All my personal telephone numbers have been registered with The Telephone Preference Service for some time, but today I received a recorded advertising message which has just p–ed me off. I’ve reported it to TPS and to ICSTIS (the UK regulator of premium rate numbers) with the following message:
On 15th September 2003 at 19.29BST, I received a recorded (female voice) telephone call to my home residential number (that is listed with the Telephone Preference Service).
The message said I had won a £1000 prize award (well, my telephone number had) and that I had to call 0906 638 9992 at £1.50 per minute (call last 7 minutes) to claim the £1000 award. For terms and conditions, I was to see www.moreflights.net (may be incorrect) or write to PO Box 6017, Basingstoke, RG21 4BZ.
It’s bad enough that I was called whilst my number is listed on the TPS, it’s twice as bad that it was a recorded message that had no human operator at the other end, third that I had just got to sleep after an extremely long and hard shift at work, fourthly that it was advertising a premium rate phone number and fifthly that it’s probably a “rip-off/con”!
I hope this company (which failed to give a name, details of where they had got my number – apart from ‘randomly chosen’ or any other identifying information) gets massively fined and shut down!
473 Comments
You got that too? My parents had it – I would have reported it but I couldn’t get the number written down, and of course when I rang 1471 all I got was ‘The caller withheld their number’ >:-( .
Just to say I was delighted to find your complaint re the automated telephone advertising.
I’m also TPS listed and am always furious that telephone advertisers always withhold their numbers.
I’d not heard of the ICSTIS but have now complained both to them and the TPS. Like Neil T I didn’t get the full message details including the net page but your information confirmed and enhanced what I had scribbled on an envelope giving me enough information to make the complaint.
Thanks! (I found you by Googling for Box 6017!).
Regards. Carol D, Cheshire
Got the call today, 19 Sept, on my answerphone. Im not with TPS but pay BT to stop withheld numbers. Complained to ICSTIS.
I managed to “capture” most of the information because I was next to my computer and can type fast – but that URL is incorrect: if anybody managed to grab it: please let me know!
In fact, any information you have – feel free to add it! It definitely breaks ICSITS guidelines for premium rate phone numbers:
“3.2.3: Services and promotional material must not, or must not be likely to: a) result in any unreasonable invasion of privacy”,
“3.8: No premium rate service may be promoted as being free. No product or service may be promoted as being free, or described in a way that implies it is free (for example, a gift)” I’d include a “prize” under this definition myself “if the most obvious or practical way of obtaining it is by using a premium rate service.”
“3.9 Inappropriate Promotion. Service providers must use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that promotional material does not reach those for whom it, or the service which it promotes, is likely to be inappropriate. Service providers must use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that their services are not promoted in an inappropriate way” I’d class automated recorded phone calls to people listed on TPS and possibly minors (as they can’t tell who answers the phone) as inappropriate
“5.2.2 Promotion material for competition services (which includes “information about prizes and how to claim them”) which generally cost more than £1 must clearly display…b) details of how the competition operates and an indication of any tie-breakers”
“5.2.8 Competition services and promotional material must not a) use words such as ‘win’ or ‘prize’ to describe items offered to all or a substantial majority or participants”
If lots of people complain to ICSTIS (contain times and dates if possible) then they should be able to invoke “Emergency Sanctions” and get the service shut down ASAP.
Just out of interest, and playng back the message, I think that the URL is http://www.4flights.net
Update, October 25th
I was delighted to receive a letter from ICSTIS today regarding the £1,000 prize automated call.
The Prize Warehouse was fined £10,000 and access to the service barred for twelve months.
Thanks to all who complained and shared information.
Regards. Carol D.
Same here – a copy of my letter is available in my latest blog posting.
hi
Just received a call from an automated voice telling me i’d won a prize. I called the number and i was then given an address – just “googled” for it and saw all your correspondence! They are now operating under the name of Exceptional Promotions from the same address (PO Box 6017) and i’ll inform the ICSTIS right now! Still a premium rate number and no warning till part way through the call
mand
They’ve started to txt mobile phones now !!
My wife got 3 txt msg’s in 2 days.
2 were from
Exceptional Promotions
PO Box 6017
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 4ZB
Prem’ rate number :- 09061 745840
and 1 from
“You’re A Winner”
PO 11958
1001GZ
Amsterdam
Prem’ rate number :- 09063 444635
Unfortunately, she fell for these “carrots on a stick” and had phoned both the Premium rate numbers before I got home. At least she had the sense to write down the details.
