Strange callers to mobile, 0703 and 02920822640
Ever had a call from an 0703 number that rang once, and then cut off?
Getting missed calls from 02920822640 or another 0292 number?
Have had multitudes from both, and they share a common link. Both are ‘scam’ numbers, but they operate in different ways, and they seem to be on the rise.
0703 numbers look, to all intents and purpose like just another mobile caller, but they hide a very devious surprise. They are actually private numbers, which anyone can lease, and then re-direct to any number they like, quite often a premium rate at 50p per minute or above. This has led to a scam where the receiver (me for example) gets a call, which stops after one ring. If you were then to call back, you would probably here a lot of noise, and someone shouting “hello, hello” in the background as though you have a bad connection. Unfortunately this is just a recording, and having got you to call back, the scammer has now pocketed his cut of the premium rate number charge you have just incurred.
02920822640 is a different beast however in that it is actually a ‘proper’ company, called Communications Direct, who have a computer system that ‘guesses’ phone numbers. A rep then calls you up and tries to sell you a contract phone from one of the big companies such as 3 or T-Mobile. As these are unsolicited, and dubious tactics are used to sell the contracts (such as pretending to be from 3 or T-Mobile etc) they have received quite a few complaints. Try ‘googling’ Communications Direct complaints.
Supposedly we have a regulator that stops all this, but it is useless. Ofcom seems to be far more interested in appeasing big business, than it does in actually doing it’s real job, which is to regulate the communications industry. It doesn’t even have a way for people to complain directly to them, instead pointing them to another site to register complaints about mobile mis-selling. Get your act together OFCOM and stop trying to appease the British music industry.
UPDATE – http://www.craigknighton.co.uk/wordpress/things-to-do-next-week-and-02920822637-calling-now/
I am Me
hi there, have been getting theese nusiance calls for over a week now, really annoying is that they actually hang up on me when i answer it. now i know who it is i will not bother to answer, page really helpful and worth looking at, its too easy nowadays to get conned!!!!
Hi, thanks for leaving a comment.
I think once the ‘credit crunch’ really bites, there will be more companies employing these dodgy tactics, and with a regulator that is next to useless, more people will get ripped off.
Hi, I kept getting missed calls from 02920822640 and 02920822637 whilst I was working on a holiday camp. I thought I was missing something important. Thanks for letting me know that they were calls worth missing.
Glad my ‘story’ was a help.
Seems to be lots of people getting these nuisance calls, as this page and the phone numbers are the most popular term for entry into this site!
Hi Craig, same here, your story was of a real help for me too! Thank God I suddenly had the idea of looking things up on the Internet, and found it. Many thanks from me too.
In my case it happened similar as what maryanne describes above, with the difference that I kept receiving these strange phone calls for a few weeks before, on both my mobile & landline numbers, then they’ve stopped for a short while, then they restarted again, but this time going witheld – by that time I’ve already realised there must be something suspicious about them (it all became a little too obvious), so I’ve stopped answering them etc. Then again they’ve stopped for another short while. But now they restarted, AGAIN! I’m even thinking to change my mobile number, maybe this will work. I don’t even know…
I fell for them at the very beginning, as they were leaving me voice messages to ring back regarding some made up jobs etc (as I soon was about to disappointingly realise). They were pretending to be from some employment agencies and claiming that they “came across my CV online”. The persons leaving me the voicemail messages even knew my name and some personal details, and the fact that I was looking for a job at that time etc, but the ‘jobs’ they were pretending to offer were all bogus and imaginary/made up, they never existed, because they’ve stopped contacting me as soon as things were becoming more serious (e.g. booking a job interview with them & co). I’m even thinking that this might have something to do with some people from an employment agency I went for a job a while ago and then fell off with them etc, and maybe now they’re looking to revenge (they’d have no real/serious reason to, I think I never gave them one, as far as I’m concerned), and maybe they’re all connected and work together with the phone scammers etc – maybe secretly they ARE phone scammers also, as an additional source of income that no one knows of. Even the various persons contacting me, were giving me bogus names & details, and I thought I’d recognised one of them’s voice, it was the same with a bloke’s working for that employment agency I fell off with, only that he was acting under a bogus name. Sometimes they were sending me details of some imaginary jobs, by email as well, but claiming they were from some of the serious employment agencies, when I discovered they weren’t, they were just using some details/data from those companies’ websites etc (and asking me to check online that those companies existed and had websites, if I wanted to make sure about their seriousness), just so they’d appear to have more credibility. Maybe I should report all this stuff to the Police, to the Fraud Department etc; maybe I should try and file a complaint against these persons that I am suspecting… I think it has a bit of everything in it: harassment; stalking; invasion of privacy; disclosing my personal details without my permission; falsely impersonating some employees from various recruitment agencies & acting in their names, stealing data etc. Not to mention bullying and discriminating while I had my attempts in working with them (actually this was the real reason I left for). And so on… I think this is nothing but some sort of fraud, as well. In my opinion, they’re no different than the ones doing phishing or CC cracking/ID thefts over the Internet etc. So, maybe this problem should be treated more seriously by the authorities and tackled as much as possible.
