I think someone is trying to scam me....

[S-Express]

Ok - so a guy rings me up on my mobile (no number given) sounds like he is in a call centre (but could have been a tape playing in the back ground). I stupidly confirm my name to him and then he asks me if I want to earn a fiver from filling in a questionairre about my car every 6 months...
He then asks me if I own an Audi 80 - I confirm but am now really on guard...
He then asks who services it - I tell him I do.
Then he asks me how much power it has - (very weird question)
The last question before i told him to flock off was what sort of ICE does it have...!

I'm a bit paranoid because:
1) I've recently had my identitiy stolen by someone who reregistered my credit card to another address using my d.o.b. and mothers maiden name, spent £750 on it at Currys and then re-registered my card back to my OLD address
AND
2) 4 years ago someone was using a copy of my passport so I kept getting dragged into customs wherever I went

OK - so what is this latest scam? He called my car an Audi 80 - so I don't think he wants to rob it, my guess is that he's going to take out insurance in my name on an old 80 avant with copy plates on it, and then crash it into his mate (as me), then claim (as me) and get the cash. I'll end up with a claim on my 19 year claim free insurance record!

Anyone got any better ideas as to why this **** was asking me so much about my car?? (I have 2 other cars, but he picked on the S2 only).

What can I do??????

[rj scotty]

We need to start at the beginning hear.

What are the routes at which He could establish what car you own ?
As for his intension's, I think you could be spot on. If he had just raw information your car would flag as an Audi 80.

Are you registered with expirian, very useful if you suspect ID theft.

cheers

rich

[Big Lee M]

I'd keep an eye on your car if i was you or park it at some else's house that you know,it all sounds very odd to me but didn't he say where he was calling from or anything?

[S-Express]

he said he got my details from an internet insurance site - he said that I had probably forgot to tick the box about 3rd parties etc (I ALWAYS read those boxes and make sure I dont get my details 'passed on').
He did mutter the company name - but I didn't catch it, when I asked him to repeat it, he muttered it again - Dataserve or something like that.
Rich - how do Experian help? I wouldn't mind looking at that.
As for stealing the car - he would find it hard because how awkwardly it is parked in my garden, plus I moved house 6 months ago so doubt he has my new address. The car has a decent immo on it too so not overly worried about car theft...
I shouldn't have answered my mobile - i don't normally answwer withheld numbers but i was expecting a call from British Gas

Should I tell my insurance company maybe???

[s2driveruk]

i'd certainly flag to them yes does sound really dodgy that....hope it doesnt materialise into anything more sinister

[Error404]

Sounds dodgy to me. If you're unsure mate, call the police they normally have info on the latest scams, might be able to offer some insight?

[rj scotty]

If you register with Expirian (about £6 a month) whenever credit is taken out or even applied for you find out about it.
It may help in this situation if it is more than an insurance scam.
If this where a plot for car theft I would be surprised. No offence to your car (or mine) but don't think it is worth this level of effort.

You can't be to careful though.

[S-Express]

If you register with Expirian (about £6 a month) whenever credit is taken out or even applied for you find out about it.
It may help in this situation if it is more than an insurance scam.
If this where a plot for car theft I would be surprised. No offence to your car (or mine) but don't think it is worth this level of effort.

You can't be to careful though.

exactly - it aint worth knicking
Thats why I'm thinking insurance fraud scam - they've picked up an old audi 80 and matched it with my stolen details....
Oh well - lets see if anything happens..............

[s2_wot]

identity abuse

Hello S-Express, I think it would be worthwhile to send your insurance company and credit card company a letter. Tell them that you have been a victim of fraud in the past and want to implement tighter procedures on your account. Your credit card company will probably send you a new card immediately with no cost. Likewise your insurance company can issue you with a new policy number. Furthermore either of those should be able to put a procedure in place whereby they send you a letter / fax confirming any alterations to your account that will cost you money.
Most companies have little procedures thay are happy to implement to ensure you are happy to deal with them.
We regularily buy stuff at a big trade counter in Dublin. I had to implement a procedure with them whereby they called me on my mobile if anybody attempted to collect materials and add them to our account. It was a bit funny a few times when I was collecting goods myself and a new member of staff would pick up the phone and call me to verify I was myself but very worthwhile. It cost me €500 before I implemented that procedure but now I have peace of mind.

That's my bit, hope it's worth something to you...

Shane

[S2central.net]

AGreed with above... get your concerns in writing to your credit card and car insurance folk. I smell a scam alright.

I think the mistake you made was answering the call from an unknown number - I NEVER do that... if its a legit call they will leave a voicemail.

Identity theft is a real nightmare though - can really make your life difficult. I know someone who had their car cloned... he only discovered it when the police banged on his door to question him about a hit and run accident with his car as multiple witnesses had given description & reg number. The peelers quickly twigged on when clearly there was no damage and the car was cold anyway.

Keep your guard up - hope nothing sinister afoot.

[Error404]

Doesn't help that these days when banks etc call you they expect you to confirm your name address, DOB etc so they can talk to you about something THEY CALLED YOU about?! Then they talk about introducing systems to protect us from this 5hlt
I always tell them to f**k off as its not worth the risk these days

[Andreas]

Are these con-jobs so frequent in the UK?

I've never even heard of this shyte over here..

[Error404]

yeah there are lots of scams and financial fraud over here - mainly becasue:-

a) we have a lot of pikey lazy 5hlt people in the uk who want something for nothing
b) most of the poeple in the uk are f***ing stupid so the scammers have it easy

[andyg plym]

get the police to do a number check. ok so it was witheld but they can still trace it back with help from your phone provider.

i manage a callcentre..(10 years).also for someone to sell you something it is illegal to withold your number

[FRED]

Had the same call earlier today. Only got as far as asking me if I owned an Audi 80 and offered me the fiver every six months for filling in a questionaire. Didn't like the sound of it so said no thanks and hung up on the girl asking the questions. Got the phone call at work but I did notice the number didn't show up on the caller display.

Regards,

Grant