A Warning - Passed on by Ken Carter

'I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment imediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date. The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, ellegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!
I asked the guy's name and he gave me the very 'english' John Peacock with a very foreign accent and phone number 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152
Obviously the fellow realised I didn't beleive his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how and he told me to hang up and try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this - AND HE DID!!! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - untill he phoned me again.
Very please with himself, he asked if that was enough proff that he weas with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made and he said credit card, there and then.
I said that I didn't know how he had done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't beleive his name or that he worked for BT.
He hung up.
Dialed 1471 and phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.
I phoned the police to let them know. I wasn't the first! It's only just started apparently, but it is escalating.
Their advice was to let as many people as possible know of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please make as manay family and friends as aware of this.

Response from Littlehampton police station:
Real con job, don't get caught:
How it was done:This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800 152 0800 800 152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying (this is because the person who initiates the call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced!
By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past merchant services - it is all about getting the credit card details which include the security number so that it can be used for far larger purchases.

Andy OrpinPolice Community Support Officer

Weight off Workshops - Crawley

Do you want to loose some weight and become fitter in 2012?

Crawley Wellbeing in partnership with Age UK West Sussex and Big Lottery Fit as a Fiddle programme are offering a Weight Off Workshop course on behalf of Age UK West Sussex in Crawley. This is a 12 week weight management programme, covering a weigh-in, nutritional discussion and includes a light physical activity session. This course is particularly targeted at those aged over 50 who want to enter a weight loss programme that they can sustain, it is not a diet but a way of loosing weight gently and enables people to make lifestyle changes to improve health and wellbeing. You can still have a Kit Kat!!!

Start date: - Saturday 14^th Jan, 2012 to Saturday 31^st Mar, 2012 (ideal time to loose that Christmas Weight!!)

Time: - 10am - 11.30am, weekly for 12 weeks

Venue:-The

Silver Birch Centre Shackleton Road

, Tilgate, Crawley, RH10 5DF

Cost: - £25.00 per person, per course, payable in advance to Age Uk West Sussex. Cost covers the whole course  including a weekly exercise class.

To book: - or for further details please call 01293 585317 or wellbeing@crawley.org.uk

Cherry Tree Centre visit Gatton's School

Photo of Andrea and Barbara (Managers of Cherry Tree Activity Centre, Burgess Hill) at the Gatton’s School who kindly gave us their harvest festival goods.  Cherry Tree were invited along to their assembly on 28^th September and spoke to the children about the centre and what fun we have.  We had also sent the School some pictures of our members ‘doing’ activities, such as the Royal Wedding, IT Suite, Bluebell Railway visit etc. which the school displayed on a loop on a big screen during the assembly so the children could have a better insight of what the centre is about. Thanks for having us Gatton's School!