Plagued by scam callers? A helpful tip...

Driver8

georgiesmum wrote: »

I went down the " i haven't got a computer " after having several calls from them. It was " are you sure," yes pretty sure as i have never used one " Never had another phone call from them.
However my daughter got one and not having heard me mention anything about these calls thought it was genuine. She went on to her computer as asked, did all they told her to and at the end they, of course asked for money. Her reply,"sorry i haven't any money at all, just living from hand to mouth, just couldn't afford it "got the response " ok madame you have a nice day ". Her computer has worked perfectly since.
I suppose these people are only trying to make a living after all.

I can't believe how utterly naive you are. You think they are "only trying to make a living" !

You are a perfect example of why scammers exist.

Dave_C_2

Laz123 wrote: »

We are all aware of the noise limiter on phones, but this method seems to work anyway. If a formula works don't change it.

1) You blow a whistle down the line, which is annoying but not harmful.
2) The scam phone calls stop
3) Blowing the whistle stops the scam phone calls

The skeptic in me must point out that this could be the "Post hoc" logical fallacy, where step 1 does not cause step 2. However, if it makes you feel better about it, no problem

Dave

johnnyboyrebel

SHOW wrote: »

I never inadvertently hand out any of my personal details. I have registered my details with the mailing and telephone preference services and therefore should not get any unsolicited calls. However, this does not stop automatically generated number callers from India, which is what this nuisance call was.

This went on for months and I tried all kinds of tricks - leaving the phone on the side, hanging up straight away, speaking to them politely, then rudely. The only one that worked was blowing a whistle!

Laz123 wrote: »

Sorry, matey, but this is not helpful at all.

I've never given out my number to all and sundry and am registered with the telephone preference agency and another similar organisation and only close friends and relatives have my number. But I've been getting these nuisance calls for a couple of years.

My solution was to blast the callers with a very loud and shrill personal alarm. It seemed to reduce the number of calls to about one every 2 months. The last one was last week when again he asked for Mr X. I told him Mr X had died and did he want to come to the funeral.

Hopefully that will reduce these calls to nil.

Clearly you HAVE given out your number at some point somewhere down the line. Of course random nuisance calls will happen but once in a blue moon. If you get lots then you need to ask yourself why.

I do not get any of these, I never use the landline so if it did ring I would be quite shocked tbh as nowadays with free calls to and from mobiles there is no need to use a landline. I dont think it is just a coincidence that I am vigilant with my personal details and do not get nuisance calls.

redpete

johnnyboyrebel wrote: »

Clearly you HAVE given out your number at some point somewhere down the line. Of course random nuisance calls will happen but once in a blue moon. If you get lots then you need to ask yourself why.

Once the first call from an auto-dialler is answered the number can be added to a list that is sold to many other scammers - so more calls will be received without ever giving out the number.

Kite2010

I like playing with the scammers, after-all if they are wasting time with me messing them about, it will reduce the time they have available trying to scam someone whom doesn't know the scam.

Some of the scam companies just use automatic number generators, if it's a hit it goes into the database, if it's a miss it gets rejected.

sillygoose

My big mistake was registering an .org web domain. Before I realised it would happen (1st time domain virgin!) the registration company had set it up with my full address and phone number in the whois details so available to anyone. Apparently an .org domain has to have correct details on it or it can be suspended so I can't have it made private. ?????????.org was the only available domain type left for anything like I wanted.

Lots of calls after that went up online.

Cure has been this device, it can be set to simply silently block calls from 'International' getting through to the phone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CPR-All-in-One-Call-Blocker/dp/B004ZDTEOQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1327840688&sr=8-2

s_b

wow £48 thats a proper scam

WhiteHorse

I had one the other day talking about loft insulation grants.

Q: When was your loft insulated?
A: I don't know.

Q: That's good. What sort of roof is it?
A: I don't have a roof. (This one passed him by).

Q: What sort of walls do you have?
A: I don't have any walls.

Long silence.

Q: How is this possible?
A: Because I live in a tent.

Shriek of rage, receiver slammed down.

johnnyboyrebel

redpete wrote: »

Once the first call from an auto-dialler is answered the number can be added to a list that is sold to many other scammers - so more calls will be received without ever giving out the number.

Hence why I do not use the landline, there is no need to nowadays surely?? I dont even have a telephone connected to the landline, it is only there for SKY and t'internet.

Zedicus

johnnyboyrebel wrote: »

Hence why I do not use the landline, there is no need to nowadays surely?? I dont even have a telephone connected to the landline, it is only there for SKY and t'internet.

Smart cookie.

Just use the free calls you get with your mobile contract, eh.