Cheap alternative needed to block witheld numbers

soundslive

Hi All, i regularly get with held numbers to my landline, between 10-15 in an evening, probably more throughout the day. Is there any way of blocking these, my line rental is with BT but calls are with Sky. I am aware of a couple of options with BT, does any one know of a cheap way to do this? thanks

Buzby

If you were on Virgin, they would give you ACR (Anonymous Call Rejection) free of charge. Unfortunately, BT charge for this service. Like you I used to get 6-10 calls daily from these numbers, and they stopped when ACR was turned on. BT chargr £10-odd per quarter, but the peace makes it worth every penny.

There is no viable (cheaper) alternative - unless you unplug your phone.

One way round it is to change your number, OR use BT's CallSign Service, you then ignore the ring pattern for your original line, and only anser the new for for the new number, but even then Withheld numbers can and will still get through to it. Incidentally, ACR isn;t foolproof either, many firms will corrupt their CLI to send random digits or an undialable number to get past ACR. Even the Police get round ACR by flagging their calls as 'international'. (no number available).

GustyGardenGalaxy

There's also the issue that you sometimes might get legitimate calls from people who withhold their number for privacy reasons, so if you block all anonymous calls you wouldn't recive the legit calls either.

I honestly don't know why BT don't do more to stop sales related calls, although the cynic in me says that they indirectly make money from it ...........

BT also state that their system cannot reveal international numbers, their systems supposedly cannot identify the caller ID. Cobblers says I - if the call came into their system then they must know where it originated from.

Talking about number scrambling, I sometimes get sales calls from 0000-00000

I ask you !

orangemonkey1

hiya

do you have any idea who these calls are from? If they are marketing/sales calls then you could sign up to the telephone preference scheme (TPS). Its a free service whereby registering means a company cannot call you for marketing/sales purposes, unless you have given them permission to do so.
It is a LEGAL requirement for them to adhere to these rules.

Its got nothing to do with witheld numbers so these would still come through to you if they are not sales calls.

check out the website
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

ps its a free service

GustyGardenGalaxy

I'm with the TPS. Gave up reporting 'illegal' calls to them as they never do anything about them.

Jemma-T

Get an answering machine.

JohalaReewi

Have a look at truecall. Previously mentioned here...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1251043

GustyGardenGalaxy

Thanks, looks useful but a bit expensive at 100 quid. Still pondering buying the 60 quid Panasonic phone which allows you to block numbers. Will do some more reading on the Truecall though.

Jemma-T

Was this the Panasonic I mentioned before? Just make sure you get the correct set www.panasonic.co.uk Full userguides there. Mind they can't stop other phones ringing in the house if they're plugged into extensions.

Mine allows for blocking certain hours, certain phone [permitted] numbers etc etc. All my banks now use 0800 for callerID so they get through no problem (if I permit them of course). Many legit companies now don't withhold their numbers for the reasons we're talking about.

We all get so many crap calls I think the answering machine is the most powerful tool ever. Spammers, cold-callers and scammers just can't be doing with them. They're not for every household obviously but worth considering.

GustyGardenGalaxy

This is the Panny that I meant:

http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/cordless-phones/cordlessphones-answering-machine/panasonic-kxtg-8421-phone

Jemma-T

Yeah, my phone is 2 models previous to that. It's really worth shopping around so get the exact codes and try eBay http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/?_nkw=KXTG Argos, ASDA, Dixons online and Currys.

Nothing wrong with the older models which you tend to find on eBay new boxed or white boxed (refurbed). Many online (not ASDA, Dixons but speciality shops) stores sell these white boxed items and they're usually perfect IME. Use Google via the UK www.google.co.uk/webhp?complete=0&hl=en