What is this scam?

[jefmcg]

I'd thought that the reason you got a dead line is that they want to make sure that their call centre droids are never idle, so a computer dials your number in expectation that an operator would be free. Sometimes they are not. The call centre would rather waste your time than have a worker sit for a few seconds waiting for you to pick up.

(but @classic33 might be right, I'm speaking hearsay)

 

[classic33]

I'd thought that the reason you got a dead line is that they want to make sure that their call centre droids are never idle, so a computer dials your number in expectation that an operator would be free. Sometimes they are not. The call centre would rather waste your time than have a worker sit for a few seconds waiting for you to pick up.

(but @classic33 might be right, I'm speaking hearsay)

Call a number that you know is dead and listen. It's not the same response as when a person picks the phone up but stays silent.
Your number is then marked as active/inactive depending on the response.

 

[jefmcg]

Ofcom likes my explanation.

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/tackling-nuisance-calls-and-messages/abandoned-and-silent-calls/

They also offer advice on what to do about them.

 

[DRM]

I think the activity checker is correct, my work mobile was getting bombarded by these type of calls, so I just didn't answer, within a couple of weeks they stop, however it seems that when the list of numbers are sold on, they start again, if you answer then you end up being bombarded again constantly.

 

[Illaveago]

Best never to answer the phone.

But it might be someone telling me that I had won the Nigerian lottery.

 

[srw]

I have been on the receiving end of one of these in public liability and and the impression the loss adjuster gave me was unless it is a claim that is north of 50k the insurance company won't put up a fight as the risk of losing and getting hit with all the costs plus the damages means it is often cheaper to write a cheque and ultimately cover it with everyone's increased premiums

Anyone who believes this is likely to be surprised by the fraud conviction that will follow....

 

[srw]

Ofcom likes my explanation.

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/tackling-nuisance-calls-and-messages/abandoned-and-silent-calls/

They also offer advice on what to do about them.

You're right. The operating model of an outbound contact centre is to dial the number before the operator is free. If memory serves, OfCom allows a maximum of something like 2% of dead calls like this, but since it does piss people off reputable companies try and avoid them.

You don't (or at least BT doesn't) need to make a phone call to check that a line is live.

 

[srw]

Oh, and for completeness, the claims handling companies' operating model was attacked by the LASPO act a couple of years ago, which limited cost recovery in relatively simple personal injury cases, and there's promise of another case to come, which means they're making hay while the sun shines. They're also about to be regulated by the FCA, who will be tough on them.

Of course the simple thing to do would be to ban referral fees, but that's too obvious for the government.

 

[jefmcg]

I once got a text on my phone, "have you been in an accident ....". I responded yes - just to see - and a few seconds later my phone rang. A woman said "I'm from <something indistinct> and I am ringing about your accident", I replied "Sorry, what is the name of your company?" and she just hung up! It must have been a total scam, as that simple question ruled me out as a mark. They must have been looking for compliant idiots.

 

[PeteXXX]

I have a couple of BT 8500 phones. No cold calls, no scammers, just numbers I have allowed. Others have to announce who they are. They usually don't!
£49 the pair. I needed a new phone anyway and got these a while ago.
Sorted.

 

[Globalti]

We are on the Telephone Preference Service list and we don't get nuisance calls.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I have a couple of BT 8500 phones. No cold calls, no scammers, just numbers I have allowed. Others have to announce who they are. They usually don't!
£49 the pair. I needed a new phone anyway and got these a while ago.
Sorted.

Yup, I have those too.

Its nice having a quiet life, though I do miss my long rambling chats with Microsoft IT virus division.

 

[snorri]

Its nice having a quiet life, though I do miss my long rambling chats with Microsoft IT virus division.

I have had to arrange replacement of of a couple of double glazed units in my home recently. The Microsoft wallah couldn't quite get his head around the fact that I had already contacted a glazing company to fix the problem with my Windows, the problem he was just about to tell me about, he even had to call in his supervisor.
I think it was my description of the vapour between the windows that caused his consternation.

 

[RichardB]

We are on the Telephone Preference Service list and we don't get nuisance calls.

I have been on that for years. It cut the number of calls, but did not eliminate them. Solution of choice today is:

1. Landline with a Trucall call minder - from 15-20 nuisance calls a day to zero in 24 hours.

2. Any missed call from an unknown number on my mobile gets checked on whocallsme.com and is then blocked. For some reason, I never get live calls from these people, only notifications of a missed call. Now down to perhaps 2 a month. Plus I never give my mobile number on web forms etc, only my landline. My wife is a bit less cautious than I am and she gets hundreds of nuisance calls.

If I could do without a telephone I would. I hate them.

 

[Illaveago]

I have had to arrange replacement of of a couple of didble glazed units in my home recently. The Microsoft wallah couldn't quite get his head around the fact that I had already contacted a glazing company to fix the problem with my Windows, the problem he was just about to tell me about, he even had to call in his supervisor.
I think it was my description of the vapour between the windows that caused his consternation.

I had a similar instance to that . The chap on the other end told me to look at my computer, he didn't tell me to switch it on and couldn't understand why the screen was blank. In the end he asked me how old I was?