Mysterious, unknown caller offering $99 unlimited broadband; legit or not?

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Mysterious, unknown caller offering $99 unlimited broadband; legit or not?

BigRat

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#142503 14-Mar-2014 21:32

So, just as I arrived home at night, I get a sudden call from a mysterious ISP (doubt it's Chorus) whom which the caller said that our streets are getting a network upgrade; yes I can tell that our street is indeed getting a nice network upgrade by Chorus (could be fibre). So after explaining me the details of the "special" deals on ADSL2+ broadband, the lady then asked me for my address, phone/mobile number, email address, our current ISP and account number and in such a suspicious move, our Drivers Licence number for "verification". Has anyone encountered this before, while their street is/was getting a network upgrade?

I know that for once scammers had over the years tried every method of trying to scam people out of their pocket or been stealing their details. But even though I have not received this kind of call before, I already have my suspicions up. Because I don't see what's the point of calling a random household in a middle of the night just to offer a good deal. I never heard of this promotion before, so what does everyone think?

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#1005905 14-Mar-2014 21:36

Did Orcon call you by any chance?

And noooo. Given they called you and said its available THEN asked for your address is a dead giveaway, I would go through and report this is ID theft.

hyperman

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#1005908 14-Mar-2014 21:38

If they don't clearly say who they represent then smells like carp to me .....

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BigRat

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#1005912 14-Mar-2014 21:39

I had no idea who it was. I didn't hear them well at the beginning. It could be them, but considering I had a long day today (since 7am till 7pm at uni), I am not so sure! That's why I want to ask if anyone had received this call. But I do know that Slingshot does also offer unlimited data; copper or fibre.

muppet

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#1005915 14-Mar-2014 21:41

Well yes, it won't be Chorus because they don't offer Internet services.

You provide so little details it's hard to know. Did she purposely refuse to tell you who she was calling from? Or did you just not hear/forget?

Did they call you on your cell, or home phone?

Maybe it's a scam, maybe not. Asking for a drivers license doesn't sound legit.

johnr

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#1005919 14-Mar-2014 21:43

Chorus is not a retail service provider, Did you ask for the company name that was calling you?

coffeebaron

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#1005922 14-Mar-2014 21:43

It must be BigPipe's new campaign: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=158&topicid=142498

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BigRat

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#1005926 14-Mar-2014 21:50

muppet: Well yes, it won't be Chorus because they don't offer Internet services.

You provide so little details it's hard to know. Did she purposely refuse to tell you who she was calling from? Or did you just not hear/forget?

Did they call you on your cell, or home phone?

Maybe it's a scam, maybe not. Asking for a drivers license doesn't sound legit.

Well as I said earlier, I didn't hear clearly who she was calling from. She called over home line. As for further detail, she outlined the deals as it goes: $75 for homeline + 250GB ADSL2+ connection, or $99 for unlimited data on the same package. And she also said that for free I can get a wired modem, but for an extra $20 I could opt in for a wireless one.

BigPipeNZ

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#1005928 14-Mar-2014 21:52

coffeebaron: It must be BigPipe's new campaign: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=158&topicid=142498

Nah, we don't need drivers licence, and we do need credit card for payment, so it's impossible to 'Slam' somebody unless they give up their cc details.

ETA: and we don't have any $75 plan either, nor free modem.... Neither do we have any outbound calling sales team for that matter

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BigRat

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#1005933 14-Mar-2014 21:56

Speaking of credit card payment, the lady also asked me if I will either pay online with a credit/debit card. I said to her that I normally pay via Postshop, and she said that's fine as well. If you think about it, I hardly heard anyone asking for my payment preference.

freitasm

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#1005980 15-Mar-2014 01:13

I hope you did not give her your account number, identification or credit card number?

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BigRat

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#1006039 15-Mar-2014 10:18

Actually, to give everyone a break, it was Slingshot, as I've found out today. So nothing to see here!

But so tempting of them but I'm not in a mood to switch over, unless if Telecom is giving us too many headaches.

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johnr

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#1006042 15-Mar-2014 10:23

I know which ISP I would rather use out of the two and it's not Slingshot,

NonprayingMantis

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#1006043 15-Mar-2014 10:24

BigRat: Actually, to give everyone a break, it was Slingshot, as I've found out today. So nothing to see here!

But so tempting of them but I'm not in a mood to switch over, unless if Telecom is giving us too many headaches.

That is still very dodgy.

Unless you agreed to sign up, then they shouldn't be asking you for all those details like drivers licence etc

Slingshot recently got fined for doing exactly this, so they should know better

http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/slingshot-fined-slamming-tactics-5775792

Buzz Bumble

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#1006045 15-Mar-2014 10:34

Looks like Slingshot is yet again sub-contracting out their marketing to a cheap garbage company with no morals or scruples. :-\

johnr

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#1006047 15-Mar-2014 10:39

BigRat: Actually, to give everyone a break, it was Slingshot, as I've found out today. So nothing to see here!

But so tempting of them but I'm not in a mood to switch over, unless if Telecom is giving us too many headaches.

Main thing I would like to know did you hand over the details requested?

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