At the end of my tether with harassing unwanted phonecalls

sheramber

knightstyle wrote: »

Complain EVERY time they ring. https://complaints.tpsonline.org.uk/consumer/?/MConsumer/Default.aspx
Then sue them for your time. I am sure there is a sory about someone taking them to court.
By the way blocking witheld calls can block friends and family, my MIL has a witheld number.

If the caller dials 1470 before they enter your number the number will be revealed.

None of my family use witheld numbers.

Only my son may use an international number as he uses skype which shows as international. However, he knows the call will go to the answer machine and once he says who it is we will take the call.

Friends who have a witheld number have the chance to leave a message or call revealing their number.

Our medical services and police do not use witheld numbers but again could leave a message as they would do if we were not at home to take the call.

david39

I don't understand why all cold callers don't put 1470 in front of the numbers they ring. This will automatically reveal the number to the blocking software and get past it unless you have specifically blocked that number.


If you do block withheld numbers and are worried that you might miss a call from a hospital or other genuine caller, then re-register your number with them with 1470 at the front.

pathtofreedom

If only a couple of people have your number, if it is that bad can you just not ask your provider to give you a new phone number. Then you can be sure who you give the new number to, and hopefully the new number won't be on any lists from being used by someone else before.

I only have a landline for broadband and have never given out the landline number as I don't use it. There is a phone plugged in but I've never had a call on it.

baldelectrician

I usually let an unknown number (and a withheld) number ring for a bit before I answer


These call centres connect the call to the number that picks up first. If it is a real call it will ring longer and you can answer

pvt

One of the most annoying things you can do to these callers is waste their time, and keep them from a more productive call.

I now treat this as a sport - and see how long I can keep them on the line. The initial person you speak to is usually a low paid filtering agent, and the fun only really starts once you've got them to pass you through to a grown up, who will actually be the person who's time you really want to waste.

I know this doesn't work if you're busy and time is precious, but I can derive more pleasure from it than I can from watching an episode of Corrie.

For the ambulance chasers try to produce scenarios where it is virtually impossible work out liability: plus injured and endured sound the same in an Indian accent, so there's lots of fun to be had misunderstanding those. And for the computer scammers the personna of a doddery old git who can't hear well, and keeps pressing the wrong keys.

My record is 25 minutes with an "important official from Microsoft", he didn't even click when I asked him how come Microsoft were ringing me given that I have a Linux OS on my PC.:D

st999

And for the computer scammers the personna of a doddery old git who can't hear well, and keeps pressing the wrong keys.

My record is 25 minutes with an "important official from Microsoft",

That's nothing, I managed an hour and a half and repeat calls for 3 days because they couldn't fix my computer because my internet connection was faulty.

susancs

Op, I had a similar experience and was registered with TPS. I read this MSE (post no 36) and emailed DLG Watford to get my details removed off marketing lists. I got a confirmation email back and have not had any marketing calls since and that was a couple of years ago.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3984455

akkers

One trick is to go along for a minute or two, then say you have to answer the door. Put the phone down and enjoy until they scream and cut themselves off.

MothballsWallet

torbrex wrote: »

It's time you started, let off some steam and tell them exactly what you think of them, turn it into a tirade of abuse lasting as long as you can keep it up.

I'd be careful doing that - ever heard of the Telecommunications Act 2003?