"IVA" cold-calls - what can be done?

EssexHebridean

It's a pain getting these calls in spite of being TPS, I'm right with you there. How I deal with cold callers generally depends on the mood I'm in at the time. Playing "the most stupid person in the world" can be quite amusing as they often start thinking you're so gullible they're going to get an easy sign up....but carrying on being "stupid" and misunderstanding everything they say eventually makes them give up through sheer boredom. Asking them where they got the information that they are saying they have (works best for the "I'm calling about the accident you had" ones) about you is quite rewarding these days since GDPR came along. had one on Saturday who was "ringing about the problem you have with your computer" and claimed he was from the global technical helpline for all windows and Mac computers in the UK....when I stopped laughing I asked him to provide me with his company name and website address...he prevaricated over the name and only got as far as "www." before I heard someone hissing at him in the background not to give the website address... rofl either way that's 5 minutes he's not going to spend scamming someone else. Anyone who starts by saying "Can I ask you whether..." generally just gets "No, you can't" which usually throws them off track a bit.

If I have the time I work on the basis that as with the one above, me wasting their time gives them less time to scam someone more gullible. If I don't I tell them to go away - how politely depends on how little time I have. I get nowhere near as many calls of that type as I used to though - I suspect because there are lists doing the rounds of "good numbers to call" and if you waste enough of their time eventually your number starts getting taken off those lists.

Guybrush_Threepwood

Thanks all for the advice above. My list of blocked numbers is now at 103. Still getting calls most days but latest tactic is to tell them that the person they are asking for (i.e. me!) has passed away. Seems to have reduced the frequency a bit.

tallyhoh

I get loads of phone calls, I was going to suggest watching a youtube video but having reviewed it its a mite offensive, sorry

Humdinger1

Guybrush, I have a free app that cuts out many scam numbers before your phone rings. Not sure if it's ok to name but using 4s for the letter its m4numbe4 hope that helps

tealady

I just pretend I have died, tends to confuse them a bit especially with the "I am ringing regarding your accident ones"