Have you received an automated call from BT advising that the internet will be terminated in 24 hours due to illegal activity? If the answer is yes you should read this.
We recently received two calls. Both had a robotic voice warning us that BT would be canceling our internet connection within 24 hours due to illegal activity.
We decided to investigate!
Are these calls a scam?
YES!
These are scam calls and they are not from BT. They are designed to make your heart race and get you panicking so that you will give out information. The best thing you can do is remain silent and put the phone down but even if you have given out information do not worry we will tell you what to do.
What should you do if you receive an automated call that your internet will be terminated in 24 hours?
There are variations of the call some ask you questions, some ask you to press 1. It is important that you do not take any action.
- TRY NOT TO PANIC
- DO NOT SPEAK
- DO NOT PRESS 1 (or any other number)
- NEVER GIVE OUT ANY INFORMATION OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
- DO NOT CALL BACK ON ANY NUMBER PROVIDED
What if I already gave my details out and I am worried that BT will terminate my connection?
If you have already received the call and you have accidentally given out your details… Do not panic. We are here to help.
First, contact BT directly on the below customer services number and explain that you have received a call advising that your internet will be terminated due to illegal activity.
BT Customer services number: 0800 800150
They will check your line first for any problems and then reassure you. They may suggest you add additional services such as BT Call Protect, which is free at the time of writing and allows you to block scam or nuisance callers. This is an optional extra.
If you have given out any usernames or passwords to anyone it is important that you change them now. If you have given any banking details then contact your bank and advise them now.
Please read our next section will which advises how the scam works and what to expect next.
How does the scam work?
Like all scams they trying to extract information or money from you. There are a number of variations to this scam but the most common works like this.
You receive a call with an automated message advising that your internet will be terminated within 24 hours due to illegal activity and asks you to press 1 for more information. Your name/number is then added to a list of people to scam in the future.
You will receive a follow-up call from an IT expert asking you to go to your computer and connect to a website. It is important you do not do this.
They will advise you that your computer is full of viruses and ask you to pay an amount to remove the viruses.
Alternatively, they may just sell your information on to others who will either try to scam you or sell you products. You do not need to panic but you should be aware if you receive calls in the future.
Do not engage, pay anything or follow instructions. Hang the phone up
What if they gave me a number to call or a website to visit?
It is important not to call any numbers as these are likely to be premium-rate numbers which could cost you a lot to ring.
The same applies to any web address that you are given over the phone, this could contain viruses or other potentially harmful malware, spyware, or you could be giving access to your computer to a complete stranger.
A list of numbers identified with the BT internet terminated in 24 hours due to illegal activity scam
As people have listed numbers in the comments below I am adding them to the list of numbers here. Thank you to all that advise numbers. Please add to the list by commenting below and maybe together we can encourage BT to take action.
0815973970, 0016128000371, 02884620613, 05511120523, 05763083787, 02355821922, 07793643638, 07962661006, 0036413258. 03938522347, 078937328583, 06204083943, 03014019336, 04211123984, 00130259861488, 08281241992, 08047615145,02601770447, 02291804074, 01441355189, 05320215766, 01739879931, 05111440543 and 02978495034. 02961664923, 001332345303970, 02995702075, 02903036750, 0294363974, 03171022721, 08064 135733, 00400452864465, 01547449556, 004966848701265, 02085349533, 001634139269, 001337536652, 07520573452, 07431137948, 01367 7845987, 00684666880, 03944547107 and 00349757713.
What to do now that you know the BT internet termination due to illegal activity scam?
Please warn all your friends and family by sending them this article! The more people we warn the less will get caught out by these scammers.
You can use our social share buttons or copy the link to this site and email it to friends.
Note: if you managed to record the number that called you then please share in the comments below. So that we can help each other! and remember to report to BT by clicking here.
If you would like to see more from me, click here.
01142473386 Didn’t name our ‘provider’ but all else the same. Seems this Scam is never going away!
luckily the ‘disconnect internet’ scam phone call went to voice mail on home line. as an IT professional i am looking forward to the follow up call to hear their bs. i did think the land line was x directory or whatever its called so its not listed anywhere. so will be calling the telephone provider and asking whats going on. this is the 1st landline phone scam we ever had.. i have a rule i will never give any details or confirm anything from an incoming call. just say no . always.
