"Jono" <nothanks@blueyonder.invalid> wrote in message
news:mn.aca57d72867f0e5b.48968@blueyonder.invalid. ..
> guv presented the following explanation :
>> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:50:17 GMT, "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}"
>> <bhx___spam@trapped___hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> guv wrote:
>>>> A couple of days ago, missus had a missed call on her mobile, which
>>>> left caller ID and she called it back. It rang for a while, then
>>>> connected to an answerphone.
>>>>
>>>> Yesterday, I had the same. Both our numbers are very similar (only
>>>> last 4 digits are different) - though one is O2 the other T-Mobile.
>>>>
>>>> It would appear the number is not included in the free minute bundle
>>>> and chargeable. O2 said it was a premium rate number - so I assume
>>>> this is some arsehole scam to get you to ring a premium rate number
>>>> for no reason whatsoever - and effectively pay them for the
>>>> priviledge!
>>>
>>> 070 numbers are personal / find me anywhere numbers.
>>
>> OK - cheers for that! Must have been a strange coincidence1
>
> No, definitely a scam.
>
> Company A provides company B with an 070XX number.
>
> Company B calls you & presents their 070XX number & hang up before you can
> answer. Curiosity causes you to call the number back - a casual glance at
> the number makes you think it's a mobile number.
>
> Company A owns company B, so the scammers make a profit on the 37ppm call
> charge.
>
> They use this convoluted setup as the user of the 070XX number (Company
> is not allowed to share revenue

It's even worse than that. The "follow me" personal number can route to a
premium rate number. I was stupidly stung by this and ended up paying £4 for
1 call. The crazy thing about the scam is that the caller pays for the
effectively diverted part of the call.

Gareth.