Silent calls from SHERGROUP

by Pete012 Thu Jul 07, 2022 2:42 pm

Hi,

In the last 8 to 10 months, I have been getting calll from the following number---0845 890 9205.

The first time i answered, and it was from a group called SHERGROUP---who are d debt collectors.

This is their website.

https://oldnetsite.shergroup.com/sherpay/WebUI/WelcomeHome.aspx

I asked them what they wanted and they said something about a debt that was owing etc.
Now, I do NOT have any debts---they are all cleared.
I have a feeling they are talking about one I had with VANQUIS---but that was dealt with by me over 6 yrs ago using the three letter method etc---and eventually they gave up.

I had a call from SHERGROUP again this morning, and when I answered, it was 2 seconds of music followed by silence.
This has happened quite a few times.

I cannot put a block on the number, as my phone does not have that option.

It would seem that they have bought a "debt" from someone who I have had a debt with in the distant past and are trying their luck.

Does anyone else have any knowledge of SHERGROUP?.

Pete.

by **daveiron** Thu Jul 07, 2022 4:16 pm

I've had a look around on Companies House & Company Check and all they
show for Shergroup is solicitors in Norwich ,The assets listed dont look as
if they would match this outfit which also operate in Florida & Dehli.

May be worth a Cease and Desist Notice to the London address shown.

by memegirl777 Thu Jul 07, 2022 4:30 pm

The website does not work ,
Are you sure this is not a scam full stop ?

by flyingfish Thu Jul 07, 2022 6:01 pm

I think this is an attempted scam. That number 0845 890 9205 was one that Shergroup used to use many years ago, which is consistent with the fact that the page mentioning i (the non-working page) has the url starting "oldnetsite".

Their current web site is www.shergroup.com and none of the menus there take you to a page showing that number. If I can work out how to make a non-traceable call I might try ringing that number and see what happens.

I can't see that Shergroup are debt purchasers, unless anyone knows different.

So it smells to me like one of these scams where they call someone at random, they probably offer to settle your debt at a discount if you pay over the phone.

by memegirl777 Thu Jul 07, 2022 6:48 pm

The Wixi site web hosted is one I used many moons ago costs £200 per annum. Not something a proffessional organisation would use ..
I would block the number you are potentially being charged a stupid rate to answer it ..

by Pete012 Fri Jul 08, 2022 12:49 am

Thank you all for your replies and advice.
I cannot block the call, as I only have a landline and it an old one with no facility to see whos calling or to block a call.

I will just ignore it.
The fact that out of the many times they have called me (about once every few weeks) only once did the actually speak and say who they were---and that was someone with a heavy Indian accent.
Since then, the calls are silent--save for 2 seconds of music at the start---then silence.

by flyingfish Fri Jul 08, 2022 9:23 am

I just called Shergroup on their published number 020 3588 4240, and the lady confirmed that 0845 890 9205 is still one of their numbers, she called it their "debtor services" number and confirmed that it would appear as the calling number.

This doesn't mean it's not a scam of course, but not the one I originally thought.

By the way and not to teach anyone to suck eggs, the silent calls are typical of poorly managed and cheapskate outbound call centres. A machine works through dialling numbers from a list, then if anyone answers it connects to an agent. If they don't have enough agents the call just gets silence. Maybe in this case outsourced to an overseas operator to do the bulk calling.

by flyingfish Fri Jul 08, 2022 1:44 pm

Thinking a bit more it's pretty easy to spoof your calling number (I did when I called Shergroup for example), so the fact that this is one of their numbers doesn't actually prove it was them calling.

by memegirl777 Fri Jul 08, 2022 7:36 pm

I do not know if this helps but a quick google of " block land line calls "
bought this up ,
Probably check before doing it but may help ,
It is a pain once your details are sold
Here is what I found
Dial *60 on your landline phone to stop unwanted calls from a specific phone number. Dial *77 to turn on Anonymous Call Rejection on your landline and wait to hear the three beeps. This means that any calls that come through as Private, Blocked or Anonymous will be blocked.

