I had a call today. It was the one that they tell you that your washing machine warranty has expired and need to renew it.
“Oh right says I, what make is the washing machine in question?”
Mumble mumble, “wrong “ says I, and hung up.
Oh you should play him along. Keep him talking for as long as you can, asking questions, saying encouraging things, sounding generally interested and enthusiastic.
I’ve done that in the past and I can assure you, if you have the time to spare, it can be particularly rewarding.
Of course, he won’t be your friend afterwards! 
Yes. In these days when in self isolation, it just makes the day a bit more interesting, even to talk to another human being. Even if it is a load of rubbish.
Oh no. That’s not it.
The real purpose is to keep them occupied for as long as possible on the grounds that they can’t be bothering some other people whilst they are tied up talking to you.
I look upon it as a voluntary public service.
I had a peculiar one on my landline the other day.
I rarely answer the phone when it rings, always let it go to a/phone and if it’s someone I know I answer it then.
Anyway, I answered this one as I thought it was my sister. It wasn’t.
It was some computer type voice about BT fraud (I think). I didn’t really listen but hung up after a few seconds.
Did 1471:
00407250503903
Anyone had this one? Seems such a long number.
Apparently from Romania, (“Who called me” service)
But not many complaints yet.
But, if you don’t know the caller, you probably don’t want to!
Some just use an automated calling machine, attach it to an outgoing phone line (or many) and start ringing every combination of numbers up to about 10 to 12 digits long.
If anyone picks up, they collect that number as “active”. Often they don’t even speak to the picker up, as the list of active numbers which they create, country by country, is of great value to marketeers, even those we think would not stoop so low, but will profit from knowing where active lines are.
But then, it’s easier to use than a phone book.
When I moved house after the breakup of my marriage I had to get a new phone. I only gave the new ex directory number to 3 places, my parents, my doctor, my bank. After a short time the calls started, not scammers but double glazing and conservatorys sellers. This was a good while back.
Anyway, I spoke to my parents who swore they hadn’t given it out, I spoke to the doctors surgery who informed me they would never do that. The bank was the guilty party and it seemed they sell lists of their customers numbers. I was fuming and fell out with them, I had to pay to change my number again and I didn’t tell the bank. It was a very long time before I got any more calls.
The bank?! They have no business doing that.
May I ask which bank it was?
I’m with First Direct and although I have never given them my phone number (as they don’t telephone their customers), I have telephoned them quite a lot as that is the best way to deal with them, so I suppose they will now have my number. (They do a lot over the internet now, but it’s quite a complicated procedure to go through due to security.)
It was The Clydesdale Bank. Not with them anymore.
Eeeek! I’m with the Yorkshire Bank Roxy, who are a subsidiary of the Clydesdale, they have just been taken over by ‘Virgin Money’…:shock:
Oh dear. A Scottish bank! 
Good Lord. The Yorkshire Bank, which I used to be with (being the best, of course) now a subsidiary of a Scottish bank and, to make matters even worse, a Virgin organisation! :shock:
I know JB, if it wasn’t so much trouble I would be done with them when Virgin Money took over, but where would I go…?
First Direct, of course!
[SIZE=“1”]And Marge swears by the Co-op bank.[/SIZE]
Believe nothing that pops up while you’re on the net.
I’ve had a few of those. Also don’t answer your phone unless you know who it is.
Yep, exactly what I do. If it’s genuine they will leave a message and you can either interrupt it or call back.
Track & Trace scam
Beware, a new scam in today’s paper:
Quote
"Fraudsters are impersonating staff fro the NHS track and trace app.
Police were last night probing reports of scammers demanding £50 payments over the phone for Covid-19 home-testing kits.
The criminals falsley claim victims have been near someone with the virus and demand bank details.
One person targeted said: ‘They said I needed to self-isolate immediately for seven days and pay them £50 to send me the test and to process the results. I think a lot of edlerly and vulnerable people will have been taken in. It’s disgraceful.’
Action Fraud said: " We’re aware of this scam and have put messaing out on our website and social media."
Other scams have included fake government emails containing link to steal financial information.
Unquote.
So there you go, it didn’t take long for the scams with track and trace to start, did it!
Terrible isn’t it Mups I have always said if they put their minds to legitimate activities they would all be millionaire’s.