'Money Saving Department' con ?

[DeanoH]

Just had a call from a gentleman from the governments 'Money Saving Department'.
He cheerfully explained to me, with a difficult to understand 'sub-continent' accent, that I was due an amount of $2637. Amazing.
He further explained that this windfall was the result of successful action earlier this year against banks for overcharging and this was my refund for 20 years of overcharging. Wonderful.
Now if I would be so good as to give him my details...................Hmm.
On being questioned about what government department this might be all I could get was 'Government Money Saving Department'. No amount of probing by me could elicit a contact phone number for this department. Shame.
Not a bad idea for a con except for the ridiculous notion that a government might be interested in actually saving money.

Deano:)

[87County]

scam....... FAIL :D

[spudboy]

Well... it sounds legit to me.

[Scouse]

Well... it sounds legit to me.Yep, it's legit all right.

Our very own JC is involved so it must be kosher.


Just got a call from money saving experts. The man was Indian but had an aussie name mmmmm. A series of questions and told me that I would get $3647 in overdue bank charges. I refused to give my bank details. Was told to call a Justin Cooper on 0290371929 and quote a reference number.




0280034335 - who calls me from 02-8003-4335? (http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/0280034335)

[spudboy]

http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/demotivational-posters-seems-legit31.jpg

[DeanoH]

Just had a call back (next day) from the same scammers (money saving experts), was a bit rude this time. Told him he was a ****ing scammer and to **** off and leave me alone and promptly hung up. I'm not usually this rude on the phone but it did feel good I'm ashamed to say.
He immediately rang back and in an angry voice barked out "Do you want to go to jail ?", between hoots of laughter I repeated my original statement and again promptly hung up.
The phone rang again, this time I just hit the end button to cancel the call.
Thirty seconds later the phone rang again, cancelled the call again.
Must have really annoyed the scammer. Yes !

Deano:)

[VladTepes]

Looking at that whocallsme site there are a number of people who took it seriously some even supplied ID details... FMD how stupid are some people that can't recognise such an obvious scam so easily.

Also its lazy they use the same $ amount each time. I suppose its to stop the "office bloke" from getting confused.

[spudboy]

So, let's say you believe these jokers, and you give them your BSB and your account number. What can they do with that?

I put my BSB and Acct number on all the invoices I send out, so it's not exactly private information.

How does the scam work?

[VladTepes]

BSB and account number and full name AND date of birth etc.
basically they get the typical "ID questions" that a bank will ask you.
They ring the bank pretending to be you and set up internet baking or change your phone banking password or whatever.. and go from there.

People get overly paranoid about puttig account details on paperwork etc but by themselves a BSB and account number pose no threat.

[flagg]

So, let's say you believe these jokers, and you give them your BSB and your account number. What can they do with that?

I put my BSB and Acct number on all the invoices I send out, so it's not exactly private information.

How does the scam work?

Jeremy Clarkson stung for £500 as fraud stunt gets punished | Money | guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/07/personalfinancenews.scamsandfraud)

Ask Clarkson :D