Good luck,

by Pete012 Fri Jul 08, 2022 11:45 pm

flyingfish wrote:I just called Shergroup on their published number 020 3588 4240, and the lady confirmed that 0845 890 9205 is still one of their numbers, she called it their "debtor services" number and confirmed that it would appear as the calling number.

This doesn't mean it's not a scam of course, but not the one I originally thought.

By the way and not to teach anyone to suck eggs, the silent calls are typical of poorly managed and cheapskate outbound call centres. A machine works through dialling numbers from a list, then if anyone answers it connects to an agent. If they don't have enough agents the call just gets silence. Maybe in this case outsourced to an overseas operator to do the bulk calling.

Thanks for that, Flyingfish.
I had another call from them today---silent.
I will just ignore them---or maybe my internet/ line provider can block them for me.

by **assassin** Sat Jul 09, 2022 2:15 am

I would keep a log of all these calls just in case and a simple chart produced on your computer should suffice and show date, tome of call, number if shown, and a short description of te call which would be listed as silent and suspected scam.

Should anything happen in the future it shows a history of silent calls and as your alleged debt is statute barred you can make a claim against them for harassment.

by flyingfish Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:03 pm

I'd be tempted to quiz the caller, the challenge is that it needs to be done without giving them any information. For example tell them you'll only deal in writing but don't give your address. After all if they don't know the address they can't possibly have any claim.

For the call that was answered, did the caller ask for anyone by name? It could be a completely blind fishing trip just hiding behind a fake calling number.

by Pete012 Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:04 pm

assassin wrote:I would keep a log of all these calls just in case and a simple chart produced on your computer should suffice and show date, tome of call, number if shown, and a short description of te call which would be listed as silent and suspected scam.

Should anything happen in the future it shows a history of silent calls and as your alleged debt is statute barred you can make a claim against them for harassment.

I will do. Thanks Assassin.

by Pete012 Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:07 pm

flyingfish wrote:I'd be tempted to quiz the caller, the challenge is that it needs to be done without giving them any information. For example tell them you'll only deal in writing but don't give your address. After all if they don't know the address they can't possibly have any claim.

For the call that was answered, did the caller ask for anyone by name? It could be a completely blind fishing trip just hiding behind a fake calling number.

The only time anyone answered was the first time they called.
It was an Indian (strong accent) and he did ask if it was me (by name) he was talking to.
Since then, it has been silent calls.

by memegirl777 Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:26 pm

Personally if I'm getting calls I don't want to accept ..
As soon as it's apparent I answer them seriously angry ..
Do not give them chance to speak and...
Who is this take this number off your call list I am sick of these calls take this number off your call list now ..
Or words alike..
Loud and clear ..
Don't converse ..
Put phone down ...
It works for me ..
Makes it sound like they're barking up the wrong tree ..

by **daveiron** Sun Jul 10, 2022 8:49 am

One option i have used for many years with my landline is a TrueCall system
It logs & records everything ,in or out.
It saved me over £400 on a disputed bill with BT ,which after they learned i
had a recording of a call from them ,the bill was zeroed.
It also provided evidence for a claim i brought against a major supermarket
regarding mask wearing.
It intercepts every call ( except starred callers who get straight through)
Everyone else who wishes to talk to me has to state their name before i
allow the call. Annual cost £ 20.

by **assassin** Sat Jul 16, 2022 3:36 am

I use a similar system and saves them as compressed files which can be opened and played back totally unedited and it poroves so many people as lioars, great evidence.

by Mobo Thu Aug 17, 2023 10:23 am

Pete012 wrote:Thank you all for your replies and advice.
I cannot block the call, as I only have a landline and it an old one with no facility to see whos calling or to block a call.

I will just ignore it.
The fact that out of the many times they have called me (about once every few weeks) only once did the actually speak and say who they were---and that was someone with a heavy Indian accent.
Since then, the calls are silent--save for 2 seconds of music at the start---then silence.

Try eBay you can buy call blocker for around £10

I use cpr call blocker v5000

Try buying from China same item but much cheaper

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