to ask if anyone else is getting phone calls like this supposedly from the NHS?

[beals692]

A few years ago I started receiving phone calls from a debt collection agency asking to speak to someone I'd never heard of. They've obviously got the wrong number as no one of that name has lived in my house for at least the last 10 years, I've never received any post (debt-related or otherwise) for this individual and no baliffs have turned up at my door.

I tried to get them to understand that I had no knowledge of this person and that they had the wrong number and they tried to persuade me to give them my address so that they could "correct their records" ie presumably change the address linked to this person to my address and start hounding me in person for the debts of someone I've never met! Obviously, I refused to give them my address but asked them to take my phone number of their records. I still get the odd call but (until today) it was infrequent.

Today, I've come home from work and every half hour or so, I'm getting a call from an automated voice saying that they are the NHS and are calling to speak to this individual and to press 1 if I am that person and 2 if I'm not. I've just hung up but it keeps ringing me back.

Couple of questions:

1. I'm presuming this is some dodgy debt company trick but just want to check - Has anyone had any calls like this from the NHS? Either way, this guy isn't here but, if it was the NHS, I'd let them know!

2. If I press '2' can they in any way charge me for the call? You hear about phone scams all the time and as these are dodgy people I don't really want to chance it - but on the other hand I want the calls to stop!

Any suggestions?

Yes, i got this it was an appointment reminder service they had rolled out.

Ask at your surgery? They might have an idea if your local health authority might do this.

Do 1471 to check number.

We had one of these NHS automated calls last week. It was to confirm that DH would be attending a forthcoming hospital appointment. All genuine and above board.

Yes, we've had one too.

tamzins comment makes sense. The NHS can't leave a message on your answer phone reading appointments due to confidentiality rules. An automated service would get round that.
Have you got any appointments booked?

Yes, it is an appointment reminder service, I get these too, they are genuine. Just press two, they obviously use your number sometimes either because it's close and they've got it wrong, or deliberately.

Yes, we've had one too.

If they are asking for the same person as the debt collectors were, I would be inclined to press 1. You'll then be given full details of when and where the mysterious person's appointment is and you could contact the clinic direct to point out that this person has given your phone number.

Thanks for the replies - Glad it's not the debt collection people again! Although I've had numerous calls for this mystery guy over the years, they have always been from debt collection agencies so I just assumed it would be the same again!

Beals it sounds as if your phone number is the same as this man had previously, and quite recently. How long have you had this number? Could you ring your provider to ask that withheld numbers can't contact you, or to see about changing your number?

I've had this number for about 6 or 7 years! Maybe he's just got a similar number!