Needless to say, there won’t be a post from us heading in their direction, just to ICSTIS in the form of a complaint.
I have just received two consecutive text messages on my business TPS registered mobile.
“You have an important customer service announcement from Premier. Call FREEPHONE 0800 542 0578 now!”
On calling the 0800 number, the call is answered almost immediately with –
“Good afternoon Premier Promotions, congratulations you have been selected to receive £1,000 cash prize or a 4 star holiday including flights. Have you got a pen and I’ll give you the number to call to claim your prize – 0905 000 3447. Call from a landline and you will get all of the information necessary including your personal claim code. Calls cost £1.50 per minute and will last for 7 minutes, if you are over 18 you are guaranteed to win one of these prizes.”
I called 3 times (0800) and heard the same script but the last three digits of the number to call change – probably the call centre agent’s commission is based on these – and the second agent DID NOT ADVISE ME OF THE COST OF THE CALL.
I have reported this to Cambridgeshire Trading Standards and they have logged it.
The first time I called, I challenged the agent – asking where she had got my mobile number and asking who they were and where they were. She said that they were Exceptional Promotions and that they were in Cheshire, when I asked her to be more specific, she terminated the call.
Hope this is of interest/help.
I’ve just received a call from Exceptional Promotions congratulating me on my prize (usual stuff, money on holiday). I asked where she got my number from and was told I had been specially selected. i told her I was registered with TPS and she offered to delete my name. I told her that any list of numbers which the company had compiled or bought needed to be cross referenced with TPS. She hung up!
The company you are speaking of is Premier Promotions. I got a call from them this morning saying I won £2000 and when I asked about the call, they told me its £1.50 a min and lasts for seven min. I have already wasted an expensive call by calling this company. I hope some court screws this company and the guy who runs it gets mutilated into peices by an angry called turned berserker.
anyone heard of Jackpot Promotions Nicky Fisher left message on my machine saying I was one of big prizewinners in comp I had entered last year. I had won either 42 inch plasma screen, Personal DVD, Personal Computer, Cruise, £5000, or first prize of a car. I just had to ring 0906 1119000!
I live in Basingstoke and have started receiving badly addressed mail to an address similar to mine to Premier Promotions. I opened one without realising it wasn’t to me and it said:
10-03-04
Aged 63
Mrs (withheld)
address
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to claime my prize I have won claim No 6679.
Hoping to hear from you.
Mrs …..
Phone mumber –
Prize money £2000
Any advice as to what I should do? I can’t find the company using postcode software I have access to, or I would go round there and be difficult. Should I send these letters on, or phone the people back and tell them not get suckered in? Or is the company doing anything I can report it for?
Hello gang, they just had me too 4.25pm 17/3/4, I’m really xxxxxx off. It’s so rude……
Their current details are :
Premiere promotions Hotline
3-4 woodlands business centre, Basingstoke, RG21 4JX
The message was so long and roundabout and then the address was a hurried garble at the end. Excuse me, but BASTXXXX………
I feel much better now, you lot have cheered me up. I think we should all gang up and claim our money back, I swear they have broken loads of laws. Otherwise, the law must be changed……..
Peace to all
Damien
Thought you ought to know: you are a fantastic bunch! I just had half an answerphone message from “Nicky Fisher at Jackpot Promotions”, but my answerphone cut out (or committed suicide) before the number was given. I had the speil as did Carolius (March 15th above) about having won a major prize. Not being a trusting soul I Googled the two names & got your site. I wonder what their list of prize-winners looks like?
Something else too: I get the odd text telling me I’ve won x & to call a number (no charge mentioned), but I also get dateline texts. They say “text back STOP” to stop the messages, but isn’t that illeagal as again there’s no charge mentioned? After all it would cost me to text them to stop unsolicited messages.
I just hope there’s an afterlife and they spend it getting junk-calls/mail/spam/texts/faxes!
Carolius – I recived exactly the same recording today – same prize details and premium line no. 0906 1119000 left as claim line no. to call (with no mention of the fact it was a premium line no.)- automated junk calls…surely the lowest of the low!
