TV licence payment overdue text!!

[Bigsis]

Not sure if this is a scam, but got a text message today from a mobile number (07786200611 which when you redial is not reconised) saying:

'TV Licence payment is overdue. To pay £11.20 using the debit/credit card you last used ending xxxx (not sure if this was ever my card details) please text YES to authorise. Call 0300 555 0293'

I pay in full each year and its not due till August, so I rang the number which does connect to TV Licencing. I asked why did I get this message when I dont pay by direct debit, he said they would remove my mobile number from the data base, as someone must have given/or they must have taken down number wrongly for another customer. I asked if I had text Yes would that payment have come out of that customers acct, he said it would. I'm thinking Data Protection not too hot at TV licencing and I not feeling very confident about giving my card details when I pay next time.

[enquirer]

Re: TV licence payment overdue text!!

Yes, make a complaint to ICO.

[teaboy2]

Re: TV licence payment overdue text!!

https://www.nottinghamshirealert.co....sage_Scam.html

And on Who calls me - http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/07786200611

Best to check if you owe or not with TV licensing people before paying a penny.

[Amethyst]

Re: TV licence payment overdue text!!

From teaboy's link:

The scam takes the form of a text message being sent to individuals mobile phones. The text message states that it is from TV Licensing and reads: “TV Licence payment remains overdue. To clear your arrears you must pay £value today. For help and advice call 0300 555 0293”. The text message states a variety of different values to individuals and in some cases reads slightly different.

You are advised not to reply to the text message or call the number as there may be a charge for your reply. We would suggest ignoring the message and removing it from your mobile phone. The text message appears to be sent to a range of individuals some of which a TV Licence is not applicable to.

Companies do not usually request payment via text message or other electronic communication methods such as email. This is usually done via letter and in some cases over the telephone with the appropriate security prompts in place. If you are concerned about the text message and believe you may have been sent it due to having an outstanding TV Licence balance you should make contact with the TV Licensing agency to confirm and discuss payment.

[Bigsis]

Re: TV licence payment overdue text!!

Hi, I meant to update and conclude this thread but got side tracked with Lowell issues.

I did get in touch with the ICO who advised me to contact Trading Standards and Action Fraud.

Action Fraud said they felt it was a genuine mistake, but to check with TV licencing again and if they don't send out text messages they would look into it further. Trading Standards took details for someone to get back to me, they left a voice message which was much the same as Action Fraud. I rang TV licencing who confirmed that they do send text messages to remind customers who are overdue with payments. So I left it at that.

[Tools]

Re: TV licence payment overdue text!!

Its called Smishing Fraud