"Paul Cummins" <agree2pay4uce@spam.vlaad.co.uk> wrote in message
news:memo.20070222221920.2120A@admin.vlaad.co.uk.. .
> In article <45ddde3a$0$32021$fa0fcedb@news.zen.co.uk>,
> hotmail.com@dgareth.spm (Gareth) wrote:
>
>> The crazy thing about the scam is that the caller pays for the
>> effectively diverted part of the call.
>
> Only in the sense that you pay the rate (max 50p a minute) for the 070
> leg.

No - if the call diverts to a premium rate line you can end up paying huge
amounts. Whever or not people "believe it" it bloody well happens - I have
clear bill evidence of being charged when someone using one of my phones
fell foul of the scan (3 calls lasting less than 30 seconds each ended up
costing nearly £8). A 1 minute ringing tone emulated call can easily cost a
relatively large amount of money (£2 pounds for a few seconds connection)
with a mobile phone.

I complained to Ofcom (who took the complaint seriously) when one of my
phones fell foul of the scam (it cost about £4 for 1 call and more in
total). Can I suggest that other people also complain to Ofcom. This really
is a nasty scam with *huge* income generating potential. It's odd that
people are minimising the impact of the scam - especially when there's clear
evidence that premium rate style charges can be levied.

Dear Mr X



Possible 070 - Numbers Scam



Thank you for drawing this matter to Ofcom's attention.



We will look into this matter further and take action if we find that the
firm in question has acted in breach of the General Conditions of
Entitlement.



As a result of sections 96 and 97 of the Act, Ofcom now has the power to
impose financial penalties against firms that breach the General Conditions
of Entitlement.



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