Got the call and started to panic a bit, instead of doing anything I searched it up to see what was going on, this web helped me from a near panic attack, thank you and I’m sharing the web site to my whole school and all my friends
Got this call today. As soon as I heard the robot voice I knew it was a scam and saying it is bt which we don’t have….
Call saying they are from. BY 00346262251121 disconnecting internet due to fraudulent activity. Going up
There is no point in collecting numbers as they change all the time and there are hundreds of thousands of them. In any case there are other websites that specialise in these numbers, like “Who called me” where you can look them up fast.
Adding numbers to the comment section helps if someone else searches for the number then this information comes up. Additionally, it adds credibility to the webpage and makes it rank higher in the search listings – which helps others who have received the call find the information. I wish there was more that I could do to encourage BT to take more action to prevent scams and calls like these.
07967 866101
07967 866737
07967 866140
07932 503142
01793 736652
07811 473552
07811 490706
07749 569790
07274 789795
07625197516
07906 536787
07907 806205 for me.
07779480980 called me saying that they were from BT and that my mobile phone line had been hack and press button 3 or 4 for more assistance. I hung up. I knew it was a scam because I am not with BT for my internet or mobile phone.
I just had this call from a robotic voice, asking me to press 1 for BT and 5 for ‘other’. I think the number was: 07794668503. I got it from 1471, and wrote it down. I was just about to double check it – as I was in panic mode, so wasn’t certain I’d copied it right. But then someone I know phoned, so I couldn’t do 1471 again. Thank you for putting my mind, slightly, at ease.
Had 2 of these calls today, automated message telling me my mobile contract would be terminated in 24hrs as my IP address had been associated with fraud then asking me to press 1 to speak to an investigations member. Called on 07961 109821
Recieved an automated call this morning, unfortunately I pressed 1, was put through to someone I could barely understand who wanted to know what devices I was using, wanted me to go onto my computer, I hung up, and then recieved 2 further calls from 2 different numbers which I didn’t answer. 02082956299 02074785574 02075144535
Had 2 calls following this format on 4 Feb 2021 from this number:
03325634793
We have recently been having multiple calls with BT about our broadband connection. I wonder if it’s a coincidence or maybe the scammers know we’re always expecting calls from BT!
0115 9402512 This is my local dialling code, which is why I answered, but when I checked the number, it is registered in India! 🙁
3 calls today from 01018586700 which, I believe is from China.
Multiple calls today.07520573452, 07431137948, 01367 7845987. Didn’t utter a word to any of them. I’ll block them later.
00684666880
03944547107
Super popular today 001634139269 001337536652 00349757713 advising of illegal activity on my internet which will be cut off within 24 hours and asking to press 1 to speak to an advisor , just hung up. Looked the numbers up nothing registered.
Called today from BT (allegedly) on 02085349533 (automated message) advising Internet would be cut off in 24 hours due to illegal activity – press ‘1’ to speak to investigator. Very convincing male voice, unlike the usual robotic tones of most automated messages! I keep answering machine on 24/7 so message deleted and then blocked via BT Call Protect. Needless to say the scammers will have a whole host of different numbers.
Just had a call from 01951205202 advising of illegal activity and asking me to press 1 , so I hung up. Looked on several sites to see if this number had been previously recorded as fraudulent and it does not show up.
Happened to me just now: 01914917814
Just happened to me today, telephone number 004966848701265, I did press 1 and asked them to tell me who my internet provider was, which of course they couldn’t! Do I need to do anything with regards to my laptop which hasn’t been switched on?
Hi Kate,
Assuming you have not given any usernames or passwords out or provided access to your laptop in anyway then I would think you are fine. If you get further calls from IT professionals – I would hang up and never give out details or click links.
All the best
Chris
Same reasons as all of the above – this was not answered as automated voice threatening to cut us off – 00400452864465.
Multiple calls today. The last one purported to be from 01547 449556 and, when you dial that number, you get a message that the number is not recognised though the UK area code is for Knighton on the Powis Shroppshire border.
Got a phone call from service provider with the illegal activity press 1 message number was 08064 135733
Should maybe add, make sure their line has definitely disconnected (leave your line live until the automated system has disconnected) and ensure you hear your regular dial tone before dialing 1471, you might want to wait a few minutes to be sure they’re not still on the line.