Amy x
Just had a text telling me to ring 0800 542 0582. On calling I was told the same stuff as above: £1000 or £2000 in high street vouchers if I ring 09061 211367. I was told that the call would last 7 mins at £1.50/min, but was told that it was ‘definately genuine and not a scam”…asif! I asked them where they got my number from and they said “I had just got lucky, as it was drawn at random”
Can’t someone close these charlatans down!
“You have an important customer service announcement from Premier. Call FREEPHONE 0800 542 0578 now!”
I just keep calling them and let the phone sit idle. It’s costing THEM because it’s FreePhone 0800 and ties up their time.
I had a call from Premier Promotions today but instead of giving out an 0800 number they simlply say ‘Press 0’.
I just got a call from this “Nicky Fisher” from Jackpot promotions, all the same except I was offered £600 instead of £5000.
I have two lines to the house, one business, one for personal and the personal one was a personalised message for “the ***** family”.
Just out of interest, has anyone actually called these people to see what the message on the other end is?
I found it very strange that she left her extension number of 4344 but only an “automated claim line” premium line to call.
I had the same call from Nicky Fisher at Jackpot Promotions,in fact had it twice. The first time the message was to quick so had no time to take any details. The second call was recorded on my answer machine, so took the details.
I rang the premium line number at £1.50 per minute and was told the call would last 4 mins. The call was automated and ran through all the prizes in turn, giving more details about each. Then you get to the prize section, you are first requested to enter your age, for security purposes supposedly. Once this is confirmed you are requested to enter your mobile telephone number to see what prize you have won. I was informed that I have won a 7 day cruise of the bahamas, it stated that in order to claim the prize I am to send a SAE to the Jackpot Promotions Address with a claim number they gave me.
Not sure how genuine this actually is. I’m temepted to ring it again to see if it gives out the same prize or even try a different mobile number to see what happens.
Thox
Just had the same Nicky Fisher call, thanks to this blog I now know it was Jackpot Promotions. Cheers, i’ll be onto TPS and ICSTIS directly…
had message on answer phone from the same Nicky Fisher, so rang the number at £1.50 per minute seems i’ve won a cruise too, yeah right!, address i’ve had is P O BOX 2087, WREXHAM. get around dont they.
I have had the full phone call from Jackpot Promotions and it goes as follows:
This a message for the Roberts family. I am the claims manager for Jackpot Promotions and you entered one of our competitions last year. I am delighted to inform you that you have been drawn as one of the major prize winners now basically that means that i am pleased to tell you that you have won either a 42″ plasma television, a personal dvd player, £2,500 personal computer, an all expenses paid cruise to the Bahamas, or £6,ooo cash or possibly our star prize which is a £15,000 volswagen beetle. Now in order to claim your prize you call call me, as I said my name is Nikki Fisher, my extension number is 4344, alternatively you can call our automated claim line on 09061119000 thats 09061119000
I have also received an answer phone message from ‘Nicky Fisher” and apparently I have won a BIG prize.
As I don’t enter competitions I guessed it was a set up.
My phone number is registered with the TPS…where do these people get our numbers from?
I’ve just had a similar call and asked to telephone 0906 120 6045. I heard a mechanical voice saying “you have 1 voice mail” and then a femaile voice saying she was the claims manager informing me I’d won £1000.
When I saw the 0906 number I became suspicious, googled and found this. I will be reporting this number to the ICSTIS. Thanks for the link.
Had the same call from Jackpot Promotions as above. Totally suspicious about premium rate 0906 numbers so typed it into google and ended up here. I pay for caller display and the number that came up several times this evening was 01273 861500. Whether it was them or not is another question but that person was certainly persistant today having rung at least 6 or 7 times. Will report this to ICSTIS as suggested above. Thanks to everyone for the info.
Well well. Isn’t the Internet wonderful sometimes. I recieved this mysterious message exactly as shown in Colin’s message of March 22, 2004 11:06 AM and imediately started racking my brain as to what I’d been up to last year. Then I thought I’d do some searching and this log popped up and here I am.
I think I’ll give the ICSTIS a call too.
Sorry to anyone who called the number
Darling Nicki left me an answer message and feeling a bit down and disorientated after having just come out of hospital took the bait.
I realised my mistake when it the automated number saked for my mobile phone number. I don’t possess nor have ever possessed a mobile phone!
I agree with all on this messageboard that something needs to be done about these calls. At the time I was being treated for depression and this call sparked a moment of brightness, false brightness to someone feeling quite vulnerable at the time.
