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Phone scam targets the unemployed | Phone scam targets the unemployed |
(35 minutes later) | |
Unemployed people are being tricked into calling expensive premium rate numbers while applying for non-existent jobs. | Unemployed people are being tricked into calling expensive premium rate numbers while applying for non-existent jobs. |
Jobseeker Karl Lever was charged £40 after he responded to an advert for bar staff in Brighton. | Jobseeker Karl Lever was charged £40 after he responded to an advert for bar staff in Brighton. |
The regulator Phone Pay Plus, which oversees premium rate numbers, has launched an investigation. | The regulator Phone Pay Plus, which oversees premium rate numbers, has launched an investigation. |
It has issued a warning about the potential misuse of some 070 numbers, which can cost up to £1 a minute. | It has issued a warning about the potential misuse of some 070 numbers, which can cost up to £1 a minute. |
Mr Lever told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours that he had been looking for work for three months as a general manager in bars and clubs in Brighton, but had struggled to find anything suitable. The call, which cost him £40, lasted an hour. | Mr Lever told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours that he had been looking for work for three months as a general manager in bars and clubs in Brighton, but had struggled to find anything suitable. The call, which cost him £40, lasted an hour. |
He said: "In hindsight it did feel like they were trying to keep me on the phone for as long as possible. | He said: "In hindsight it did feel like they were trying to keep me on the phone for as long as possible. |
"Even for a management position they asked a lot of questions." | "Even for a management position they asked a lot of questions." |
Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
After asking about previous employment, experience and even medical history, the call handler ran through scenarios and asked how he would react. | After asking about previous employment, experience and even medical history, the call handler ran through scenarios and asked how he would react. |
Mr Lever added: "They are targeting vulnerable people who can't afford to be caught out. Many of the bar jobs they advertise are only minimum wage." | Mr Lever added: "They are targeting vulnerable people who can't afford to be caught out. Many of the bar jobs they advertise are only minimum wage." |
In a variation of the scam, jobseekers are sent an email thanking them for their application, but are told to ring an 070 number to arrange an interview. | In a variation of the scam, jobseekers are sent an email thanking them for their application, but are told to ring an 070 number to arrange an interview. |
Twenty four-year-old Christopher Murphy was charged £57 after responding to a similar advert looking for bar workers in Nottingham. He was put on hold and told to wait for the manager but gave up after the third attempt. | Twenty four-year-old Christopher Murphy was charged £57 after responding to a similar advert looking for bar workers in Nottingham. He was put on hold and told to wait for the manager but gave up after the third attempt. |
He said there should be a recorded warning alerting people to the fact that the call is premium rate, adding: "It it was just a scam. There was no job. It's a way of making easy money." | He said there should be a recorded warning alerting people to the fact that the call is premium rate, adding: "It it was just a scam. There was no job. It's a way of making easy money." |
Calls to 090 premium rate numbers should be preceded by written warnings. 070 numbers do not require them but Ofcom is currently consulting on changes to the regulations. |
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