Re: Seen A Scam? Warn us if you have!
Originally Posted by
JBR
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Yes, I believe they can buy telephone numbers, but who sells them?
Presumably, it is some government authority which controls telephone numbers in this country. If so, don't they check the identity of applicants?
Well I suppose anyone can claim to have set up a company and request a telephone number, but I would have thought that checks would be made of names and locations and records kept.
If numbers are abused, the issuing authorities should be able to identify the culprits and take action against them, at least closing down the numbers.
Of course, I admit that I don't really know how these things work.
Some just use an automated calling machine, attach it to an outgoing phone line (or many) and start ringing every combination of numbers up to about 10 to 12 digits long.
If anyone picks up, they collect that number as "active". Often they don't even speak to the picker up, as the list of active numbers which they create, country by country, is of great value to marketeers, even those we think would not stoop so low, but will profit from knowing where active lines are.
But then, it's easier to use than a phone book.