Phonepayplus warns 'missed call' scammers

Phonepayplus has issued a warning to operators of 076 numbers that it will shut them down and involve the police if they are found to be defrauding consumers.

The premium rate phone line watchdog said it had decided to take pre-emptive action to stop the abuse of such numbers becoming widespread after receiving numerous complaints.

Consumers have reported that they have received 'missed calls' on their mobiles, which when returned have either led to a short message or a dropped call.

The cost of returning these calls from a landline costs from 50p but is usually far more from a mobile.

“Because of the high level of consumer harm that we saw with scams using the 070 numbers and the fact that this seems fairly similar, we thought we needed to put out this pre-emptive notice," said a Phonepayplus representative. "We want to show industry and consumers where we stand on the issue."

According to Phonepayplus, the hook is simply the curiosity about the missed call. One of the problems for consumers is the 0706 numbers can look similar to normal mobile numbers.

But there are also different tariffs on 076 numbers. Some can be charged at 50p per call, while some can be charged at 50p per minute from a landline. Also the cost to the consumer calling from a mobile can be far higher than these charges; depending on the network operator.

Phonepayplus said it had successfully tackled 070 scams; reducing the number of complaints by 69 per cent in the last quarter, and will take a “similarly robust” approach to the latest trick. It has opened an investigation but said at the moment it was not at the stage of looking at individual companies.

However, the watchdog warned it would regulate any service that operates, or appears to operate, as a controlled premium rate service, regardless of whether the numbers involved are designated as premium rate in the Ofcom Numbering Plan. It also warned companies that it will pass information to the police if fraud or conspiracy to defraud consumers is suspected.

Paul Whiteing, Phonepayplus chief executive, said: "We need to ensure consumer confidence in this industry is not undermined by a minority of rogue providers.

"That is why we will consider using our emergency procedure to shut down any service that is operating a 'missed call' scam, pending a full investigation. We will have no tolerance for 076 scams that harm both consumers and damage the industry.

"Where there is any cause for concern, we will take decisive action to protect consumers and work with the industry and all agencies, including Ofcom and the police, to stamp out any and all services that defraud the public."