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[UncleUB]

Here is what a member of another forum I visit posted about a recent phone scam they received

     I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me
      that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He
      demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00
      to re-connect at a later date.
      The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin
      Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
        I asked the guy's name ‘John Peacock’ - & phone number
      -   0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 .
      Obviously the fella realized I wasn't believing his story, so
      offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he
      told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect
      my phone to prevent this.
      AND HE DID!!
      My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned
      me again.
        Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof
      that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he
      said credit card, there & then.
        I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had
      absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name
      or that he worked for BT.
      He hung up.
      I did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number – not recognised.
      I phoned the police to let them know, I wasn't the first! It's
      only just started apparently but it is escalating.
      Their advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of
      this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably
      convince some people it's real, so please let as many friends &
      family aware of this.
      This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it
      should have been   0800 800152 0800 800152 which takes you
      through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very
      simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you
      can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because
      the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it).
      When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You
      could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple
      that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable.
      Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your
      credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them
      cleaning out your account.

[BritBrat]

The cutting off of the line is very
      simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you
      can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because
      the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it).

I knew it was going to be that before I got that far down, quite clever though for a scam.

Even that times out after some time.

Looks like an old scam:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?p=25060127

[Zoe]

God! - That's Awful!

It's unbelievable that the police, BT, whoever, someone... Isn't doing more to stop these scammers.

Trouble Is...
They can be really convincing at times.
Know coz I've had loads of those scam calls lately. ( Scam Calls Regarding.. Computer - Broadband - Phone Line )
Not had one as bad as that one though 

Problem Is...
It's getting to the stage where I don't trust anyone that phones.
Nearly lost out on my last AOL contract for Upto 24mbps and 50GB download allowance.. Because I wouldn't believe that the man phoning was from AOL.
Kept saying things to him - Like...
" Are you sure you are who you say you are? "
" You're not going to ask me for my card details are you? - Coz if you do... I'm going to know that you're lying "
How Embarrassing 
But it was like I was analysing every word he said.
My head was having an argument with itself... Fake - Real - Don't Know - Bogus - Not Sure - Genuine - Scam - AOL - Don't Know! 
The Grief I gave that poor man...
I'm amazed he didn't give up - & - Put the phone down on me 

Zoe

[BritBrat]

All you have to do is say you will phone back.

Not a number they give you but one you know is for AOL or whatever.

Simples.

If they are legit they would not mind you doing that.

Never trust a call you did not expect.