Silent Calls

pinkvixen

websiteowner wrote:

I think the key point with your case is that you registered a business number, and while I don't know the ins and outs of registering business numbers and what to expect - I suspect BT felt justified in selling your number since (and I know this is an over generalisation), "why have a business if you don't want calls from potential clients or business partners?"... and I'm pretty sure the number wouldn't have been ex-directory and therefore they were simply providing information that you could get elsewhere (ie the phone book)

I find it hard to believe that BT sell lists of residential numbers listed on the TPS or indeed numbers that are ex-directory since this would go against the whole ethos of ex-directory. My parents are ex-directory and never got bothered by companies they didn't know - and I had a similar experience until recently... not sure if the recent house move has anything to do with it, but I thought the number would still be ex-directory.

AFAIK you do not need to re-register with the TPS, but of course this might be different for business numbers.

Thanks for that, but the calls are not potential clients or business partners, they are ALL telephone companies wanting to offer their services, ie. cheaper phone call rates etc. I was actually told that BT had sold them the list, we wer not lifted out of the phone book or any other method. Nevertheless, I get at least 3 of these a week and I have better things to do than answer junk calls.

BTW. I got a new one today, asking who deals with the petrol and diesle in the company!

MrSmartprice

I had another call form 0870 7360031 last night, turns out to be Barclaycard. I told the woman that she had just committed a criminal offence as we were TPS registered, and proceeded to explain how she could be personally prosecuted and fined £1000. She was clearly worried and put me through to the manager. I told him that I would be reporting the matter for prosecution against company and operator. He couldn't grovel enough, and said we would be removed from their lists immediately. I made him give me the full details of the company in order that they could be reported, which he did very meekly.

This tactic seems to be working well, as we have not had any repeat calls from companies where we have used this method.

MDUK

The response? Yep! 'BT sold it to us.' Would you credit it?

So, forget ex directory and the TPS and definitely forget them 'guessing' your number. BT are cashing in by selling lists of numbers to potential sellers of telephone services. BT are not the ones ringing you but are still making a tidy profit.

Do you beleive everything you are told?

Why would BT sell numbers they know to be registered with TPS when they know the PR backlash they would face if that got out , and also i am sure that they would be contravening some regulation.

Do you not think a 'dodgy' company might just use a scapegoat and BT is certainly the easiest.:wall:

Sooler

MrSmartprice wrote:

I told him that I would be reporting the matter for prosecution against company and operator.

What would be the most appropiate form of legal action ?

Davidboy

We could all use people power here - we all phone Excell Contact centre using their 01294 number use 141 before you dial and just stay silent, give 'em a taste of their own medicine!!! Hee Hee!

D

bernardh_2

I did 1471 on the call my kids accepted.I got a recorded message saying it was for the reverse charge call advertised on the box(forget name).
Phone bill just arrived.I was charged £7.07 for 4mins 20 secs of some idiot blowing down the phone.Wish the kids had hung up quicker.

tagz

We keep getting calls from 0845 055 4454. As soon as we answer it cuts off. Is there any way I can find out which company is calling without actually ringing them. I hate the idea of paying to find out who they are!

bobbywomble

who cares who they are the important thing is that you want it to stop
but you can phone the operator and find out or a reverse business directory
available on line
what you can do is sign up to bt privacy i did and dont get any more annoying calls when im in the bath
also call the ombondsmun and put in a complaint if they get enough they might just get off there backside and do something

also The cheapest way to call 0870 numbers weekday
> daytimes is from a BT phonebox, 30p for 15mins of
> call, and for longer calls an extra 10p buys a further 7½mins.
its a lot less than from your home phone

pattycake

I have BT privacy, caller display and an ex-directory number. Up until recently I had no problems but lately have started getting stupid calls again.

I can tell before I answer the phone that it is "number with held" but sadly the same symbol shows for overseas calls which the system cannot recognise. I have a lot of calls from abroad so I naturally think a member of my family is calling.

Most annoying.

tentickles666

we have caller display, thing is when you see its witheld it makes you curious to answer it lol also it scares me a bit if im in the house on my own as i think what if it isnt a sales person and something like a stalker like in an above post.