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Carphonewarehouse crackdown on phone insurance scam |
axxxr
Joined: Mar 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Londinium
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Via: theregister
The CarphoneWarehouse (CPW) is working with Trading Standards to crackdown on "rogue" companies pestering its customers with offers of cheap mobile phone insurance.
These companies phone punters on the fly, offer cheap insurance by claiming to be working with CPW or a mobile phone network, but never deliver the necessary paperwork to show that customers are covered.
Attempts to contact these insurers to make a claim inevitably ends in frustration and disappointment.
Since CPW never dishes out personal information about its customers, many victims are puzzled as to how these dodgy operators obtained their new mobile phone number in the first place. Well, due to CPW's massive size, it buys blocks of numbers which run consecutively, from the cellcos.
The scamsters simply buy a phone from CPW and dial 500 numbers, say, either side of the one they've bought, calling these numbers continuously until they get connected.
When they do get through, though, that's all they have - a number. However, the fraudsters are very clever at asking the right questions to obtain customers' personal details. In a way, it's a "phishing scam" over the phone.
CPW understands that these rogue insurers are causing its customers "great distress" and says it is "doing all that [it] can to try and put an end to this problem".
CPW declined to say how many people have been caught out, but it explained that it is compiling a database of information about these companies, which are understood to originate from the Swansea area, and is working with Trading Standards in Swansea.
In a letter to those who have been targeted by the scam CPW said it will be using this information "in legal proceedings against the companies involved".
Until then, CPW is looking to highlight the problem to make its customers more aware.
"We are in the process of creating a booklet, which will include a section on these so called 'rogue insurers' and what to do if you're called." The booklet will be available in our 600 UK stores by the end of January," said a spokeswoman for CPW.
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batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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Well how will they catch the phishers?
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axxxr
Joined: Mar 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Londinium
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I think they proberbly go through the Trading standards and the police and use CID powers to trace these numbers and find the locations from where they call.
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batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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Cool, i dont mind getting a phone call when you tick a box saying so. but i hate it when they phone up asking questions...
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dave_uk
Joined: Mar 06, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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You'd mind getting a call from this lot - apparently they're rude and abusive if you don't give them your details!
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fatreg
Joined: Jul 26, 2003
Posts: > 500
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but CPW arent allowed to sell insurance now anyway are they?
after the FSA took over all insurance on 15th Jan.
i heard only Orange Shops were allowed ro see insurance?
fatreg
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Bammers
Joined: Jan 03, 2005
Posts: 250
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Never heard of CPW not being able to sell insurance!
Probably shouldnt say this but tracing numbers, through whatever means, is getting damn near impossible since the "stupid" phone companies brought in "pay as you go" systems. Phones rarely get registered, sims are sold etc. Its a nightmare for police, trading standards etc. I know, I work in that type of industry! So tracking these people down will be damn near impossible, I would say, if you want something go to a shop or website, never buy from someone who thinks you will want something! ie cold calling |
bexter
Joined: Aug 14, 2004
Posts: 5
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Quote:
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On 2005-01-21 00:06:42, fatreg wrote:
but CPW arent allowed to sell insurance now anyway are they?
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Yeah they are allowed to sell insurance. With the FSA taking over, the sales consultants have to be compitent in selling the insurance ie by taking tests specifically designed. I should know, I work there lol. | |
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Access the forum with a mobile phone via esato.mobi
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Posted: 2005-01-20 17:28
