New phone scam?

[akicif]

Just had a call purporting to be from NatWest Credit Card Services - they were cagey about identifying themselves, and eventually gave me a number I could ring them back on (0870 888 12 46 - which doesn't seem to turn up on Google however I break it up), and seemed surprised that I wouldn't give them any more information until I'd rung the number: they said the number was closed at this time of night. I mean, what is the point of giving me a number I can use to verify that they're not a scammer if it's no actual use? "Nice try, mate [click]".

Anyway, I rang the number and yes, it does say the office is closed, but it gives no information about whose office is closed.

This is either a scam or incredibly bad practice on the part of the bank....

Comments

[wolfette]

I've got a NatWest credit card. Their customer services number is NOT closed at this time of night.

[akicif.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought....

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

This sounds like the scam reported locally, to get you to give them the security code off the signature strip on the back of the card.

[antonia-tiger.livejournal.com]

Yes, I came across a mention of that one on alt.callahans

[princealbert.livejournal.com]

Call the number for missing credit cards and ask them if there's any outstanding problems with your card.

If not:
Then call your phone provider (BT/Telewest) and explain that you want the number that called you at XX:XX, (before you called 0870 888 12 46), to report them to the police for creditcard fraud. If they won't give the number then demand they place a note on your account that includes the number and you want a ref number for the cops. Get the bastards.

[fizzyboot.livejournal.com]

This sounds about right.

[joexnz.livejournal.com]

variation on a theme i think

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Actually Natwest fraud dept. is based in Southend, and I'm pretty sure is an 0870 number. Can't remember it though, it's been a while. BT's electronic directory enquiries gives me this, but I'm fairly sure the fraud dept. is another number.

NatWest
Credit Card Operations
Tel: 0870 3339091
PO Box 5636 Southend On Sea SS99 1WJ

[zotz]

You can find a list of Natwest 0845 and 0870 numbeers (and geographic alternatives) here.

[princealbert.livejournal.com]

If it is a scam, they maybe a step ahead.
Call out of office hours and give a legit number they know is closed for the night.

[zotz]

True, yes. 88 whatever's not on the list, anyway, but they don't list it for anyone else either.

I'm sure some years ago I managed to extract details of who was running a number from the Ofcom site, but I couldn't today.

Just to put in my 2 penneth...

[http://users.livejournal.com/dee_/]

I didn't think Natwest Cusotmer Services were still open at this time of night so my trusting nature assumes they were ringing after hours to try selling you some product or other. This reminded me of something my flatmate, who works in a bank, said to me the other day - that due to a stupid new data protection law they must first identify the customer they are calling for before then identifying themselves, so that no-one else will know that they are calling you (e.g. estranged husbands finding out about a wife's bank account he didn't know existed & her sueing the bak for it, etc.). He says it's a right pain in the arse! Of course if they were asking you security questions or for you to give them credit card details (which this same new law apparently means aren't asked for anymore cos of dodgy folk ringing to try wangling details out of people) then it's a good job you hung up!

Phone scam

[nesacat.livejournal.com]

Definitely sounds like a variation on an old theme. Happening a lot here too and they're getting better and better at getting people to give them the security code. Good thing you hung up.