Ex- directory BT Number - received call from timeshare people who knew who we are

shining4

Hi, we changed to BT a little while ago asked for a ex-directory number. We have had a lot of cold callers, automated services calling us but more recently which is freakishly disturbing a call from a timeshare company we visited in gran canaria in 2003 (went for the free booze and gifts). Anyway they used to call us everynow and again on our telewest/virgin media number but we were shocked to receive a call today from them to our new ex-directory BT number which we havent listed anywhere and they knew our names from when we gave it to them in 2003.

How the heck have they got our new number? and our details? who can I officially complain to? BT told us to get this caller thing which stopped a small amount of calls which we have to pay for. Has BT sold our details to firms so that we pay for there service to stop a few cold callers? is there a watchdog or something officially I can complain to about this? This is surely data privacy gone crazy?

Many thanks
Kelly x

Jemma-T

Get an answering machine and caller ID and leave it at that.

As for them getting your details I'm sure they're scumbags and like all other scumbags they know other scumbags who would sell your data. It could be someone working for your bank, council, parking ticket company etc etc. You'll never find out. We all know how easy it is to transfer files to a USB stick.

Just continue to protect your data the best you can and unless it's absolutely necessary keep your landline number private. Give out a mobile number for short term use (ie new fridge delivered etc). SIMs are free and easily changed -unlike a land line.

And if someone phones your landline without your express permission tell them to f**k off or -as I said- let the answering machine take it. Rip off merchants/scammers/scum bags have better things to do than leave messages.

Buzby

Have you tried finding out your 'new' phone number on the web? Did you move to your new address and BT provided the service? BT's policy is usually to reactivate the same number at the same address, unless the customer asks otherwise. This means if your address is known, they can call the phone number that was active at that time.

It's surprising what you can find if you search on your own phone number!