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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit freaked out right now - 2am

61 replies

cossette · 13/09/2024 02:15

Horrible phone call tonight at 8.20 from a no caller id. Started out as a scam call supposedly from HSBC fraud dept. I've had a number of these in the past so said 'I'm not speaking to anyone from my bank on an unknown number'. Guy then said he would send an agent round at 2am. I laughed and was about to end the call when he said he planned to burgle my house at 2am. He knew my name and my full address! I said I have a German Shepherd and he then said he had a gun. I said my son is here and has a knife (not sure why I said that as my son does not have a knife) to which he said 'a knife is no protection against a gun'. I told him he was pathetic and I was ending the call. I was shaken up and called the police. They came round at 12.10 and took threat really seriously and offered to take us (myself, my teenage son and adult daughter) to somewhere else if we wanted to go. I said we'd be ok and police said they would send cars past the house tonight. I'm ok but a bit worried, and I'm cross that I'm worried because of some idiot making stupid threats. It was such a strange call and my daughter was/is really upset. Can't sleep now and I'm at work early this morning. I've been meaning to buy a ring doorbell and I've just purchased one from Amazon that will arrive same day - so that may make me feel a bit better!

OP posts:
Garlictest · 13/09/2024 02:21

Glad the police took you seriously, and the video doorbell will give you reassurance. It's past 2am and you're still safe? Great!

heaque · 13/09/2024 02:26

YANBU to be freaked out - what a bizarre call. These days strangers personal info gets to such random places - he's probably not even in the UK or if he is at the other end of it.

If he was planning on turning up at 2 am then he would definitely not have told you about it! I hope you can get some sleep. Do you actually have a German Shepherd?

Frozensun · 13/09/2024 02:27

Totally understandable being freaked out. Chances are much higher that it is a remote scammer. They can buy all sorts of information in one go. Now, I don’t answer any calls from a number I don’t recognise. I’ve got voicemail and, if it’s important, the caller will leave a message. I figure just don’t engage in the first place, particularly when a vulnerable family member was threatened with jail and subsequently the scammer posed as a police officer as well. Great idea getting the ring doorbell. I hope you feel better soon,

Ohjustalittle · 13/09/2024 02:30

Do you know anyone who would have a motive to make such a distressing call? I'm glad the police took it seriously. I once took a malicious phone call at shop I worked at 30 years ago, I was alone at the time the person described what I was wearing. It was extremely unsettling there are some nasty pieces of work out there. Hope you and your family manage some sleep.

Peaky18 · 13/09/2024 02:30

I had one turn nasty when I said something similar. Ignore it. They're probably miles away.

Ohjustalittle · 13/09/2024 02:31

Frozensun · 13/09/2024 02:27

Totally understandable being freaked out. Chances are much higher that it is a remote scammer. They can buy all sorts of information in one go. Now, I don’t answer any calls from a number I don’t recognise. I’ve got voicemail and, if it’s important, the caller will leave a message. I figure just don’t engage in the first place, particularly when a vulnerable family member was threatened with jail and subsequently the scammer posed as a police officer as well. Great idea getting the ring doorbell. I hope you feel better soon,

I don't answer my phone either, unless I want to.

DarkHollowTree · 13/09/2024 02:37

Probably just a scammer - probably got hold of your details. Your dog, is this something easily picked up on social media?
Besides that adult DD isn't recently out of a relationship/knocked someone back? Bit baby reindeer 😬
Or DS had any fallouts and they're trying to mess with him by scaring you?

Just4thisthreadtoday · 13/09/2024 02:59

@cossette

id be freaked out too.

HSBC spammers are rife at the moment & though this is the first one I've heard of with exact threat, they are threatening & they are telling people to 'fuck off'

HSBC are forever advising on current scam techniques & how to not fall for them. They might have to up their game.

ErniesGhostlyGoldTops · 13/09/2024 03:04

I had a strange call a few days ago and they knew my name and address so I immediately said, "No, that's not me. I live at Number 42....actually, I'm not comfortable sharing this - sorry." They said thanks, they clearly had their data wrong and they ended the call.

I'm hoping this will get them to stop calling. Bastards!

