It just cost me £18 not to use my credit card.

@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
October 31, 2012 4:52pm CST
The title may seem a little strange, but amazingly it is perfectly true. I received a telephone call from a lady claiming to be from British Telecom. She informed me that my telephone bill was overdue and about to be disconnected, which would then cost a further £18 to be re-connected. I was told that if I paid over the telephone with a credit card then this would not happen. I always pay my bills on time, so it did not seem very likely. Furthermore I had no intention of giving out my credit card details to someone who had telephoned me because I had no way of knowing who had called, so I declined. I immediately checked my accounts and discovered that it was true. I returned the call and paid the bill, but the charge had already been applied. I am not really worried about the £18, I consider that it was worth it just to be cautious. Would you have trusted the caller, or reacted the same way?
2 people like this
2 responses
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
20 Oct 15
I will ask for her contact number, and say that i will check my bank account before returning hre call. Then I will call her through the main line, and if she is genuine, I will give her the credit card number. At least the phone call is recorded, and I have the security of knowing that I am speaking to an member of the utility company.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Oct 15
That would have made no difference because she obviously added the charge as soon as I ended the telephone call.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
31 Oct 12
I would never give a cc over the phone. Can you go online and pay this?
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
31 Oct 12
I usually pay online by transfer from my bank account, but somehow I managed to miss this bill. I paid over the telephone because I called back and paid via the automated system. The main difference was that I made the telephone call so I knew who I was dealing with.