General Chat

I have Sky Protect on my Sky system and pay monthly through my bank. I received a call last month telling me my cover was about to expire - as I had been a good customer for so long my annual fee would be reduced by £50 - lovely I thought. It appears on my new statement under EDS Sky cover £102.50 - just looking at a programme I recorded this morning - Claimed and Shamed I see people are getting conned by companies giving Sky cover so I got out details of my cover. I find I pay Sky Protect through my bank on a monthly basis so this £102.50 is a scam - I'm gutted

Why pay Sky protect at all?

Firstly Ann im so sorry to hear this....I detest scammers :-| :-|

Have you tried contacting Sky Community, they sometimes give help help and advice and I used them at one time for something I was stuck with ...........

Sorry I can't be if any help as such <3 <3

A quick google before accepting any offer is sensible. Sorry if it sounds unsympathetic, I do have sympathy because I know they target older people who 'may' be more gullible.

Never take on anything over the phone, Sky don't do that anyway they write or email. Never give your account details out to anyone who phones you, unless YOU phone them you haven't a clue who you are talking to.

I fell for this once too Ann...................it seems we older honest people are taken in easier than the youngsters.

Not that the youngsters are dishonest you understand........*looks for rope to clim out of the hole I've just dug :-S :-D

Thieving rat bags,,,,,,,,,

Ann you got to get wised up girl.......over the phone is a NO NO......I get letters when any insurances are renewable about 2 months before.

if your sky contract comes to an end and the box breaks
just take out another contract

yes you have been scammed

Oh dear! Oh dear!

Sirius is right. Why take it out at all? Sky insurance is not a scam, but why not just put £100 in a savings account (or in the mattress) and, in unlikely event of problems, wave the £100 at the TV man down the road. You will probably get change and you will have a once in a lifetime experience (hopefully).

I get phoned regularly by people who want to sell me a policy. As I refuse to subscribe to Sky (if it all goes wrong, I think it is their problem anyway - not mine - as I can't watch their stupid programmes).

I just tell the scammers I don't have a TV but would very much like one. They give up after a few minutes and it is my favourite hobby these days, racking up their phone bills.

Hope you get all that money back, AnnC.

I was stupid and I know it all too well - not asking for, or expecting sympathy by the way, just warning others so they don't get conned as well - I've been in email contact with Sky - Barclaycard can do nothing - Office of Fair Trading next :-(

Ann it can happen to anyone you will not be the first and you will not be the last.....we learn by our mistakes and I know you enough to know you will be more heads up about scammers <3

From the BBC watchdog page,

"Once you've fallen for one scam, you could be bombarded with more of the same. Scamsters sell or trade lists of names and addresses, which is why so many unsolicited letters take pains to convince you they've dealt with you before."

and from another site

"16. ‘SKY PROTECT’ SCAM
You receive a telephone call supposedly from ‘Sky’ or ‘Sky Protect’, regarding insurance for Sky equipment. The caller may suggest your insurance is about to expire, or offering to reduce the monthly direct debit. However, the caller will then ask for your bank details – if this was a genuine call, they would already have this. ‘Sky Protect’ confirm this is a common scam – do not give your personal details to anyone calling you, whoever they say they are."

"Barclaycard can do nothing"

That sounds wrong, AnnC. You already have a Sky insurance policy. They have pretended they were representing Sky and have asked you for details of your Barclaycard and you have presumably had your Barclaycard account debited £102.50.

That is the main reason we have Barclaycards. They are expensive but they give us protection against scams and inferior goods and services. It appears to not be your problem but Barclaycards. Am sure someone will confirm or tell me I am talking rubbish. :-S

How annoying Ann, but thanks for warning those of us that didn't know this one. We have Sky Protect as well.

they say it's my fault as I gave them my card details

Oh, Ann, how awful. Cancel your card or they may try to take more.

Four years ago I had a call to my mobile saying my year was up and needed to take out insurance for my Sky box.....I was a bit shocked as I had Virgin before and never needed it with them.

I didn't take them up on it....but never knew whether it was a scam or legit......should it pack up now will just buy a new box or take out a new contract

Unfortunately John , Barclaycard will be aware that Ann has already contacted them recently about the cream scam, they won't be particularly impressed that Ann has given out card details over the phone. I think Barclaycard would argue that it is the responsiblilty of the card owner not to give out card details to a third party they have not 'checked out' as secure and legitimate.

Sirius

Would it be better to throw all the debit and credit cards away and perhaps have one of those top up cards? There are just so many today trying to diddle older folk out of their hard-earned cash.

Not that I am saying you are older, AnnC. Well, older than Katherine Jenkins. But younger than Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bonnie Tyler. :-D ;-)

No JustJohn, there is nothing intrinsically unsafe about having credit or debit cards, but you wouldn't give me your card number if I approached you in the street....giving it to a stranger over the phone is no different.

I would certainly suggest that Ann cancels that card and gets a new one with a different number.

Ooh AnnC I think Guinevere might be right about cancelling your card. Speak to Barclaycard to see what they advise first, though.