Telemarketing calls increasing.

PaulJM

LilElvis wrote: »

I certainly won't miss the several calls I get each week from 'Windows' about the problems I am apparently having with my computer.

I like to ask them which computer they're getting the virus from, as I have 13. (Obviously don't but it's interesting hearing them squirm)

LilElvis

PaulJM wrote: »

I like to ask them which computer they're getting the virus from, as I have 13. (Obviously don't but it's interesting hearing them squirm)

I ran out of amusing quips months ago, though I do sometimes let them talk to my toddler. Saying that you have a Mac also usually shuts them up.

Gers

My elderly mother was being plagued by marketing/research calls with recorded 'information' - up to 14 a day at one point!

I bought her this - http://www.bt.com/includingyou/products-phones-bt-callcontrol-7610.html and it was really simple to block international and withheld numbers. Ibelieve the calls get directed to voicemail. Of course genuine calls from overseas are now a minor problem though, as suggested earlier here, a pre-arranged time works well.

Interestingly the calls have dropped in number significantly over the past two weeks, so well worth the money. My mother has a corded phone in one room and that one still rings, however the 7610 does not even ring.

jhe

as i mentioned in post 9 i have had a massive increase in nuisance calls the last months.
the latest news about ebay getting hacked has got me thinking,
i have my landlline number registered with ebay, listening to the skynews today it has been mentioned that personal details including phone numbers might have been accessed.
just a thought could this be the reason for an increase in calls

Dave_Landry

I'm agreed with JJ Egan. Even more if you are paying for something you're not receiving results or benefits from.

PaulJM

jhe wrote: »

as i mentioned in post 9 i have had a massive increase in nuisance calls the last months.
the latest news about ebay getting hacked has got me thinking,
i have my landlline number registered with ebay, listening to the skynews today it has been mentioned that personal details including phone numbers might have been accessed.
just a thought could this be the reason for an increase in calls

you could have a point. I've had a few calls on my mobile, and one today said they got it from a company I've never heard of...hmm

Gigervamp

Gers wrote: »

I bought her this - http://www.bt.com/includingyou/products-phones-bt-callcontrol-7610.html and it was really simple to block international and withheld numbers.

The trouble with blocking witheld numbers though, is that a lot of public services withold the number (my hospital and my husbands workplace do), so you'd be blocking possibly important calls too.

jhe

Gigervamp wrote: »

The trouble with blocking witheld numbers though, is that a lot of public services withold the number (my hospital and my husbands workplace do), so you'd be blocking possibly important calls too.

i have all witheld numbers barred.
in my case , hospitals, workplaces, doctors surgery etc usually know to dial 1470 before my number to overide their witheld numbers.

1hatenuisancecalls

1. Don’t get mad, get even.
2. Organise your self a free 070 premium rate number (UK). It’s free to you, but can cost £2 per min for the caller. Remember to use this number on any forms you complete, competition forms are the worst. If they call you five times a day, that could cost the offending company £10. If everybody uses this tactic, they will go broke and that is music to my ears. I personally hate companies selling my data to other companies which have no interests for me. I would bet they do not respect the fact you selected option that states “do not pass my details to third party.”
3. Register your land line and mobile on TPS, it does take 28 days to process and they have no control with oversea companies. If you do get calls, take note of date/time/company names/their call back number and any other info and report to TPS
4. If you do answer the nuisance calls and it’s NOT an automated message, be polite to the agent, talk to him/her. Remember they are on commission, so waste their time. State you are interested in their SCAM products. Give them false info. If you can arrange a rep to visit, do it at a local caf! and don’t turn up. I think you get the idea. This is probably where lying would be acceptable even if it’s not in your nature.
5. Remember, spending a small effort like I suggested may save you/family/friends headache.
6. Feel free to pass my ideas to other websites, let’s make it expensive for these offending companies to cold call.
It’s fun to get even

jhe

1hatenuisancecalls wrote: »

1. Don’t get mad, get even.
2. Organise your self a free 070 premium rate number (UK). It’s free to you, but can cost £2 per min for the caller. Remember to use this number on any forms you complete, competition forms are the worst. If they call you five times a day, that could cost the offending company £10. If everybody uses this tactic, they will go broke and that is music to my ears. I personally hate companies selling my data to other companies which have no interests for me. I would bet they do not respect the fact you selected option that states “do not pass my details to third party.”
3. Register your land line and mobile on TPS, it does take 28 days to process and they have no control with oversea companies. If you do get calls, take note of date/time/company names/their call back number and any other info and report to TPS
4. If you do answer the nuisance calls and it’s NOT an automated message, be polite to the agent, talk to him/her. Remember they are on commission, so waste their time. State you are interested in their SCAM products. Give them false info. If you can arrange a rep to visit, do it at a local caf! and don’t turn up. I think you get the idea. This is probably where lying would be acceptable even if it’s not in your nature.
5. Remember, spending a small effort like I suggested may save you/family/friends headache.
6. Feel free to pass my ideas to other websites, let’s make it expensive for these offending companies to cold call.
It’s fun to get even

for me (not everyone) tbh i really could not find the time or even be bothered to go through this numerous times a day with unwanted phone calls.
easiest way for me was to buy a call blocker, i understand not everyone wants to fork out to buy one, but i really could not cope with playing games 3,4,5 sometimes more than this a day which was how many calls i was receiving.
i have had unwanted calls at 2am and 3 am in the morning in the past! not the time to humour any unwanted callers.
i am registered with TPS, my number is ex-directory.i have not entered competitions nor passed my number to anyone or any business, yet still i got increasing number of calls over the last months