Absolutely FED UP with telephone cold callers

teapackets

I can't be the only person who is utterly sick to the back teeth of people trying to sell me things over the phone? :mad:

Even today, Saturday, I've had three in the space of just an hour! They ring in the morning, noon and evening.:mad:

We have to have a BT line for the internet & TV as we cannot have cable and can't afford Sky. I daren't unplug it as there is that stupid answer machine service on it so people that do really need to get me leave messages.

Much as I'd love to I can't alter the message to say "this phone will not be answered or messaged checked, so please contact one of us via our mobiles if you really need to speak to us" because there is no option to record your own message.

Is there any way of reducing these calls does anyone know, a bit like the old fax one where you entered your number online somewhere to have it removed from something??!!

stormbreaker

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/ctps/number_type.html

Has cut down the number considerably!

teapackets

stormbreaker wrote: »

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/ctps/number_type.html

Has cut down the number considerably!

LOL - have just tried to register and it says I already am - must be the fax thing I mentioned that I did at least 8 years ago!!!

Abbafan1972

I am registered with the TPS and do still get the occasional cold call. Yesterday I had a silent one and I get the odd PPI recorded message type ones.

I would like to get one of those Truecall things, but we don't get enough calls on the landline to warrant spending the money.

Itismehonest

There are things that you can do to help cut down on cold calls.
The Telephone Preference Scheme apparently you already have. BT also does it's own version called BT Privacy at Home, I think, & I'm told they automatically also register those joining on TPS.

Every time you go on a comparison site your details can end up going to the companies listed & also, in some cases, to 3rd parties.
Don't give your number to anyone unless it's absolutely necessary & always double check that there's no option in the small print for your details to be used or passed on.

Unfortunately, once your number is in circulation it's very hard to stop the calls. The TPS list goes out to those in the UK willing to comply. It isn't going to stop the dodgier ones & can do nothing to stop the automatic or overseas call.

You can pay for Caller Display which allows you to be more selective about the calls you answer but there's no way to totally guarantee stopping the calls as far as I can see.

mrputney08

If you are with the telephine preference service then tell them it's illegal to be calling you, they'll quickly hang up..but as you say you don't want them calling in the 1st place.

If they're trying to sell me something I usually say 'I've got no money' but carry on!..or 'the landlord's in France, don't know when (s)he'll be back, been gone awhile now'..Or 'you want to speak to who? Hang on', then leave the phone off the hook and go and do a spot of gardening. Or just insist they're speaking to Jesus, 'no it really is Jesus! How can I help you my friend?'. If they ask for your name tell them 'no you tell me yours 1st, I'm not telling a complete stranger my name or where I live just so they can call me at home, would you like someone calling you at home? No..'

david39

The only other thing I can add is that these calls are only of use to the originator if they can set up a dialogue with you.

Their usual approach is "Is that Mr xxxx?". Try replying by saying "Who's calling?" - if it's a call you want to accept that's fine, go ahead. If it's a nuisance call, just put the phone down without any comment.

It won't stop the calls immediately, but gradually over a few months they will die away. I was plagued with them a couple of years ago and adopted this approach. I get about one a month now.

Talking to them, or even getting wound up and cursing over the phone only encourages them, I'm afraid! They thrive on gleaning information from you about yourself - your number and your information become a valuable commodity.

teapackets

Thanks for suggestions, have just tried the putting the phone on the side suggestion, but my daughter said he just disconnected the call ... I was under the impression if you do that it ties their line up as they cannot disconnect????

veryunsure

teapackets wrote: »

Thanks for suggestions, have just tried the putting the phone on the side suggestion, but my daughter said he just disconnected the call ... I was under the impression if you do that it ties their line up as they cannot disconnect????

I believe it is the other way round. The caller (the person paying for the call) keeps the line open and closes it when they hang up.

This doesn't apply to mobile phones.

mrputney08

david39 wrote: »

The only other thing I can add is that these calls are only of use to the originator if they can set up a dialogue with you.

Their usual approach is "Is that Mr xxxx?". Try replying by saying "Who's calling?" - if it's a call you want to accept that's fine, go ahead. If it's a nuisance call, just put the phone down without any comment.

It won't stop the calls immediately, but gradually over a few months they will die away. I was plagued with them a couple of years ago and adopted this approach. I get about one a month now.

Talking to them, or even getting wound up and cursing over the phone only encourages them, I'm afraid! They thrive on gleaning information from you about yourself - your number and your information become a valuable commodity.

Very true, trip them up at the 1st hurdle, don't give them ANY personal info; and they'll note you down as a nuthead never to be called again with any luck! :T

maninthestreet

Get a truecall - some people on these forums report it is very effective against cold callers.

http://www.truecall.co.uk/