BT Call Protect?

Frank99

Unsure if this is the correct forum but i have reached the maximum of 100 spam calls on my blacklist but BT are claiming i must delete the old ones to add new however, after doing this the old calls are now coming through:mad:
We all know the telephone preference service is about as useful as an xmas tree in June but in wonder if tactics are the key.
If i pick up the call and not say anything will this cost them money or unplug the phone from the wall so i don't hear it.
My wife still wants to hold on to this landline because of her internet but we are bombarded with these calls everyday, we even have international call and withheld calls switched off!:(

Owain_Moneysaver

It will cost them money, but a negligible amount.

If you don't need to keep the number, you could try changing it, as some number ranges seem to get far more nuisance calls than others.

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

I’ve moved your thread from the ‘In my home’ board to the ‘Phones & TV’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

jaybeetoo

Scammers will change their number every time they call you. I'm not convinced a blacklist is that useful.

I use an answering machine. Unless I recognise the number I let the answer machine answer the call (I can still hear it). If it's a call I want then I pickup otherwise I ignore it. The scammers usually hang up if they detect an answer machine.

ToxicWomble

Have you looked at/considered a BT true all handset such as the BT 8600.
We have one and NEVER get cold calls anymore.
Only downside is that people not in the “phone book “ have to go through an announcement process, but more and more companies and people are getting used to these systems so it shouldn’t cause any issues

Ian011

The approach offered by BT Call Protect appears to be deeply flawed.

Look at getting either a trueCall plug-in box, a handset with trueCall built in, or swap to a landline provider that offers trueCall features built into their telephone network (e.g. Sky Shield or TalkTalk CallSafe).

This provides a more robust solution. Known callers are let straight through. Unknown and unrecognised callers are challenged to indentify themselves. If they fail to do so, your phone does not even ring. Most scammers simply hang up at this point. If they do say something, you listen to what they have said and can then accept or reject the call.

Chino

Ian011 wrote: »

If they do say something, you listen to what they have said and can then accept or reject the call.

So how is this a "more robust solution"?

Ian011

The vast majority of scam and junk calls fail at the verbal challenge as most simply hang up and your phone does not even ring. That's what you wanted wasn't it? Peace and quiet.

It does not rely on a "block list" to get rid of unwanted calls. It is therefore effective against scam callers who keep presenting a different spoofed CLI each time they call.

You can add friends and family phone numbers to an "accepted calls" list so they are not presented with the verbal challenge when they call and will get straight through.

There is a block list too. Numbers on that list do not get as far as hearing the verbal challenge. They are told where to get off and then cut off.

Mister_G

Another vote for the BT8500/8600. We've had ours 5 years now and not one of these spam calls has got through.

JJ_Egan

Noticed the last few months more of the scammers are using a recorded message that goes to answerphone .