BT replaces 'red bill' with Indian call centre nag

[Steve]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/04/bt_red_bill/

BT is phasing out the dreaded "red bill" to remind customers that they need to cough up and is using call centre staff in India to telephone errant punters instead and offer them the chance to pay over the phone.

If punters can't be reached by phone, then BT will send out the red bill as a reminder.

When one Reg hack was called yesterday and given a gentle reminder that he needs to cough up, the BT debt chaser explained it was a "new policy".

A spokesman for the telecoms giant confirmed that the company had been introducing this change over the last three months, although it had yet to inform punters of the change.

He also reminded us: "The BT bill is payable on demand - not when you get the red bill." ®

OK, so some guy rings up and asks you to pay your phone bill over the phone? Just how big is the opportunity for scamming there? I don't like this one bit.

[Big RICHARD]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/04/bt_red_bill/

OK, so some guy rings up and asks you to pay your phone bill over the phone? Just how big is the opportunity for scamming there? I don't like this one bit.

It screamed that to me too.

'Hello sir, you haven't paid your BT bill this month, can I take your credit card details please?' in a dodgy Indian accent. :/

[XTR]

theres no way i would give them my credit card details...... BT scum!


P.S. Nice handbag, Big Dick

[Iain]

Nice handbag but it's way over the permissible sig size limit. Please reduce it to conform to the max sig height of 100px. Also, please note that XTR doesn't lead by example

edit re-reading your sig I believe it may have been changed by a mod without your knowledge. If that's the case feel free to let me know who it was and I'll introduce them sharp end of the HEXUS stick

[Steve]

edit re-reading your sig I believe it may have been changed by a mod without your knowledge. If that's the case feel free to let me know who it was and I'll introduce them sharp end of the HEXUS stick

It's hard to think who it could have been...

Anyway, back on topic!

[Lee H]

lol they can ring me and try.... all I'll do is wiggle the phone socket and say "sorry must be a bad line you've got seeing as its a long distance call "

[Stewart]

It's hard to think who it could have been...

Anyway, back on topic!

Indeed, although I can't help but think that the 'By Zak33' might be a subtle clue of some sort.

[XTR]

Also, please note that XTR doesn't lead by example

I asked a senior member of staff..... An Admin........ regarding my signature and it was approved cause its bloody cool!!! but I may make it a bit more streamline when i get the chance


Anyway..... back on topic lol.

Calling requesting payment isnt anything new.... credit card companies/banks have been doing it for years..... I'm guessing the legal issues and possible fraud attempts that are possible with this method have already been taken into consideration and have introduced measures to prevent this sort of happenings.

[petrefax]

aye - definite scam alert. BT inform customers of this policy, a few days later a vaguley indian sounding person rings up & demands credit card details....we'd better warn all our aged relatives of this cos thats who scammers are most likely to target


i look forward to the day BT ring me tho. the last time BT rang me without my bidding was on a saturday morning at 9am to "discuss your BT options package" (basically to convince me i needed call minder, ringback etc)

i was...how can i put it..."firm but fair" in my approach

[Big RICHARD]

Nice handbag but it's way over the permissible sig size limit. Please reduce it to conform to the max sig height of 100px. Also, please note that XTR doesn't lead by example

edit re-reading your sig I believe it may have been changed by a mod without your knowledge. If that's the case feel free to let me know who it was and I'll introduce them sharp end of the HEXUS stick

Hehe!

Is that better?

[Lee H]

hmm... wheres that feedback section on the BT website.

pierre.danon@bt.com by any chance ... wonder if he'd be happy to hear our thoughts on this

[petrefax]

hmm... wheres that feedback section on the BT website.

just tried the "contact us" link on their website & got
"we're sorry, there was an error in accessing this page, please try again later"

looks like they're busy then!

[Lee H]

hmmm I usually go the direct approach, no point amusing the minions - go for the gods they'll get the message as soon as enough people state that this is a possible SECURITY blunder.

If they roll this out and a person aquires the numbers by this means, would BT accept liability ?

I very much doubt it.... all they care about is the shares and keeping shareholders happy.

[CrapshoT]

It screamed that to me too.

'Hello sir, you haven't paid your BT bill this month, can I take your credit card details please?' in a dodgy Indian accent. :/

My wife took our call and within 5 seconds he had been told to **** off and the phone was put down.My wifes normally very polite as well on the phone.She has her own special "phone voice" lol.