They've pulled the plug on phone scam

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated: 07:20 EST, 25 November 2008

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I have just received an email warning about a telephone scam. Apparently, a card is posted through your door from a bogus company claiming to have been unable to deliver a package. There is a phone number (0906 6611911) to call for more information, but anyone who rings it will immediately be charged £15.

Scam: Beware of premium rate phone cons

The email says the scam has been confirmed by Royal Mail and adds that the Trading Standards Office is making people aware of it.

It goes on: 'Can you circulate this around especially as Christmas is fast approaching.'

I get the feeling this came up at about this time last year. Has no-one done anything about it? A.W., Morecambe, Lancs

Simon Moon from This is Money replies: You're right to have a sense of déjà vu about this warning. It's been around for several years and keeps cropping up even though the authorities put a stop to this bunch of crooks some time ago.

This is what the premium rate phone calls regulator PhonepayPlus – previously known as ICSTIS – says about it: 'This number was used on a scam that PhonepayPlus adjudicated on in 2005. This number is no longer running and has not been running since December 2005. If you receive a copy of the email warning you about the alleged scam, please do not forward it to others. Instead, please forward this information from PhonepayPlus.

'If you would like to find out more about this service or have a question about it you should contact the company that provides this service which is Studio Telecom, 1 Mapp Street, Belize City, Belize, Central America.'

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