“I’m calling about your accident” – how does this scam work?

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

..or you just put a post-it note over the lens..

pgk

[Don CoxParticipant @doncox80133]

For quite a while now, BT has changed the policy on who controls the call. Originally it was always the incoming caller who could hold your line even after you, the called party, had "hung up" (it used to be for up to two metering periods when I worked for them). This was used to good effect by scammers who told you to call the security number on your bank card to verify what they had just told you about your account being raided was true.

Because of this, the system was changed to enable what is known in the trade as first party clearing, ie the called party can clear the call by hanging up and the line is freed. Since this facility has been available I have taken delight in explaining it to nuisance callers, with the parting shot of "I will now demonstrate this to you."

I don't know if other providers have this facility, it might be worth trying it out on the next incoming friendly call you have.

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