Hello K
That sounds very serious, and you should go to the police. Harassment, and cyber bullying are very much on the rise, and as far as I am aware treated a lot more harshly now a days. Hand over the details to the police and leave it up to them to pursue it. Nobody should have to put up with that kind of abuse and harassment.
hi, i have had a few calls from the 02920822640 number on my mobile, the one time i answered they hung up.
thought perhaps the idea was for me to call back to find out who it was thus costing me a hefty phone bill that they somehow benefit from.
really irritating but atleast now i know.
thanks
Hi, I’ve had lots of phone calls over the last few weeks from the 02920822640 number on my mobile, luckily I haven’t answered it. A collegue told me to do a google search.Thanks for the info now I definately won’t answer any of there calls.
Hello Marie and Caroline.
Glad that my humble blog has been of service
This post and other about Communications Direct and the 0292 phone numbers now gets over 750 visits from search engines per month.
Thanks for the help i just had 1 today hung up after taking the call won’t be fooled next time warned the mrs as well.cheers
I just had one from 02920822632, but contrary to what the employee of theirs said last year, they are seeming to get some info, because I transferred my 02 number to t-mobile (so it’s not just guessing), plus roughly when my contract was up, and what I was on.
I like others received a call from these people today but was unable to answer it at he time.Before ringing back I decided to look up the number on the net which directed me to this site.I would just like to say a very big thankyou for the very relevant information.Now I know I don’t want to ring 02920822640 back !!.Who sells our mobile telephone numbers to these disreputable companies anyway ?
I too am now thinking of changing my number as once this starts happenning I don’t believe it will end with me not answering the call as obviously they got a connection when they dialled my number
I have just called these people direct on 0870 9500785 and asked to be taken off thier data base. I did say that if they continue to pester me, i will send them a present from my dog, which he produces on a regular basis…suggest you do the same!
I’ve just had a similar type call from a number +23222270855. Have googled it and gone on numerous reverse telephone number sites and all say it is an invalid number but it definately made my phone ring and cut off and then listed as a missed call.
Might just be the next new scam? but if not does anyone know what it is?
Jezabel – +232 seems to be the calling code for Ghana?
Good job I didn’t call it back! As I have no dealings with anyone in Ghana then I’m guessing its another scam! all be warned !!!
Hi there,
Anyone knows how to block this 0703 numbers? I have been receiving calls from them and I am not sure where they come from as I am pretty sure they are not from the UK.
I hope this is not another scam.
Thanks for the info re the 0292 number – these people have been calling me a couple of times a day for the past two weeks but I refuse to answer (I only answer numbers I recognise). Still, I was curious as to whom it might be so I Googled the number and your website came up straight away. Once again thanks for the information…
Anyone trying to find a soulmate or new partner watch out! – they are around on the “matching” websites and get you to ring back them back on an 0703 number. Sick sods! prob just cost me a fortune! shame that cos I have just been made redundant!
I just had a missed call from a number 07033340885…..so i decided to put the number in google to see if i could find out what area/ network the number belonged to,i didnt find anything, but i saw (0703 numbers) then i came across this thread, and boy am I glad i did.
I noticed this posts are quite old which means this scam has been going on for a while, only then did it occur to me now that it has happened to me too sometime last year. Like most of the other comments on here, i recieved a call from an 0292 number last year, i was at work at the time which meant i couldnt answer my phone, so on my break i decided to call the number back first with my mobile ,then asked the person i spoke to that i missed the call and if she could call me back , and she said she was sorry she couldnt…As i was looking for another job at the time, i decided to call the number again but this time with my work phone) , the person at the other end then started by saying , she noticed my mobile phone contract with my current provider would soon be ending and would like to give me some of the available options they had, i then noticed that what could have taken 5mins max was then dragging on, told her i had to let her go as she was the one trying to sell me her product, and she had to call me back , then i hung up…..guess what !!! she never called back
Thanks a lot for the thread, it really helped.
Slim
When I found out on google who these people were (Com dir) I saved their number under Don’t answer, so now when they phone me and Don’t answer comes up I just reject the call. It’s only costing them money.
Hi Craig, thanks for taking the time to look out for others,what would we do without your kind, I myself no longer answer calls that i dont know the number after being scammed on a pay as you go mobile last year,you probably heard about the (courier scam).Well i was a victim to the tune of a cool £20 top up. i have had upto no 18 calls from 02920822640 in the last week and when this happens i ALWAYS check online with the likes of yourself,thanks once again.