The whole thing is sick in my mind!!!
Regards,
John
On March 24th, 2004 am yet another mug (me) succumbed to the Nicky Fisher scam. I rang the number she gave after 4 minutes and being asked my age and mobile number the line went dead, leaving me £6.00 poorer. I imagine the cruise that people have allegedly won involves leaving on a tuesday when there’e a Z in the month and you probably have to pay a several hundred pound ‘administration charge’ thats how it normally works!
I received a call today from a jackpot promotions, won a prize, usual rubbish,press 0 to continue, and did so, and asked who they were etc. The bloke said they were Exceptional Promotions, and whe asked gave me the conatct number 01270 790957. I hung up on the lad, and called it, and of course it doesnt work. I rang ICSTIS and was told the address registered with the 0906 number I was given by the spammer. If any of you are in Wiltshire, can you stop by and put their windows in? Square One Communications, 40 Station Road, Westbury, BA13 3JN.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
… to everyone who has taken the trouble to post their experiences of Nicky Fisher and her “Jackpot Promotions” lark.
I returned home after work tonight to the exact same message from her detailing the “42inch plasmas screen TV, personal DVD player, etc etc etc” that we had won – just call this number…
I called it thinking it must be a scam, but a little unsure, but hung up as soon as I realised that it was a premium rate line. I decided to Google for “Jackpot Promotions” and “Nicky Fisher”, and lo and behold, here you all are…
and you have saved me an expensive phone call.
As are many of you, we are also registered with the TPS and I shall be reporting Ms Fisher and her cronies to them in the morning.
BTW, has anyone actually RECEIVED their prize? Call me a cynic, but I somehow doubt it….
I too have had the call from Nikki Fisher of Jackpot Promotions and was immediately suspicious about the premium message number being the only available to call back. As I’m on the TPS I am annoyed, and concerned that my number is back out in circulation. Although I didn’t phone them I resent the time it’s taken me to check my number is still unlisted, complain to TPS, complain to ICTIS, etc. Where are these firms getting their numbers from? Anyway many thanks to Richie for the blog as it’s confirmed to me it’s a scam.
Blimey – I’m so glad I checked this out on Google, Nikki Fisher called me on Sunday and left the same message as per Colins’ details – sounds like she has been a very busy lady over the last few days !! Sorry to all who called the number.
Nikki Fisher is at it again.
I loathe (cant stress that enough) direct mail and phone soliticing. I finally got around to adding my name to the TPS in January but I’m still getting cr@p like this.
I didnt even consider phoning the prem. rate line but instead googled for Jackpot – hey presto I’m here.
Just to be warned the phone message seems similar to the one printed above (VW car won etc) but the phone line I jotted down was 09058090200.
Now on to moan to the TPS!!!
Nikki Fisher on extension 4344 ‘called’ me but didn’t leave the rest of the number. I too have one a major prize if I call 0905 8090200… I think the only thing i’d win is a nice dent in my phone bill..
FAO Rod, R.E. your message on 23rd March.
I have just been phoned by the 01273 861500 number you mentioned, and on ringing it back the number is not recognised.
It is a Brighton number, a switchboard, and provided by Cable & Wireless, if you find out what it was, please post back. C&W just preached the ‘data protection act’.
Thank you.
Having just been through a rough time with my husband being ill, seemed like a dream come true to receive a message to say I had won a grand prize through Jackpot promotions. Like a sucker,I called the number and “won” a fully inclusive holiday to the Bahamas. Then, 2 minutes later found out my mum had won exactly the same prize!!The address they gave me is :Jackpot Promotions
PO Box 2087
Wrexham
LL11 4ZQ.
How are these people to be stopped??
Yep call me spazmo! Just got the Nicky Fishface ruse done on me too. I won’t be sending my details off though thank you very much. I will however be coughing up the 7 quid when my Bill arrives.
I’d pay another 70 quid for five minutes in a room with Miss Fisher, the Fat cat owner of Jackpot Promotions and a selection of dentists tools!!!
I wish I’d googled this site before my Jackpot Promotions debacle. I too have apparently won a cruise to the Bahamas and have a reference number and address in Marleybone to send my details. My message tells me to send a code which I wrote down and my mobile phone number too. What’s really galling is that, when it came to the bit where I had to leave my mobile phone number, I don’t even know it, so had to start all over again (having wasted that much money, I was determined to have another go and see what happened). I had entered a competition a while back and stupidly thought it related to that, but then got deeply suspicious about the whole thing. Anyway – I have all the details scrawled down – can anyone quickly tell me who I shop them to?
