Recording Telephone Coversations

DavidSmith123

Hi Everyone,

Sorry, problem with trying to post previously. Couldn't log back on.
Anyway...

Not very tech minded - so please keep it simple!

Firstly - apologies if there is already a thread for this topic.

I'd like to record my telephone conversations, for reasons of disputes about what was agreed etc.
Mostly for consumer issues etc.
I know most large companies have such a system - that gives a pre-recorded message to the other person (presumably this is a legal requirement in the UK?)

Has anyone used this kind of software as an individual / contractor etc?
I often receive calls mobile to mobile. I don't currently have a landline.

I'd like to have it set as default - ie so all my ingoing and outgoing calls are recorded.
I'm thinking of buying a new phone and having a separate one for social and work / commercial use. (Obviously wouldn't have the recording setup for the social phone!).

I currently have a Nokia Lumia 520. I know it has a voice recorder, but I want one that automatically records every conversation and gives the other party message first.

Going to have a look online, but grateful for any personal experiences or recommendations.

Thanks

agrinnall

I knew I'd seen a thread asking a similar question recently...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5474916

DavidSmith123

Thanks.
I've had a look at that thread.
I know there is an app for the Nokia Lumia, but all the apps so far seem a bit ''cumbersome'' - ie I would have to announce that I am recording the call to the other party and then activate the app.
I don't want to have to do this every time.
I was looking for something like businesses use - ie automatic message before I answer the phone and everything recorded by default.

I'll carry on looking on line and see what I find.

TrickyWicky

There are plenty of android apps for recording calls. I used to use call recorder until i replaced my phone and then forgot to reinstall it (the first replacement was playing up... then found it was the yahoo mail app at fault but never bothered reinstalling CR on the 2nd replkacement).

Anyway have you thought about a dual sim phone? - Tons of them on ebay and dual sim means you can simply turn off a (work) phone number when needed and be done with it. IF you take this route there is a nice app called Automate.. which lets you design flow charts of things it should do automaticaly on your phone. There is an event for incoming calls.. and it allows you to check if its on sim1 or sim2... it also allows you to record things.. so you can see where i'm going here.

Me personally I used to record everything.. and still would regardless of sim. It doesn't matter if its work or another company... or a family member on the other sim... if you've got the recording they can't back track.

[Deleted User]

TrickyWicky wrote: »

and dual sim means you can simply turn off a (work) phone number when needed and be done with it.

If it's only certain numbers you want to ignore (say your company's office number, or your manager's home/mobile number), just put the number(s) in the "blacklist".

esuhl

As I understand it, you only need to advise people that you are recording a phone conversation if you are a business, or if neither people on the conversation would be aware they were being recorded.

I can't remember where I read that or if anything's changed, but it'd be worth double-checking as you may not need any kind of automated message.

Sicard

As far as I know if you are going to use the recording for legal purposes you have to let the other party know you are recording the conversation.

TrickyWicky

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

If it's only certain numbers you want to ignore (say your company's office number, or your manager's home/mobile number), just put the number(s) in the "blacklist".

Not all phones have that... and besides, there is always the chance the other party will realise what you've done and ring from another number thus it's easier to be able to turn that phone / sim off!

esuhl wrote: »

As I understand it, you only need to advise people that you are recording a phone conversation if you are a business, or if neither people on the conversation would be aware they were being recorded.

I can't remember where I read that or if anything's changed, but it'd be worth double-checking as you may not need any kind of automated message.

Thats correct. It's covered by the data protection act - which only applies to businesses and other organisations within the UK.

The tradeoff for individuals though is that you can be sued for playing any recording to someone else without that persons permission. EG if you and I have a conversation where you say something that proves i'm right or something else that the press might be interested in, you could then sue me if i leaked it to someone else. This is a technicality though, in reality i doubt many people have ever bothered or known they've been played back but it is something the op needs to be aware of.

Laurie_Sicard-Askey wrote: »

As far as I know if you are going to use the recording for legal purposes you have to let the other party know you are recording the conversation.

Nope, not as an individual and you don't have to tell a company you're recording them either (which some company staff misinterpret because they think the rules that apply to companies apply to everyone).


So to recap, private individuals CAN record audio of private conversations without needing consent BUT you could get into a sticky situation if you play it back to other parties without consent of the person(s) in the recording.

CCTV is the same except that you're not supposed to let it view / record other peoples property and some argue public property. When I had this out with a policeman once his attitude was that they don't enforce the public property bit and whoever does, won't be able to defend against the camera slipping and accidentally recording the pavement outside your house. Additionally it's th same principle as a camcorder / video camera which you can use in public places (except some areas of london i think need filming permits but with smartphones thats going to be impossible to police). Obviously pointing a CCTV camera directly at your hot neighbours bedroom window is going to get you in the deep stuff.

DavidSmith123

Thanks for the replies.
I'd prefer to have the recorded message, as a possible deterrent to people making false statements in the first place.
I'd prefer to avoid disputes arising.

stockton_2

Friend of mine has just purchased a cordless phone from Argos. (Big Button BT 4500). It has three handsets and an answerphone, cost about £80. You can get them cheaper with fewer handsets. It has a "record" button on it which you press to record a conversation. There is, quote, "no audible noise to indicate that the call is being recorded."

She did not know about this facility until she bought it but thinks it might be useful to record conversations when negotiating deals with utility companies. Her phone and broadband contract with BT is up soon so it will be ironic if she records her first conversation with BT customer services using their own recording equipment.

It does not say anything in the handbook about having to notify people in advance, that the call is being recorded.

TrickyWicky

Stockton,

DavidSmith123 wrote: »

I often receive calls mobile to mobile. I don't currently have a landline.

So how will a cordless phone from argos help the op?