We just got one of these – 3rd October 2020 from “Your service provider”. The number was: 03171022721.Disembodied computer voice. Allegedly they were going to cut off our internet in 24 hours because of illegal activity. Whatevs.
Multiple calls today
02995702075
02903036750
Had a similar calls today from 02961664923 & 001332345303970 & 0294363974
No information was given and I hung up
They only say “your internet provider” if they dont know who they are it’s obviously scam. Total bull about illegal activity
Just had a call that seems to be the same. I didn’t press 1 or speak beyond the initial hello when I lifted the receiver. Did 1471 and got 02978495034. Hung up
Just had this call. Didn’t speak or press anything. The number that called is 0828 1241992
Had a similar call today from 08047615145
No information was given and I hung up
Had multiple calls these last few days
02601770447
02291804074
01441355189
05320215766
01739879931
05111440543
Some of these numbers rang, didn’t speak and then deaded the line. Others were the automated message saying my internet providers trying to get in touch about illegal activity and that my internet will be cut off in the next 24-48 hours. Only for last night, my internet to go down ahaha it’s probably just a coincidence but good to know this is still happening as late as last month
Had a call at 0822 from 04211123984 pertaining to be BT Technical Services and are investigating illegal activity on my Broadband. (Automated voice) I hung up.
Then again same voice same message at 1055 but using the number 00130259861488.
Both numbers reprted to BT and also blocked in my phone
Just had a call to our business saying internet would be cut off due to illegal activity. Number was 03014019336. As usual, asked me to press 1 to speak to one of their “executives”. I put the phone down.
I’ve had 2 calls to our business this morning from 06204083943 stating that our internet would be terminated in the next 24 hours due to illegal activity.. press 1 to connect to talk to some one.. DID NOT DO THIS .. just hung up
I just had a BT scam which included me installing a “mirror app” that looked a lot like the rescue apps used in device cover in Currys/PC world etc, the number he used was 078937328583 this morning, sounds really convincing with threat of criminal action as “someone is using your line to download illegal images/vids etc & i could let him “help me” which would take 5 mins or he’d cut my Internet off for 4 days until a technician could come, I don’t use online banking & only use a debit card but it’s pretty bad knowing someone has all my tablet private calls etc, do NOT download the app! Its a mirror app not a “rescue app” which the app is called
Miss,
Thank you for highlighting this new attempt, I am sorry this happened to you. I suggest you make sure the computer is not connected to the internet and then check which files were accessed by pressing the Windows key and ‘E’ together and then looking at the recent files. Check using Task manager to see if any apps are running on your computer that you are not aware of. Look for things like Teamview or tight VNC. Also, look at the system icons (near the clock at the bottom right of the screen click up arrow) for any remote access software and close it.
Then back up all your data to an external drive. Once backed up, restore the computer to a point in time prior to this happening. Then run your virus, spyware and malware software, delete any browser extensions you didn’t install and cookies. Finally, I suggest you change all your passwords immediately and log out of anything you are logged automatically into. Happy to talk more if you would like?
Chris
Adding my own call..
03938522347
From ‘your service provider’.
I would like to thank everyone who posts the numbers and encourage you all to continue.
Just had a call. I didn’t press 1 but said ok disconnect me I don’t care. Then I hung up
0036413258- about our sixth call….
Just received 2 phone calls of the same nature claiming to be BT. Tried to tell me my internet will be cut off in 24hrs due to hacking. The numbers are 07793643638, 07962661006.
05763083787 has called three times this morning, same automated message about illegal internet activity.
Calls from 06058 396314 form ‘BT Technical department’ advising that my internet would be disconnected within 24 hours and to ‘Press 1’ to speak to an executive in order to cancel this action.
05511120523 and 02355821922 both today.
Thank you for sharing the numbers, I will forward all numbers to BT for investigation as well as a list here.
Call from 02884620613 – automated message claiming internet connection will close in 24 hours because of illegal activity. Don’t press for any options – clearly a scam
Great – thank you for sharing Linda!
Yes good idea, if this happens to you post the numbers here so people can see.
0016128000371
0815973970 called me doing exactly this. I just hung up and didn’t provide any information. Checked my internet provider and had no contact from them so figured this must be a scam!
Thank you, shared.