070 telephone numbers
Advice from Action Fraud (police)
In November 2014, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) warned about fraudsters using "070" numbers, which look like UK mobile numbers but are actually premium-rate.
"070" numbers featured in over 2,600 fraud reports to Action Fraud in a single year. Known as "personal numbers", they are virtual numbers that forward incoming calls to a list of fixed or VoIP numbers chosen by the client. VoIP numbers let calls be made or received anywhere with an internet connection, which makes them much harder to trace - so fraudsters can hide behind an "070" number while masking where the calls are really going.
Although "070" numbers are legitimate, calls to them are charged at a premium rate and have long been used to scam victims:
- Calls from a landline can cost up to 65p a minute, plus a call set-up fee of up to 51p.
- Calls from a mobile can cost up to £1.50 a minute.
- In extreme cases, victims have ended up with phone bills running into hundreds of pounds.
Providers of "personal numbers" include Vodafone, Magrathea and Digital Mail.
Key methods used by fraudsters
- The fraudster texts, leaves a voicemail, or gives a missed call from the number. The victim calls back assuming it's an ordinary UK mobile, and is unwittingly connected to a premium-rate number.
- The fraudster places a job advert on an online shopping or auction site, giving an "070" number to call for more information or to apply.
- The fraudster contacts someone selling an item on a shopping website and sends fake PayPal emails asking for a shipping fee to be paid via Western Union before releasing payment - often giving an "070" number, so the victim runs up further charges trying to make contact.
Protection advice
- If anyone approaches you online, or otherwise, and gives you an "070" number to call, be wary that it could be a scam - don't call it.
- Consider reporting it to the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA), formerly Phonepay Plus, which regulates premium-rate numbers and has statutory powers to stop mobile phone fraud and fine offenders.
- If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by this or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud.
To report a fraud and get a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use the online fraud reporting tool at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Related information
Other premium-rate numbers begin with 076 (formerly reserved for pagers), 084, 087, 090, 091 or 118.
The regulator Phonepay Plus was renamed the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). It can be contacted online at https://psauthority.org.uk/ or by phone: 0300 30 300 20.
