Phone rings and a recorded message says;

"Congratulations.  We are calling to advise you that you have won an all expenses paid trip (to an exotic destination)".  Please press 9 now to hear further details.

If you press 9 you are connected to a premium line that bills in the region of £20 per minute.

If you press 9 and connect, even if you disconnect immediately, the other end will stay connected for a minimum of 5 minutes - at a cost to you of £100.

The final part of the call asks you to key in your postcode and house number (which has other serious considerations) and then, after a wait of a further two minutes, responds with the message:

"Sorry you are not one of the lucky winners" and disconnects, adding a further £260 to your bill. 

In total the message is 11 minutes in length.

Unfortunately the calls are originating from outside the UK and as such BT and other providers are relatively powerless to act.

The only safe solution is to hang up before the message prompts you to press 9.

Affects land and mobile numbers.

Please be aware,

Chris.

Thanks for the warning :(  Very sad how easy it is to con somebody

This isn't true - it can't be done and it isn't happening so don't worry :)

The Register Story on the Dial 9 Hoax

Even the police were conned with this story :rolleyes:

Mel - wheres that Urban Legends site?

....and yet today I have recieved a recorded message call - something about winning a prize, I never listen to calls like this or unsolicited sales calls, can't even be bothered to be polite any more.  So I hang up, but this doesn't work then I pull the plug !! this works :)  but I'll be waiting for the phone bill.....OOOERRR

Don't worry - it cannot be done. The technology is not able to do a reverse charge IVR (recorded message) call. And the Premium Rate industry is very highly regulated by ICSTIS, and the most you can EVER be charged is £1.50 up to a maximum of £20 in any one call before it automatically disconnects :)

Chloe ....Snopes

;) :D

:) Thanks Mel

Thanks for that Chloe :)  Its bad enough paying my own phone bills without paying for calls I would never make in a million years!!

But what was the purpose of the call I recieved ?  what are they hoping for?  Are people really fool enough to follow the instructions?? and pay for the pleasure??  :rolleyes: