Parcel Delivery Scam and 09 Numbers

Many of you may receive emails warning of a scam involving PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) and the number 0906 6611911.

This warning seems to circulate every year at about this time and as far as I can determine the warning is no longer relevant. The line was shut down in 2005.

See:

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/pds.asp 

and

http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/News-And-Events/News/2010/11/Postal-scam-chain-email-PhonepayPlus-statement.aspx

However there is still a sinister side to this email as by sending it on to all of your contacts you could be helping someone to compile a list of email addresses for future spamming if you system is insecure.

For a more general warning see the information below from PhonePayPlus on 09 numbers. Note in particular that numbers to 091 numbers can be any cost per minute or any cost per call. You may be able to bar calls to these numbers. Check with your telecom supplier.

http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/For-The-Public/FAQ.aspx#What_are_Phone_PaidPremium_Rate_

09 numbers* 

• 0900/ 0901
  Call cost up to 60p per minute with a maximum call cost of £5.00; or fixed cost up to £1.00 per call
• 0904
  Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate
• 0905
  Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate
• 09059 
  Live multi-party chat services costing up to 60p per minute
• 0906 
  Open-ended at £1.50 per minute.
• 0907 
  Pay-for-product services costing more than £1.00
• 0908/ 0909/ 098
  Adult services at any rate, ranging from 10p to £1.50*
• 091 
  Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate. 

NB: The codes 0902 and 0903 have not been allocated at present and will be reserved for increased demand or new services.

Click here for more information and OFCOM’s full guide on phone numbers and their costs.