Police are warning of a new phone scam in which a 'representative' of BT asks for immediate payment and threatens to cut the line if the victim doesn't pay.

The authorities were alerted to the scam by the following email:

"I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was dis-connecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately 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, allegedly Virgin Media have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!

"I asked the guy's name - he gave me the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152.

"Obviously the fellow realised I didn’t believe 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 dis-connect my phone to prevent this.

"And he did!! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again.

"Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made and he said credit card, there & then.

"I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT."

According to a fraud specialist:
"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 a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable."