© Trevor Windle 2011
Bourne District N.H.W
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BOURNE
Bourne is a small market town, which has a main ‘A’ road running through it, which links Bourne to Peterborough. Bourne has a good make up of small local businesses, which have survived the current economic climate. There are two main shopping areas with a third one recently completed on the outskirts to link with the growth of the town. There are new estates being built, including social housing, part ownership and outright buying. This brings a diverse network of families to the area.
In the local area of Bourne there are four Primary Schools and two secondary schools, which are co-ed, Bourne Grammar and Robert Manning College. This is where about 2,300 students from the surrounding area attend for their secondary education. The night Time Economy has a number of licensed premises with only one Night Club in the Town and there are various eateries in the area.
BILLINGBOROUGH and VILLAGES
There are 21 villages in the local Bourne beat area and these villages are a make up of both large and small hamlets. They are mainly linked to the farming communities, which are both arable and livestock. The larger villages have schools and small local businesses supplying amenities and provisions to locals, this allows local education for the families to avoid traveling to the town. The secondary school in Billingborough is currently going through the process of closure, which will reduce revenue for the local shops. The small hamlets have only about seven or more houses in the area. Where as the larger villages have up to 3-4000 residents
I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill.
He demanded payment immediately of £31.00 or it would be £ 118.00 to re-connect at a later date.
The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
I asked the guy's name - he gave me the very 'English' John Peacock with a
very 'African' accent - & phone number – 0800 0800 152.
Obviously the fellow realized I didn't believe his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would dis-connect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID!!
My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again.
Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there
& then.
I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT.
He hung up.
I dialled 1471 - number withheld
I phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognized.
So I phoned the police to let them know. I wasn't the first! It's only just started apparently, but it is escalating.
Their advice was to let as many people as possible know of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people its real, so please make as many friends & family aware of this.
How is it done?
This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800 152 which takes you through to BT Business.
The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying.
(This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back.
You could almost be convinced!
The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool many.
By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past
merchant services - it is all about getting the credit card details which
include the security number, so that it can be used for far larger
purchases.