There is a scam on the rise designed to make people feel like they have missed a call from a mobile phone.  When victims call the number back however, they are actually dialing a service costing up to £1.50 a minute.

The scam begins when you receive a missed call from a number beginning 070 or 076.

These numbers are used because they look like '07' mobile phone numbers; but in actuality, they are not. 

When you ring the number back, the call is immediately dropped or an engaged tone is played and you are charged. Some callers have also heard a recorded voice suggesting a bad line, encouraging you to ring back and be charged a second time.

The scam has been around for some time, but recently we have seen a drastic increase in the number of increase of cases.

*** To protect customers VTSL has barred all 070 numbers on client accounts. This will prevent employees from inadvertantly racking up large bills for their employers. ***

If you would like your employees to be able to call 070 numbers, please contact support@vtsl.net or call 020 7078 3200.

What are 070 numbers?

Personal numbering (070 numbers) are virtual telephone number services in a number of countries including the UK and Spain.

070 numbers can be legitimate when used as a 'follow me' service where calls are diverted from one number to another, so that the person being called can keep their own number private, and remain contactable wherever they go.

070 numbers are often sold on a one-off basis, for example when someone is buying or selling a used car and doesn’t want to advertise their private mobile or fixed line number on a website or magazine.

But in the workplace setting, there are very few, if any, circumstances where any employee would need to call an 070 number.