calls from 01313012940

snapdragon53

Had a cold call from these folks today. Like many of you I'm ex directory, so wonder how they got the number .........if they managed to wheedle phone numbers form ANY NHS source ( GP or Hospital), that individual/organisation could be in deep trouble over patient confidentiality issues!! Maybe it's time to get 'caller display' !

Jemma-T

Block them with the Panasonic KXTG8424EB https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5526118.htm (1, 2 & 3 handset options available). They'll get an engaged tone constantly.

I now keep a block list of all these idiots.

Buzby

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/faq/#eight

TPS look into complaints about sales AND marketing. The mori calls are clearly the latter, as the purpose of the unsolicited call is to obtain information from the call recipient to assist their client. That's called 'marketing intelligence'.

Shame the TPS don't do anything themselves, but refer you to complain to the ICO instead.

rfctabs

I occasionally get scam calls to my mobile. It rings for a second or two then stops - just enough to register a missed call from an 07 number. The curious may call to see who it is but inevitably get voicemail. Of course, the 07 number will be some sort of revenue sharing premium number and, having called it, one will be charged around 50p for the privilege.

I used to be paranoid about where they got my number, then realised they wouldn't have lists of numbers at all. They'd use a software package to generate moibile numbers at random and try to call them. If it works, fine - hang up and leave a missed call. If not, fine - move on to the next.

If a caller does have a list of numbers, it could have been obtained almost anywhere. In the early days of the internet 192.com used to sell a CD of contact details culled from the electoral register and telephone directories (and maybe they still do). I asked to be taken off their site but was amazed when I was still there some weeks later. Turns out that the details were refreshed every time they re-loaded the phone book from Telewest (now Virgin), so I had to go ex-directory. But of course, the CDs will still be out there (albeit a bit long in the tooth by now). I heard their founder on the radio once defending the right of his business to use public information in any way they chose and that society had best get used to it because that was the way it was going to be from now on.

If you really want to be scared, try to find out what some of the big credit reference agencies know about you. It won't just be your address and phone numbers - debts, spending patterns, vehicles, jobs, families, web browsing habits, web shopping histories, travel preferences (wouldn't be surprised to find some medical history too although it could be harder for them to obtain) -you name it. They even have an unofficial race every year to see who can be first to load the new public electoral register to their systems so they can cross-reference to their existing data sources and update all their information. And they make millions, perhaps even billions, selling it to people like... MORI.