Dodgy phone calls

Gazz_3

Had a phone call this afternoon, claiming to be from BT Customer Services.

When they asked to speak to a certain person it set alarm bells ringing - it was for the previous owner.

The person on the line was spouting on about how I could save money on my phone bills if I paid 'them' by direct debit. When I questioned why they wanted my banking details they got stroppy and insisted I give provided them, at which point I hung up.

Surely BT would know who the line is currently registered to. Sounded very iffy to me....

Suspect it was one of these things like where a neighbour suddenly found her electricity supplier had been changed without her knowledge :mad:

SnowyOwl_2

Oh...I had something v.similar recently. It was actually from an Indian call centre (judging by the quality of the line and by the person's accent). He asked me if I was Mrs xx, I said no, then he asked if I was the person who paid the telephone bill, to which I replied yes. Then he started spouting on about how if I moved my custom to them it would be cheaper for me. I honestly can't remember the company's name, suffice to say I did not continue the call nor did I give my name or any details.

What makes it more strange and suspicious is that my telephone number was previously that of a taxi firm. I have no idea who he thought he wanted to speak to. Also my house is brand new, I am the first person to live here - not that that should have anything to do with it of course.

I really don't want this type of call, but how can you stop callers from dialling your number when they pretend (or maybe genuinely believe, ha ha) that they are calling someone else?

Gazz_3

That sounds just like what happened to me - I was half asleep at the time which didn't help, so I played along for a bit to waste *their* time for a change There were other people in the background but wasn't convinced it was typical callcentre-type voices. First 30 seconds or so had a beeping sound being played (???) that made it difficult to hear them.

Besides, the line is almost exclusively used for broadband and incoming fax calls, and I'm not prepared to put up with hassles associated with changing (or chasing up!) companies for the sake of a few pennies for calls which I don't make anyway.

pricefighter

Did any of you dial 1471,and what was the outcome.

Stonk

Register with TPS at https://www.tpsonline.org.uk. Any company considering cold-calling is legally obliged to filter their number lists against TPS and remove yours. Give it a month first to take effect, and then when you get an unsolicited marketing call:

- Pretend to be interested in order to gather information about who is calling.

- Tell them you are registered with TPS and that they are breaking the law by calling you, and would they please inform their manager of this (I'm not particularly optimistic, but it may stop them bothering others).

- Fill in the complaint form on the TPS website. They *do* investigate, and pass on information to the regulator who - one would hope - takes action if there are enough complaints.

Hugely satisfying ;o)

trisontana

pricefighter wrote:

Did any of you dial 1471,and what was the outcome.

I had one yesterday. I dialled 1471 and it actually gave me a number (starting with 020) but if you dial this number you get a message saying "sorry, the person you are ringing has hung up" .This happened three times . I am registered with the Telephone Preference Service , but this one has slipped through the net. I had a similar one from from 3 ( the mobile operator ) . when I mentioned I was registered they apologised and hung up. Even so this should not happen , especially from such well known companies , both of which are in the telecomms business.

pammie

A friend of mine had a similar call fom "BT" a couple of months ago telling her she could save money on international calls. Her daughter is emigrating to America soon and as she's a bit naive she gave them her details. They emptied her bank account the same day and she lost £300. Moral, never! never! never! give anyone your personal details unless you are absolutely sure the caller is genuine.

bonnie_2

i have just changed my phone no and it is bliss, the phone hardly ever rings, but i do miss swearing at the silly people who used to ring me at all hours.i threatened one with the tps and he was most apologetic and swore he would take my no of system.the best ones are the loan companies they ring you and say we have just recieved your application for a loan pardon you say i cant get credit any more and i wouldnt touch you with a bargepole if i could what is the funniest thing anyone has said to them i want to know.

Stonk

what is the funniest thing anyone has said to them

A pesky photo studio called offering to do some portraits at a "fantastic price", and they were really pushy and hard-selling, just wouldn't take no, or NO, or even NOOOOOOO, for an answer. So I told the woman that I was the studio owner's brother and that I didn't think my brother would want her using such tactics. Scared the bejeezus out of her, and boy did she deserve it.