Tuesday, September 26, 2006

sometimes it's ok to not return a call....

please read this letter published on the straits times forums today, about a phone scam:
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Don't call back if you get this phone number

Sep 26, 2006
The Straits Times

IF YOU get a missed call starting with +861 (the full number is +8613713467924), do not call back.

It's the latest prank which could incur you high IDD charges unknowingly. My colleague's husband happened to return the call and it was an answering machine. He was shocked to see an enormous phone bill when he received it later. He then approached the service provider, but it could not reverse the charges. He had no choice but to pay up.

On Aug 30, I also received the same missed call. Luckily I did not return the call as it was an anonymous phone number. So, beware of such callers.

Lynn Lee
Senior Staffing Specialist
GMP Recruitment
A division of The GMP Group
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i've been following the forum discussion on cozycot for a few weeks, looks like many people have been receiving such calls recently (including myself). fortunately that "+861.........." number showed up as a missed call on my phone (think it was on a weekend some weeks back) and i chose to ignore it. initially i was unsuspicious and thought that was a business associate in china whom i've been working on a project with, good thing i didn't call back.

i've been warning my family and friends about this too. not exactly sure how this phone scam works at ripping off our money, but doesn't hurt to be wary anyway if you receive calls from "+861.........." numbers you don't recognise.

2 comments:

^cherie said...

Uh huh.. i've read about it too and kena as well. But it seems like the calls have stopped for a while now. It's been 2 weeks since i last received one *phew*

celest said...

yea, i've not received the call since the one and only time i missed it. i've also since began to switch off my mobile phone when i'm asleep. used to leave it on (ringtone) and placed by the side of my bed, afraid i'd miss some urgent calls.... :P