Alliance & Leicester automated telesales "spam" calls

yebaws

I have been getting 3 or 4 calls a day from this number 08000686699. The phone rings about 4 times and then hangs up. Even if I manage to answer it before the ringing stops it still hangs up on me. On calling that number I discovered that it was Alliance & Leicester calling to book and appointment for a "financial review". Obviously it's a call centre that automatically calls the next number on the list and hangs up if you don't pick up quickly enough, although it's clearly not working like that in my case.

I asked to be removed from the list, but was told that it would take 20 days to be removed and I may still get calls. I've just had one now. I find that answer unacceptable - there clearly is a way that they can stop the calls, they just can't be bothered. I intend to take it further if the calls continue and would be interested to know if others have similar experiences.

linniestorm

I haven't unfortunately, but what a nuisance! I suppose you've already started that 20 day process to be removed, I guess in the meantime the only thing you could do is block the number (if its your mobile, don't know about landlines) and write a letter of complaint to customer services. Though it probably won't cut down the 20 days it'll make you feel better!

KTF

I have had 2 of these calls so far and now just ignore the phone if that number appears on the display..

yebaws

managed to pick up the phone (very quickly) last night and speak to somebody. I think now that I've refused the financial review my number will be taken off the list, but I won't find out until this evening as that's when the calls always come...

schiff

I have heard this: calls are made by automation. If a financial adviser is not available when a call is answered, it is automatically cut off. Maybe if it's not answered within a set number of rings, the same thing happens.

It doesn't help much I know but it's one explanation. It's a b... nuisance whatever the reason!

HTH schiff

Mikeyorks

schiff wrote:

I have heard this: calls are made by automation. If a financial adviser is not available when a call is answered, it is automatically cut off. Maybe if it's not answered within a set number of rings, the same thing happens.

Yes .. the calls are being made by an automated predictive dialler. Which 'predicts' when an operator will become free and dials ahead to try and synchronise this with a 'customer' answering. So, both circumstances you quote .. can apply.

More detail here :

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/silentfaqs/?a=87101

davidjwest

It's called a "Powerdialler" and I've worked with them from an IT perspective. If it keeps hanging up on you then they've got their code wrong somewhere, but as you've now spoken to them and asked them not to ring again you shouldn't receive further calls. Assuming they've got their code right in this respect!

yebaws

Mikeyorks wrote:

Yes .. the calls are being made by an automated predictive dialler. Which 'predicts' when an operator will become free and dials ahead to try and synchronise this with a 'customer' answering. So, both circumstances you quote .. can apply.

More detail here :

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/silentfaqs/?a=87101

Thanks Mikeyorks,

That's a useful link A&L have failed to meet most of the ofcom requirements for companies using dialers. I'm not getting the calls any more and have better things to do with my time than make a fuss, but it's useful to have this info for next time..

azp74

I know this thread is 2 years old but guess what number I got 2 calls from last night ... I shall be lodging a complaint with Ofcom.

Special_Saver2

Exact same thing has happened to me now too!

mich_roh

I got a call today and they were asking me for my birthdate ????? What should I do.. I cut the phone after they asked me that question.