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Mystery Surrounds Phone Number 02081299344 as Scam Reports Pile Up

A phone number with the digits 02081299344 has been causing quite a stir among Londoners and beyond. Over the past few months, numerous reports have surfaced online, with many claiming that calls from this number are linked to scams. The stories are varied, but the underlying theme is clear: people are growing increasingly wary of answering calls from unknown numbers.

A Pattern of Suspicious Calls

The first notable report dates back to 1st May 2024. A user shared their experience of receiving a call from someone claiming to be from O2, a well-known UK mobile network provider. The caller, who had a heavy South Asian accent, insisted they were from O2, but the recipient wasn’t convinced. After a brief back-and-forth, the caller abruptly ended the conversation. “Lol!” the user quipped, clearly amused by the interaction.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. On 9th April 2024, another individual reported receiving a call from the same number. Expecting a legitimate call from a London-based company, they answered, only to hear what sounded like a room full of scammers in the background. The call lasted a mere 18 seconds before it was disconnected without a word spoken.

A Growing Sense of Distrust

The trend continued throughout March and February. On 7th March 2024, multiple users flagged the number as a scam, with one explicitly stating it was an “HMRC scam.” HMRC, the UK’s tax authority, has been a frequent target for impersonation by fraudsters. Another user on the same day simply wrote, “Scam call,” echoing the sentiments of many others.

One user on 2nd March 2024 recounted a call where the person on the other end claimed to be from their internet provider. “He obviously was not,” the user noted dryly. Similarly, on 1st March 2024, a caller pretended to be from the recipient’s SIM card network provider, but their lack of knowledge about the specific network gave them away.

Silent Calls and Repeated Attempts

Not all calls involved conversation. On 20th February 2024, a user reported picking up a call only to be met with silence before the line went dead after five seconds. “Most likely a scam,” they concluded. Another user on 26th February 2024 experienced something even more peculiar: they were called twice in quick succession by the same number. “Scam line. Do Not Answer,” they warned.

The silence wasn’t always immediate. On 6th March 2024, a user reported that the caller hung up after a few seconds of them answering. Another user on the same day missed the call altogether as they were already on another call.

A Global Problem

The issue isn’t confined to the UK. On 22nd February 2024, a user identified the call as coming from India, labelling the caller a “scammer.” This aligns with a broader trend of international scam calls targeting UK residents, often using spoofed numbers to appear local.

Public Reaction

The public’s reaction has been a mix of frustration and humour. On 15th February 2024, one user simply referred to the caller as “some clown,” while another on 7th February 2024 admitted they didn’t know who was calling but suspected it was a scam.

What Can Be Done?

With scam calls becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant. Experts recommend not answering calls from unknown numbers and blocking suspicious ones immediately. If you do answer and suspect a scam, hang up and report the number to relevant authorities.

As for 02081299344, the consensus is clear: this number is best avoided. Whether it’s a scam or just a nuisance, the growing number of reports suggests that this number has no place in anyone’s call log.


If you’ve received a call from 02081299344, share your experience in the comments below. Let’s keep each other informed and safe from potential scams.