BoreOffAboutYerChickensEmma · 13/09/2024 03:08

That is frightening, these scammers are getting very bad now. I had one once tell me he would show up at my work, and I lied and said good luck, it is a military base.

hope you get some sleep.

DryBiscuit · 13/09/2024 04:23

If someone had a gun - They wouldn't tell you that they had one

Someone just trying to scare you! They are Pathetic

Snowdrops17 · 13/09/2024 04:33

Did it sound like an adult ? Could it have been someone your son or daughter knows ? As in a teenager that would know where you live ? I hope you are all ok but I doubt it was credible as who ringscyo tell you they are going to rob you ? I know that doesn't help the worry right now OP, also maybe look at changing phone number ?

Poppins21 · 13/09/2024 05:10

That’s horrible OP and I am glad the police took it seriously.

But I doubt the scammers are even in this country to come round at 2am- and why warn you if they planned to do it.

onfiree · 13/09/2024 05:34

I’m surprised you didn’t hang up on them

MelainesLaugh · 13/09/2024 06:04

That’s scary. Hope you’re ok now

rainfallpurevividcat · 13/09/2024 06:11

Glad the police took it seriously.

Next time don't get into a dialogue with scammers, just put the phone down.

I must say after getting rid of the landline the number of these calls received is zero.

Hedgerow2 · 13/09/2024 06:14

You engaged in far too much discussion with someone you believe to be a scammer. Don't give them ANY information - just hang up straight away. Even better, never answer calls from unknown numbers. If it's legitimate they'll leave a message and you can ring them back.

Babyworriesreal · 13/09/2024 06:15

Obvious scammer. Lesson learned, I hope, is do not engage, at all. No need for any silly tit for tat conversation. They are experts at keeping you on the phone. I wouldn't give this another thought.

JohnSt1 · 13/09/2024 06:20

Sometimes scammers can say weird shit. I remember being "threatened" with the FBI if I didn't send them what they wanted. 🤣 As if I'm scared of the FBI. 🤣

Superhansrantowindsor · 13/09/2024 06:21

It’s understandable you are freaked out but I’m sure this was just an empty threat. Glad the police took you seriously. Keep doors locked.

Boymummyofone · 13/09/2024 06:29

Don't engage with them at all, like other people have said, if it's legitimate they'll leave a message. Once you answer the phone to an unknown number, they know your line is 'active' and will try different techniques with different numbers.

It is becoming harder though as spoofing numbers is becoming more common so don't give away any personal information that could potentially identify you.

Wheelz46 · 13/09/2024 06:31

I work in fraud and scammers are just vile human beings and are just horrid people hiding behind a screen.

We also get scammers calling us pretending to be the customer and when we don't believe them, the venom they spit out is just unreal and generally proves that we were right in our decision.

I hope you are okay OP, its likely an empty threat but you did the right thing calling the Police, who are hopefully looking out for you and making sure you are safe.

We always advise to disconnect the call without engaging in any conversation if you receive such a call and always call the number on the back of the card.

BreatheAndFocus · 13/09/2024 06:38

I’ve had two phone calls from numbers said to be HSBC scams in the past week, OP. I never answer unknown numbers. I Google the number first then call back if it’s genuine. However, I’ve found genuine callers tend to leave a voicemail.

It will be a scammer angry at being challenged and so being aggressive. I once answered a scam call many years ago and got a mouthful of abuse from a really nasty guy. Nothing like what you had, but still scary. This scammer will be moving through the lists of thousands of other numbers and will totally have forgotten you x

Clementine22 · 13/09/2024 06:38

What a horrible call not surprised you are freaked out. Good that you called the police and hopefully he’s just a weirdo.

My sister had a similar call from someone saying she had hit their car (she hadn’t) and they had her registration and address. When she asked them to confirm what registration they had they became super aggressive and threatening, luckily I was with her and we both challenged the behaviour and ended the call.

I think there are a few scammers who get freaked out and aggressive if the call doesn’t go their way.

Nothanks17 · 13/09/2024 06:44

That's awful! How you are feeling is not unreasonable. Good to hear the police have taken it seriously. How you feel even a bit better today! People who do that are scum, they don't realise the toll it takes on a family. Everyone should feel safe in their own home.