UPDATE:The phone number mentioned in this story was disconnected five years ago – See PhonepayPlus statement below.
Residents believing they have missed a parcel delivery could end up paying £315 for a bogus phone call.
Gwent Police and Royal Mail are warning people to be vigilant of the scam which is currently in operation throughout Caerphilly County Borough.
Fraudsters post a card through people’s doors claiming to be from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service). The card suggests they were unable to deliver a parcel and that people need to contact them on a 0906 premium rate number.
If the number is called and a recorded message begins to play people are billed £315 for the phone call. It is believed the scam is operated from Belize.
People who receive a card should contact Royal Mail’s fraud line on 020 7239 6655.
Caerphilly’s Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert has urged people to be on their guard against the scam.
He said: “It is important that people are made aware of this scam especially as Christmas is fast approaching.
“I urge people to circulate this message so that as many as possible can be vigilant.”
PhonepayPlus Statement
UPDATE: PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has contacted Caerphilly Observer to clarify that the scam phone number was disconnected in December 2005.
News of the scam however continues to spread through chain emails and messages.
The organisation has issued the following statement:
“PhonepayPlus is aware that a chain email about an alleged postal scam is being circulated on the internet. The email refers to the Royal Mail, Trading Standards and ICSTIS (PhonepayPlus’ former name).
“The chain email refers to a service (operating on 0906 6611911) that was shut down by PhonepayPlus (then ICSTIS) in December 2005.
“PhonepayPlus subsequently fined the company that was operating the service, Studio Telecom (based in Belize), £10,000.
“The service is no longer running and has not been running since December 2005. You do not need to contact PhonepayPlus, or the Royal Mail, about this service.
“If you receive a copy of the email warning you about the alleged scam, please do not forward it to others.”
Residents unsure of the authenticity of a premium rate number can check it with PhonepayPlus on freephone 0800 500 212, (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
For more information visit www.phonepayplus.org.uk
BT's website says that numbers beginning 0906 66 are charged at £1.50/min.
Postal scam chain email 2010 –
PhonepayPlus’ statement 17/11/2010
PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, is aware that a chain e-mail about an alleged postal scam is being circulated on the internet.
The email refers to the Royal Mail, Trading Standards and ICSTIS (PhonepayPlus' former name). PhonepayPlus appreciates that recipients of the email may want to find out more information about the alleged scam and has therefore issued the following statement:
The chain email refers to a service (operating on 0906 6611911) that was shut down by PhonepayPlus (then ICSTIS) in December 2005. PhonepayPlus subsequently fined the company that was operating the service, Studio Telecom (based in Belize), £10,000.
The service is NO LONGER running and has NOT been running since December 2005.
You do NOT need to contact PhonepayPlus, or the Royal Mail, about this service as it was stopped almost four years ago. If you receive a copy of the email warning you about the alleged scam, please do NOT forward it to others.
Instead, please forward this statement from PhonepayPlus. If you receive a delivery card through your letterbox which you do not believe is genuine and which asks you to dial a premium rate number, you can contact PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) for further guidance.
Please go to http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/FAQ.aspx for useful information about how to recognise phone-paid services and understand what they cost, and some simple tips to help you enjoy using services with confidence.
For more detailed information about PhonepayPlus’ work, please visit http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk.