SKY has revealed how customers must respond if they receive a scam call.
Phone calls trying to trick Brits into handing over cash are increasingly common.
SkyPhone call scammers may claim there’s an issue with your Sky TV or broadband – and demand money or personal information[/caption]
Scammers are sophisticated and will often seem very convincing over the phone.
They may even have some of your personal information.
And they’ll usually make threatening demands for money or private info.
A Sky memo warns customers over these “fraudsters”, and reveals six tips to staying safe from scam calls.
How to stay safe on a scam call
The number one piece of advice from Sky is to not give your name or number when you answer the phone.
This is to prevent scammers from learning about you – or recording your details.
Secondly, Sky says that you must never give out any personal details.
If Sky really needed to contact you for personal information, you could simply ask to ring them back – and dial the direct number on the official website.
That way, you know you’re talking with an official Sky representative.
The third tip is to make sure that the caller identifies themselves.
“If they ask ‘What number is this?’ don’t tell them,” Sky said.
“But ask ‘What number did you dial?’
“If there’s no reply after giving a greeting, hang up.”
The fourth tip is to avoid following any member options or making any number selections during the call.
It’s best to just hang up.
Fifthly, use your voicemail to screen incoming calls.
But there’s an important tip to remember: “Make sure your voicemail greeting doesn’t include your number or that you’re on holiday,” Sky said.
Finally, there’s one more trick that can spook the scammers.
“Press a digit on your keypad so it sounds like you’re starting a call trace and speak as if someone else is in the room,” Sky said.
Remember that if you actually need to speak to Sky, you can do so by going to the official website or app and using the legitimate contact information.