Mug
As so many of you i also wish my missus had checked out this site before calling “our friend” nicky fisher. To be honest tho im glad it’s not another scam that i’ve heard of where they can rip you off by hundreds of pounds.At first i thought it was exactly that. But thanks to this site i feel a bit better.But something must be done to stop this.
I received a call today (27.03.04) from the infamous Nicky Fisher, she left her message on my voice mail. Thankfully, I got directed to this site after searching for Jackpot promotions on the Web after not being able to remember entering a competition last year. Sorry to anyone who called the number but hopefully the natural enthusiasm to win these prizes wil be matched by your eagerness to complain about these unsolicited calls and put a stop to them. I will be complaining to ICSTIS and also registering with TPS.
Had the same message left on 25 March. I’m not usually gullible and recognise this sort of stuff for what it is. Thankfully I googled the number and arrived here, but the message is very nearly convincing. I am also TPS registered and will be complaining to TPS, ICSTIS and Trading Standards. I am also going to write to Private Eye and The Guardian as not only is this illegal and unscrupulous, I fear these sleazebags are laughing all the way to the bank as they continue to operate until such time as they are closed down. I have traced some information on at least one of these companies (there are about 20 or so registered at Woodlands Business Village, Basingstoke RG21 4JX) including Premier Hotline Promotions and several other similarly appearing names. Directors of this and other companies include: Nicholas Elmer and Jason Gambling. Anyone familiar with these names or know where they live?!! I presume they are using an actual TPS list to make the calls – is anyone scammed to date, NOT already TPS registered? Other companies based at this address include fax broadcasting
Yep another one been suckered,got a 1571 message,didn,t sound like a recorded message so i phoned the automated claim line 09058090200 ,same message from Nicky Fisher i had won a Bahamas holiday,was asked to send claim number and large envelope to an address in Wrexham,won,t be sending anything, lesson learnt.
Can anyone tell me who i should report them to?
Janet
Had the same message from ‘our Nicky’ left at 15.34 to our family. Have not rung the number and will be advising all family and friends not to! Have complained to the ICSTIS via an online form. We are registered with TPS as well so will be informing them also.
After years of comping and only ever having won £30s worth of bananas(!) I thought I’d finaly hit the big one when the ‘nice’ Nicky Fisher rang me at 6.46 this evening (27/3) and was kicking myself for only just missing her call!! It was so convincing with ‘you HAVE won one of our major prizes of a 42″ plasma TV etc etc’ (word for word as above and with Ext 4344 too but only a premium rate number to ring!) Common sense prevailed and I phoned the BT operator (for free!) who firstly said he couldn’t tell me how much per minute it would cost as it was a commercial number and “they can set any rate they like!” He then got further advise and said it would be £1.50 but he always went my what his grandmother told him “if it sounds to good to be true it probably is”!!! So I didn’t (phone the number that is!) but decided to google instead and within seconds found this site. Will circulated this link to all I know without delay. ONE POINT – HAS ANYONE ACTUALLY RECEIVED A PRIZE FROM NICKY OR HER CRONIES YET??
Pixie
Thank you to – everyone who warned me about Jackpot Promotions – and this site, which was the most informative I could find. I had the same Nicky Fisher call.
Kay Kelly
We have just received the same message from the cunning Miss Fisher and following our suspicions ended up here before making that call. Thank you to everyone for confirming what we already suspected. I am however concerned about them getting ex-directory numbers and will be raising this issue with BBC’s Watchdog. Hopefully Nicky Fishyfingers will get an expensive call of her own from the correct authorities!
Got the call too on my answermachine. Sounded quite genuine but being a suspicious type I did a google search and ended up here.
Damn, I take it its a scam then.
I too recieved a message from Nicky Fischer on 28/03/2004 at 17.03. Apparently I won a bahamas cruise (sucker !!). The number I was asked to call was 09058090204 (with a random extension of 4344 to an unknown phone). The address that I was given was Jackpot Promotions, PO box 2087, Wexham, LL114ZQ. They asked me to send a self addressed envelope to them to collect prize after asking my age and mobile phone number.
Let’s get them please…………..
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