HMRC Fraud Investigation , random call

[AleisterCrowley]

Well, earlier today I got a recorded message from 'HMRC' - apparently there's a fraud case against my name. Oooh. They asked me to press 1 to talk to them or face arrest immediately
Clearly I didn't press 1, and being arrested would have livened up a dull day, but no sign of the rozzers yet

What would have happened if I had pressed 1? Is it just a premium rate scam, or would they have attempted to get bank details etc?
Is it worth reporting to the real HMRC?

[didds]

not sure what pressing 1 does ... Id imagine if you report to HMRC they'll be very sympathetic, but they most definitely know of these scams going on and they can do the square root of stuff all about them

[XFool]

It's presumably some spiel after you are connected to a high rate number.

There's likely a lot of it about. I haven't experienced anything for ages but last week I kept repeatedly getting weird or 'International' numbers dialling in. The only one I answered a recorded message told me my ISP was going to cut me off and I needed to "Press 1".

[swill453]

Pressing 1 couldn't have connected you to a premium rate number, phones don't work like that.

Probably just trawling for a gullible human to connect to a scammer.

Scott.

[XFool]

Pressing 1 couldn't have connected you to a premium rate number, phones don't work like that.

Probably just trawling for a gullible human to connect to a scammer.

Scott.

Are you sure? I don't know but can't imagine it is impossible - only need to use a signal (Press button 1) to initiate a call to another quick response premium number. Why do phones not "work like that"? Not saying it would and I have no intention of testing it!

[Alaric]

Probably just trawling for a gullible human to connect to a scammer.

Probably they would have asked you to transfer money to them in settlement of the supposed outstanding tax.

[Grumpsimus]

What pressing 1 does is connect you to a real live scammer, who will try to persuade to pay the 'Tax' you owe to make the legal case go away. At one time they even got people to pay in iTunes vouchers!

HMRC do not of course operate like this. Some years ago my wife was investigated by HMRC and had a formal interview under caution. In fact it was a case of mistaken identity and the HMRC Inspector was very apologetic and even offered her a few tax saving tips.

[swill453]

Pressing 1 couldn't have connected you to a premium rate number, phones don't work like that.

Probably just trawling for a gullible human to connect to a scammer.

Are you sure? I don't know but can't imagine it is impossible - only need to use a signal (Press button 1) to initiate a call to another quick response premium number. Why do phones not "work like that"? Not saying it would and I have no intention of testing it!

You're on a call, the line is open. Whether you're on a mobile or a landline, pressing 1 isn't going to hang up that call and initiate a brand new call to a premium line - there's no mechanism that could make that happen.

Scott.

[AleisterCrowley]

That's what I thought, but it's been a while since I did boring fixed-line stuff
I will probably do my duty and report to HMRC as I have found the relevant page on Gov.uk
It was an 020 3520 *****number (or was displayed as such...)

https://www.lovemoney.com/news/28892/02 ... -owns-this

[XFool]

You're on a call, the line is open. Whether you're on a mobile or a landline, pressing 1 isn't going to hang up that call and initiate a brand new call to a premium line - there's no mechanism that could make that happen.

Scott.

OK. Thanks for explanation, worth bearing in mind.

[richfool]

I had one of those calls yesterday (mentioning HMRC). A clue is that there tends to be a pause whilst the system identifies that someone has answered and then it switched into what was almost certainly a recorded message. When I heard what was being said, I just laughed and hung up.

When I next get a call from an unknown/suspicious number, I must try answering and not speaking and see what happens.

[PinkDalek]

[I will probably do my duty and report to HMRC as I have found the relevant page on Gov.uk ...

That particular scam has been around for quite a while.

See Bogus Phone Calls for a similar example https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... s-examples which includes:

Bogus phone calls

HMRC is aware of an automated phone call scam which will tell you HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you, and to press one to speak to a caseworker to make a payment. We can confirm this is a scam and you should end the call immediately.

This scam has been widely reported and often targets elderly and vulnerable people. ...

[AleisterCrowley]

Elderly ? I'm in my early 50s. Well, early to mid 50s
I am feeling a bit vulnerable. Must be paranoia

[UncleEbenezer]

Elderly ? I'm in my early 50s. Well, early to mid 50s

Yep. You (and I) have been in decline since sometime late last century.

[AleisterCrowley]

Yes indeed. The road behind is much longer than the road ahead. Woe is me...

[UncleEbenezer]

Yes indeed. The road behind is much longer than the road ahead. Woe is me...

Do not go gentle into that fraud investigation ...

Don't you work for a telco? Perhaps you have colleagues whose business these calls might be?

[AleisterCrowley]

I do, but it's...complicated
This was landline to mobile anyway

[gryffron]

last week I kept repeatedly getting weird or 'International' numbers dialling in. The only one I answered a recorded message told me my ISP was going to cut me off and I needed to "Press 1".

Me too. Almost a dozen over 3 days last week. Seems to have stopped now.

More interestingly, if I answered the call I got the recorded message telling me it was "My ISP" (Yeah right, they don't even know the name of my ISP?). But when the answering machine picked it up, it cutoff immediately. How can an automated system tell the difference?

Gryff

[tsr2]

More interestingly, if I answered the call I got the recorded message telling me it was "My ISP" (Yeah right, they don't even know the name of my ISP?). But when the answering machine picked it up, it cutoff immediately. How can an automated system tell the difference?

Answer machine detection us a bit of a black art. Start by measuring bursts of noise (words) and silence (gaps) between words, If it's more than a certain number of words it's probably a recorded message. Also if there's a big initial silence before the greeting starts it may indicate a recorded message. This can be tuned in various ways.

[Adamski]

Yeah I had one as well. I was a little concerned until the "dial this number or you will be arrested" laughed out loud, knew then was a scam! But also annoyed as will trick many people.