Question about phone notification of wins

happy_pea

Hi all, I really hope I am posting this question in the right place - I am new to this and there seems to be so may rules on this forum! I have a question - I've looked at the FAQs but I feel none the wiser, so I am hoping some of you lovely people can help.

I'm always very reluctant to put my phone number on competition entries for fear of being spammed with phone calls, and as a general rule I don't often answer my phone to unknown callers. I assume if I won something and they called me they would leave a message or at least try again, but it has occurred to me that they may just draw another winner if the phone call isn't answered. Anyone have any inside knowledge about this that they could share with me? I've had two missed calls this week from unknown mobile numbers and I'm wondering if I missed something?!

Thanks very much in advance for any pearls of wisdom, and also for the time so many of you clearly take to share competitions!

libra10

Most of the competitions posted here are from genuine companies and there are few spam problems. Most suspect ones are soon weeded out.

Personally, although I enter competitions requiring landline phone number, we receive few spam calls. Registered with the TPS, which also helps.

It's difficult to say whether not answering a call might result in losing a prize, most companies would either leave a message or try again.

Good luck!

topaz13

I have a cheap mobile phone that I use just for comping. That way I don't get calls on my private number.
I've registered the comping phone with the telephone preference service, which means that I don't get cold calls, so in theory any calls should be comping related. I also make sure that I always tick the 'don't contact me' boxes on comps.
In the many decades that I have been comping, I've only been called to notify of a win maybe 2 or 3 times. Any missed calls, I google the number to see if it is a nuisance call, which 99.9% of them are. If I pick up and its a cold call, I tell them that they are breaking the law because I'm registered with the TPS. They hang up and don't call back. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop calls from abroad, but I only get one a month at most of those.

mjm3346

Failure to answer can mean they move on and even if they do not immediately do that in theory data protection limits what, if any, messages can be left - also if they do try several times before moving on then by not leaving any message that prevents any "upset" from them awarding the prize to the next person and the original "winner" phoning back and trying to claim.

I am very selective about what I enter and have not had any unwanted landline calls as a result of entering competitions.

happy_pea

Thank you for the insight! It's reassuring to know that comps on this site are generally low risk for spam. Maybe I should start answering the calls I do get though, just in case :O)

xLuckyxAshxWinsx

Absolutely everyone seems to have my mobile number but I have downloaded truecaller. If a call comes in that has been reported as spam I can either reject the call or I usually answer it see who they are then rename it as something I understand and block any future calls.

comper__9

i dont give out my mobile number. i would assume companies use a logical response if someone wins.
I give out my landline which has an answerphone, they also have my email address, which can be used to contact me if they don't leave a message.

ANGELWINGS

I!!!8217;ve downloaded Mr Number onto my mobile and it works brilliantly at stopping spam calls and identifying them too on screen.

mjm3346

Companies, especially when it comes to big prizes, usually contact by whatever method (if any) they state in their T&Cs - if they say they will phone don't expect them to e-mail.
ITV on "time critical" ones call in the daytime 3 times in a three hour period then move on - some of the radio ones call once and move on.

The chances of winning a proper big prize are very slim, failing to answer the phone can only keep the odds that way or make them worse.

booklover500

I have been on here for about 4 years and think I have only had two calls on my mobile from any company that has got my details from comping so I guess I'm lucky.