Potential Phone Scam Reported for 070 4920 7759 [Updated]

A local resident reports:

"The wife got a missed call from 070 4920 7759, she phoned back got an answer then the line went dead.

"This cost us £2.59 + VAT."

The call has now been reported to Kent Trading Standards to see if they have had other reports and to ask for advice on reclaiming the cost of the call. Have others had any similar experience of calls from this number (or alternatively, if you own this number, has there been a misunderstanding)? If so, please email me or send me a message via Twitter.

Updated 13/7/12 with a reply from Kent Trading Standards:

Phone pay Plus is the organisation that regulates phone paid services in the United Kingdom. We would advise any one who has been caught by this to report the matter to them as well as Citizens Advice Consumer Centre and Action Fraud. I have added contact details for these organisations below for your ease of reference.

Phone Pay Plus:

PhonepayPlus
Clove Building
4 Maguire Street
London
SE1 2NQ

Tel: 020 7940 7474
www.phonepayplus.org.uk

Citizens Advice Consumer Service:

Tel 08454 040506
www.citizensadviceguide.org.uk

Action Fraud

Tel: 0300 123 2040
www.actionfraud.police.uk

We have not at the present time heard of this particular scam, however, we may get calls logged regarding this in the future. Unfortunately the list of the types of scams you may find is endless.

Scams of this nature are very difficult to stop and the likelihood of recuperating your losses if you are caught out is very slim. If you have or receive any further information regarding this particular scam or the caller, for instance, a telephone number or name then we would be glad of this information.

Below are some of our general tips on how to avoid being caught out by a scam, which I hope will be useful.

What you can do to stop getting conned?

* If you have been contacted by letter, telephone or email and you feel you have been the victim of a scam, speak to Trading Standards (via Citizens Advice Consumer Service) on 08454 040506.

* NEVER send any money, or give your bank details or personal information to strangers. (Your bank will never ask you for your personal banking information)

* Always be very wary of any one asking you to pay money via Western Union, this method of payment is used by scammers as the money is untraceable after it has been paid.

* To cut down on the amount of junk mail you receive, register with the Mailing Preference Service. Tel: 0845 703 4599

* To cut down on the amount of scam phone calls from people trying to sell you something, register with the Telephone Preference Service. Tel: 0845 070 0707.

* You can also ask your phone company to block callers who withhold their number or numbers you do not want getting through.

* Available from retailers for around £20 you can purchase caller id display phones. This shows up the number that is calling you so you can see before you answer who it is. If you do not recognise the number then you can ignore it. The caller can leave a message and you can get back to them if it is someone you want to speak to.

* We would also urge you to report the matter to Action Fraud, they provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime. Telephone: 0300 123 2040.