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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be really shaken up by this

77 replies

isitwhatitis · 18/07/2019 14:12

I have bad anxiety. I know this phone call was complete bollocks but it's really got to me
My phone just rang from an 0300 number. I answered and had a man's voice telling me that the call is from HMRC and there is a tax fraud case against me and I don't press 1 now then I will be arrested shortly.
I'm going out to collect my DCs from school soon and I can't stop shaking. I'll be OK in a moment but I'm disgusted that people can do this.

OP posts:
ChocChocButtons · 18/07/2019 17:21

The police update was funny! I guess you’ve also met the humour police today...

Original poster
isitwhatitis · 18/07/2019 17:21

They pop in to our one to buy their coffees as it does all different sorts but they aren't there like they are at yours, they just go in, grab a coffee and go.

OP posts:
Original poster
isitwhatitis · 18/07/2019 17:21

Hahaha, yes spot on ChocChocButtons

OP posts:
CollaterlyS1sters · 18/07/2019 17:22

I just thought it was funny coming after the pathetic phone call. What's wrong with trying to see the funny side of a stressful event? biscuit

Er ok, I didn't read your statements about being 'really shaken up', 'still shaking', being 'disgusted' and 'having bad anxiety' as indicating that you thought it was just 'funny' and 'pathetic', but OK. Sure. Thanks for the biscuit. Bye now.

SusieOwl4 · 18/07/2019 17:23

I was at my parents the other day when they got the call about there is a problem with your internet/ computer - I said hand it to me - so I wound him up for a while and said oh please tell me what is wrong and what should I do - he waffled on ( I just put the phone down and let him carry on ) about he would cut me off etc if I did not pay and let him sort it out. Then I said " actually I think the problem is with your computer - he said no - I said yes - because there is no internet and no computer here and if I ever catch you ringing this number again I will be reporting you to the fraud office - so crawl back into your hole . I like the idea of the whistle though that's great .

Mischone · 18/07/2019 17:34

I had this on my landline earlier in the year.

I also have anxiety and it sent me into a complete meltdown. I was flapping about the place catastrophising thinking I was in serious trouble.

It's definitely nothing to do with HMRC, please don't give it another moments thought.

Utter bastards aren't they.

PuzzledObserver · 18/07/2019 17:50

I saw the number call my mobile and I googled who it was. Seeing it was HMRC I picked up

Trouble is, phone numbers can be spoofed. So even if it’s coming from HMRC’s number it could still be a scam. Best option is to ring them back on the published number before giving out any personal information. Leave it a while to make sure the call has terminated before you do.

Original poster
isitwhatitis · 18/07/2019 18:04

Collaterly yes, it wound me up and I was stressed by it. After the event it was funny seeing the police there. Would you prefer I still be wound up by it? ODFOD.

OP posts:
MrsGrindah · 18/07/2019 18:09

OP hopefully you feel reassured now. If I get any dodgy calls I usually announce breezily that I’m putting them on hold and then sing Greensleeves down the phone till they disconnect

Loyaultemelie · 18/07/2019 18:45

Yup I got this yesterday, I did have to warn Dh though he is a panicker and would probably press 1 before thinking it through

thisnamechanger · 18/07/2019 18:49

Please tell me what happens if you press 1! The curiosity is killing me ...

Angry Indian geezer. He get really really annoyed and shouty when you point out how illegal what he's doing is. Grin

NerrSnerr · 18/07/2019 18:54

If a scam phone call is likely to leave you shaken up and upset why bother answering. If it's someone legit they'll leave a message and you can call them back.

I ignore all numbers I don't recognise. On the very rare occasion it's someone like the NHS with an unknown number they'll leave a message.

Original poster
isitwhatitis · 18/07/2019 18:55

If a scam phone call is likely to leave you shaken up and upset why bother answering. If it's someone legit they'll leave a message and you can call them back.

  1. I don't possess a crystal ball to know who it is.
  2. Believe it or not, it's the first such scam call I've had (I disregard the ones about mythical car accidents) that has been so unpleasant and threatening.
OP posts:
IamWaggingBrenda · 18/07/2019 18:57

Well known scam. Calm down and think logically - the police do not arrest people for tax fraud.

DonnaHaywood · 18/07/2019 19:10

Oh and I have a loud whistle at home (daren't use it elsewhere lol), that I blow into the phone when these scammers try me out.

Please don't do this. Scam calls are awful, but this could seriously damage someone's hearing, and you have no idea of the circumstances that have them working there.

AreWeAnywhereNear · 18/07/2019 19:30

When my DCs were little they'd shout 'SCAMMER' whenever the phone rang, 'no, it's just your Grandma' Grin

I'm with you OP, I know it's a scam and it's not personal they still do shake me up a little bit. I also get stressed when I think about them trying it on with more vulnerable people Angry

Original poster
isitwhatitis · 19/07/2019 04:02

That's what really bothered me, there are some people who'd have really believed it and the outcome could have been awful.

OP posts:
MarieFromStTropez · 19/07/2019 04:26

@isitwhatitis I did laugh when you said the police where there when you went to get your coffee Grin. That is the sort of thing that would have me worried too.

pelirocco123 · 19/07/2019 04:45

LakieLady

Entirely reasonable OP, but except for smuggling, HMRC don't use their powers of arrest very often, and when they do, it's most commonly for VAT fraud.

A friend who is someone senior in HMRC once told me that they have greater powers than the police, which quite surprised me.

Even for vat fraud they wouldn't be phoning you up to tell you they are going to arrest you if you don't press f1 ( or smuggling forthat matter ! )

mathanxiety · 19/07/2019 06:00

Rule to live by: if you don't recognise a number, don't pick up.

RobinHumphries · 19/07/2019 07:31

Hmmmm, I’ve not had a scam call but a letter from HMRC saying that they had evidence that I had received a pay out of £56000 and I owed tax on it. Now that was stressful even though I knew I hadn’t had the payout

AquaPris · 19/07/2019 07:54

You can google the number but unless you have been purposefully committing fraud then you shouldn't worry.

DO NOT PUSH THE BUTTON. They can map your phone so you think you're pressing one, but you're actually pressing yes in a contract or something to steal your money.

Block the number. If you're worried, google the HMRC contact number and call them.

AquaPris · 19/07/2019 07:54

This scan has been calling the phones at work too: every so often you'll hear a faint 'oh, fuck off' around the office 😂

thisnamechanger · 19/07/2019 12:03

DO NOT PUSH THE BUTTON. They can map your phone so you think you're pressing one, but you're actually pressing yes in a contract or something to steal your money

How would that work?

I've pressed one loads of time (to exchange pleasantries with the shouty Indian man). Nada.

Grumpyunleashed · 19/07/2019 13:14

Of course it’s a fraudulent call.
Do you honestly really truly believe that if the revenue were investigating you for a criminal matter with a power of arrest they would give you warning by having an automated system ring you up and give you the option to speak to them???
If tax fraud investigators were after you, then you would be talking to them in an office as part of a recorded and cautioned formal interview.

It is as the many people have said as untrue as the call I received telling me my BT service will be cut off. Shame my services come from Virgin which does not even use the BT network.

Finally, I am about 98.7% certain that if you press the number as these messages ask you to you can be deemed to have opted to call someone linked to their service. Suddenly find you are paying premium rates for a malicious call designed to keep you on the line and charge you an absolute fortune.

These calls are a con, pure and simple

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