Block incoming International calls ?

GustyGardenGalaxy

My phone service provider is BT - I get sales calls from varous random companies time to time and block them via BT's 'Choose to Refuse' service. It works fine and I'm pleased with it, even though it does cost a few quid per month.

Problem is that it can't block International calls - is there any way that I CAN do this (legally of course) either via BT, my phone (which has Caller ID if it's relevant) or a separate unit attached to my phone line?

Or can I somehow divert International calls? I don't know anyone who lives internationally so I don't have a problem with blocking or diverting all calls from outside the UK.

Thanks

Heinz

If you could, you'd also bar incoming calls from those (like me) using the cheap 1899, 18185 and 18866 call providers - all of which produce an 'International' CLI at times..

BexTech

GustyGardenGalaxy wrote: »

Or can I somehow divert International calls? I don't know anyone who lives internationally so I don't have a problem with blocking or diverting all calls from outside the UK.

Thanks

You might not know anyone internationally, however blocking all International calls would be counter-productive as it could block out many genuine calls that aren't from international destinations, but from callers in the UK who have simply used a low cost calls provider.

Remember Caller Display can not be relied upon to give correct details either, the number that shows up on the display doesn't have to be from the actual number.

GustyGardenGalaxy

Good point. Hmmm, what a dilemma. Why on earth can't the CLI be display accurately for these supposed 'International' calls? I mean, BT must know what the calling number is in order to forward the call to me ........ mustn't they?

BexTech

GustyGardenGalaxy wrote: »

Good point. Hmmm, what a dilemma. Why on earth can't the CLI be display accurately for these supposed 'International' calls? I mean, BT must know what the calling number is in order to forward the call to me ........ mustn't they?

The International number is usually there, it's just that BT doesn't trust all networks that the number is real and not been spoofed, also if the originating network doesn't offer the caller the chance of withholding their number. This is why some international calls will show the international number and some won't. However divert your BT landline calls to your mobile or VoIP and the international number is passed on and displayed on your mobile or VoIP service.

Even UK numbers can't be trusted to be the real number. I used to spoof my number, used to spoof it as 000000000 or 01111 or 0111111111 or 020 0000 000 or 0121 000 0000 or 0121 987 6543 and many other numbers including other family members, local take-aways etc for fun.

Now with my VoIP service I just send out the CLID of other numbers that are my own, such as my landline, my mobiles other VoIP numbers etc.

On calls that BT mask as International the same call to my mobile would show up as would it to my VoIP lines.

ariba10

We have Caller Display and do not answer International calls.

When it gets to the Answer Machine they just hang up.

If it was important they would leave a message.

mum2one

We have the problem with international calls, "you have won x,y,z etc", even though we have registered with the preferential service, to block unwanted sales calls, they can only block uk calls. Its a case of perserve or let ur calls go via an answer phone and screen them that way.

BexTech

ariba10 wrote: »

We have Caller Display and do not answer International calls.

When it gets to the Answer Machine they just hang up.

If it was important they would leave a message.

I used to have an answering machine and the nasty 1571, however found even people I knew would hang up and not leave a message, only one person used to leave a message and that was my Nan.

If I ignored international calls when I had my BT landline, I'd be ignoring 98% of my friends and family all who use low cost call providers.