.

OFCOM control and issue the numbers.

[Vet]

I got the same call today, 22nd of January 2019. Again, a Canadian American accent and a fictitious number 01842 093 147 saying my internet will be disconnected. I just put the phone down

[alananne]

Had a similar call 20 minutes ago "using" 07705741525

BT calling with warning.
My line will be closed in next 24 hours because of hacking activity on ISP.
Cultured recorded voice but BT using mobile?

Press 1 or Press 2 to continue but ignoring message for a while cut off call.
Also after months of non-use of landline [only here for the internet] suddenly this is the fourth call in an hour but the first to get as far as playing message.
Reported to BT [the real one!!]

[garethhartwell9]

I got the same call (from 01695 611362 but probably a fake number).  I did press 1 because I was curious where the call would go.  It went to an Indian lady who was obviously in a room with lots of other people - sounded like a very amateur operation with a lot of background noise. From her accent, I think it was probably physically in India or a neighbouring country.

[Andy_N]

---

@garethhartwell9wrote:

I got the same call (from 01695 611362 but probably a fake number).  I did press 1 because I was curious where the call would go.  It went to an Indian lady who was obviously in a room with lots of other people - sounded like a very amateur operation with a lot of background noise. From her accent, I think it was probably physically in India or a neighbouring country.

---

Hi, welcome to the forums.

01695 61 range is allocated to FleXtel Limited.

With regard the room, rather than being in that room with lots of people, these scammers can sometimes play background noise of a busy sounding room - to make people believe it's a large company etc. Whereas it might be a couple of people in a tiny room - anywhere in the world.

[Bubbles1980]

Some times they get lucky. I have been experiencing loads of issues with my BT line, had engineers out the other day etc...all fixed; then got this call today....but after thinking "oh no!" took time out and thought this has got to be a scam....so my advice is any call that is demanding you call back; hang up and do so using the proper customer support line - NEVER, NEVER press a number that "connects" you automatically.

[Flextel]

Flextel confirmed

01239 041653

 has never been connected. So it cannot be dialled and so blocking it is pointless. 

The safest option is to hang up and then dial back after 5 minutes (so the line clears)

Will

Flextel MD

PS BEWARE! 😱 Any number can be spoofed like this always redial if unsure 😐 

[Andy_N]

---

@Flextelwrote:

Flextel confirmed

01239 041653

 has never been connected. So it cannot be dialled and so blocking it is pointless. 

The safest option is to hang up and then dial back after 5 minutes (so the line clears)

Will

Flextel MD

PS BEWARE! 😱 Any number can be spoofed like this always redial if unsure 😐 

---

?

01239 04 range has nothing particular to do with Flextel, it's for full number National dialling according to the Ofcom database.

The blocking is to do with being called "from" the number, not calling the number.

The line should clear in a lot less than 5 minutes. It used to be 90 seconds or so a few years back, but that was reduced to only a few seconds on BT's exchanges about 5 years ago