Glad to be of assistance!
I had a call from this number today but as the number looked so weird i didnt answer it, and decided to google the number instead. Glad i came upon this thread. Thank you!
I met someone on date site who said he was down on his luck and just gave me a new mobile no to call begins with Nigaria 0703 in virw of the aboe comments am i right to be suspicious
0703 are premium rate numbers used by scammers as they look like UK mobile codes. Do not call.
I just had a call from 02920822640 which stopped after about 3 rings, your post has been very helpful & informative, thanks for putting this info out there.
Glad to be a help.
Hi Dave,
I thought I was psychotic, having this intense gnawing feeling that there was a scam behind a man I made contact with through a Christian dating site. He said he worked on an oil rig in the North Sea about 450kms from Aberdeen. He used an 0703 number and initially didn’t share it with me for about two weeks, then there was apparently a sudden emergency and he called me but after a few minutes asked if I could call him back. He said his daughter and housekeeper had been involved in a car accident and were unconscious in hospital. While I was supporting him as best I could through this supposed crisis he asked me to transfer 800 pounds sterling through Western Union to a doctor whose mobile number and a street address he provided. When I called the Dr’s number provided I could not connect, out of genuine concern to assist my new friend I searched him on the internet and contacted his surgery to get more information with regards to the amount and method of transfer and of course the condition of the patients. The doctors receptionist had no records of this patient and referred me to another doctor by the same surname who also had no records of the patients, neither did the local hospitals in the area. When my “friend” found that I had tried to contact the doctor he became very controlling and abusive saying that I should just follow his instruction without question and transfer the money as there are lives involved. I would like to know how to trace this number and report it so that no other innocent woman is mislead by this unethical and indiscreet behaviour. Please advise.
Shanad
hi,
ive had calls from 02920 all this week, im always afraid its the bank so didnt answer lol in the last few weeks ive also had another scam number call me which i googled and its some company in nblackpool trying to get credit card details. Thanks to your blog and the internet i now know not to call back or answer.
I dont know if its a connection but my contract is up soon for the mobile.
These calls are annoying!
Thanks x
Have had this number ringing twice today, three times in the last week. Haven’t answered the call as the number looks suspect, and don’t answer any calls if I don’t know who’s ringing. Had another number ring yesterday which I did answer as I was waiting for a call from my daughter who’s on holiday and was unsure of the dialling code. Turned out to be a someone who claimed to be ringing from 3 trying to sell me a different price plan, promise of free phone etc, usual sales stuff. Have googled this number too and it turns out this is yet another scam. Probably best just to ignore any numbers that ring that you don’t recognize. If it’s any one genuine they will leave a voicemail message. These people never do as they don’t let the number they are calling , ring long enough for it to go on to voicemail, if it did it would cost them money!
I knew 0703 or 0702 (in some cases) looks dodgy. So looked it up on google like most other and got the reward of not bothering about it anymore. Thanks Craig
Received two calls today – first from 020 8367 0800, and secondly 02920 822 640. What’s the point in being ex-directory???
Seemingly no point.
No point to registering with the TPS either, and very little point in complaining to OFCOM it seems.
Ive just had a call from the 02920 822 640 no, I did answer as I hadnt a clue its a scam no. Anyway, they knew my name and said my contract was due for renewal. What I want to know, is how they get ur details?
Are these calls reverse charge/premium rate? If they aren’t, play a little game and see how long you can keep them on the phone and get your own back.
had a call from this number a couple of days ago. actually thought it was something to do with the fact that i had entered my phone number into the “compare the market” website to look for insurance and assumed it was an insurance company calling me so that’s why i didn’t answer. did anyone else get the calls after using a price comparison website?
also got call from another number 01792 472 188 today which i didnt answer but looking at other web sources is also a nuisance sales call
Hi
ive just received a call fromm 02920822640, which as most people on here i have ignored and googled,
I have worked directly for t mobile, o2 and orange so know a little about the industry.
If as all of my searches suggest this nos is associated with an independant mobile company it explains all the access to information such as name, address, contract term even handset details as they will have live access to any mobile networks databases they connect/upgrade to. They pretend youve authourised them to check on your upgrade status.
The majority of main networks will not call a customer direct and if they do it would be from a recognisable nos to that network or if purchased from one of their stores a local staff member may call you and invite you to an official network store to upgrade.
The best way to combat this and any company like them is to ring your network provider and register complaints, not only can they help block calls etc but networks hate independants that try to pass themselves off as them plus with enough complaints they will cease trading with the company.
Also if you are getting multiple calls from these nos you can register an official complaint with the police, who have specific teams who deal with nuisance/unsolicited calls
Just had a call from 02920822696 – tried to sell me a new phone deal – asked where they got number from and was told it was publicly available.