Blocking nuisance calls

[Martin4x4]

I'm receiving numerous unsolicited nuisance calls every day. (21 yesterday and 12 already today) the vast majority of these are immediate hang ups and a small number somebody actually speaks, these are usually an Indian call centre with odd American accent. What ever they offer it is always some scam, computer virus, free heating insulation/solar panels, penny share boiler rooms, etc.

I'm registered with TPS and have been for years, this only blocks legitimate companies, not the scams and crooks.

I also pay my telco for a service to block withheld numbers. However my Telco (KC) says they cannot block "number unobtainable" which are different from "number withheld" and cannot explain why.

I've previously written to my MP who forward my complain to some regulator that sent a reply that was essentially the brush off with the same old ineffective advice. Nobody seems prepared to explain why number unavailable number cannot be automatically blocked by telephone network. This should be one line of computer code. Everybody I talk to suffers this problem to some degree.

I'm aware of services like truecall but really object to paying out for something of questionable effectiveness to stop something that shouldn't be happing in the first place. I'll probably have to get one anyway, but wonder what others think. Anybody else have the same problem? What solutions do you use? Are there any alternatives?

Edited by Martin4x4 on Sunday 25th January 15:39

[Wacky Racer]

Martin4x4 said:

I'm registered with TPS and have been for years.
I pay for my telco for a service to block withheld numbers.
However I still receiving numerous unsolicited nuisance calls.
(21 yesterday and 12 already today) the vast majority of these are immediate hang ups and a small number where somebody actually speaks, it is a Indian call centre.

My Telco says they cannot block "number unobtainable" which are different from "number withheld"

I've previously written to my MP who forward my complain to some regulator that essentially gave me the brush off with the same old ineffective advice. Nobody seems prepared to explain why number unavailable number cannot be automatically blocked by telephone network.

I'm aware of services like truecall but really object to paying out for something of questionable effectiveness to stop something that shouldn't be happing in the first place. I probably have to get one anyway, but wonder what others think. Anybody else have the same problem? What solutions do you use?

I have this problem too, although I think the tps are powerless to do anything about overseas calls though.

I just don't pick the phone up,... then do 1471. If it's someone I recognise I'll ring 'em back.

Ridiculous state of affairs....

[Nimby]

Martin4x4 said:

I'm aware of services like truecall but really object to paying out for something of questionable effectiveness

We've had a Truecall for several years and it's 100% effective. It's very configurable and trouble-free.

[Martin4x4]

Nimby said:

Martin4x4 said:

I'm aware of services like truecall but really object to paying out for something of questionable effectiveness

We've had a Truecall for several years and it's 100% effective. It's very configurable and trouble-free.

Does it work with "Number unobtainable" calls?

That seems to be the telco industries dirty little secret that they won't talk about.

[grumpyscot]

If you want anything associated with the government to take place, forget it and get on with your life. Speculate and buy a Trucall - I did and have never regretted it. I can go onto the internet and see that it blocks anything from 3 to 15 calls a day - but still gives the option for personal calls to get through - providing people listen carefully and follow what is said to them. The phone only rings when it's a genuine call - peace at last - and well worth the money.

[grumpyscot]

Martin4x4 said:

Does it work with "Number unobtainable" calls?

That seems to be the telco industries dirty little secret that they won't talk about.

Yes it does - it blocks International, number withheld, etc. - you can personalise the settings to exclude even your ex's mobile if you want!

[Martin4x4]

grumpyscot said:

Martin4x4 said:

Does it work with "Number unobtainable" calls?

That seems to be the telco industries dirty little secret that they won't talk about.

Yes it does - it blocks International, number withheld, etc. - you can personalise the settings to exclude even your ex's mobile if you want!

That's good, you've turn what was going to be reluctant grasp at straw purchase around to something positive.

[sgrimshaw]

I tried the Trucall device and it didn't work on my line, the calls came through even if the caller stayed silent.

I bought the BT8500 phones, which have Trucall technology built in, but require the caller to say who they are AND press a button.

This works great, and is cheaper than the Trucall device.

Triple pack of phones is £99.99 or less

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...

[megaphone]

Why not get a caller ID function and just ignore unidentifiable calls? That's what I do on my mobile and landline.

[All that jazz]

Having experienced this so called TPS at a previously property I am about 95% sure that it's a scam or the people that run it are in cahoots with the marketing companies as my incoming call rate of bullst multiplied by about 5x from the end of the week I signed up for it. I know that people will start posting pictures of tinfoil hats and the usual crap that goes with such conspiracy theories but that level of increase is not a coincidence imho.

On a similar theme, signing up to the MPS seems to have similar results and it's become so bad here that I can't physically open the door after 2 days without it getting jammed on junk mail unless I clear it first.

[Nimby]

sgrimshaw said:

I tried the Trucall device and it didn't work on my line, the calls came through even if the caller stayed silent.

Sounds like you didn't configure it correctly. There are a lot of options but the web-based configurator explains them pretty well, and then you have to sync the device with the website.

[Back to the top]

Cpr call blocker available for £24 from Amazon - fab little box , not quite as comprehensive as a true call but worth every penny .

[colin79666]

sgrimshaw said:

I tried the Trucall device and it didn't work on my line, the calls came through even if the caller stayed silent.

I bought the BT8500 phones, which have Trucall technology built in, but require the caller to say who they are AND press a button.

This works great, and is cheaper than the Trucall device.

Triple pack of phones is £99.99 or less

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...

I have these, absolutely brilliant. Zero nuisance calls through in the 5 months since we got them, was getting 4-6 a day before. You can outright block whole categories of caller (international, withheld etc.) but we just use the announce unless whitelisted mode which means any genuine caller can make it through. I'm a bit wary of devices blocking withheld/undefined numbers in case its the hospital calling about a relative.

The cheapest place to get these is usually the BT Shop - £59.98 for the twin pack, £79.99 for trio.
http://www.shop.bt.com/products/bt8500-advanced-ca...

[DSLiverpool]

I sell all 3, the CPR allows the calls as you then press a button to block. Them next time, the BT8500 is "ok" but doesn't do a proper job like a TRUECALL does - TRUECALL has no real completion the others are cheap for a reason.

Note your friends who always withhold their number but you want to doeskin to them can have a code to enter so you can speak to them whilst blocking other withheld numbers.

[sgrimshaw]

Nimby said:

Sounds like you didn't configure it correctly. There are a lot of options but the web-based configurator explains them pretty well, and then you have to sync the device with the website.

I certainly did, and spent time with their tech support who couldn't get it to work either.

In the end they offered a full refund.

[anonymous-user]

sgrimshaw said:

I tried the Trucall device and it didn't work on my line, the calls came through even if the caller stayed silent.

I bought the BT8500 phones, which have Trucall technology built in, but require the caller to say who they are AND press a button.

This works great, and is cheaper than the Trucall device.

Triple pack of phones is £99.99 or less

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...

These work a treat & are down to £39.99 at the moment. for the single handset with answerphone. Had mine a few days. I almost look forward to sales calls so I can zap them!

[DSLiverpool]

ash73 said:

I use BT's choose to refuse, just type a code after you receive a nuisance call and it blocks them. Small subscription fee, well worth it.

So you get nuisance calls and pay a fee.

[anonymous-user]

ash73 said:

Choose to refuse is £4/month with no setup cost, and combined with TPS does the job perfectly. Truecall is £100 for the box plus £25/year for online access. No thanks.

BT phone with built in truecall is 39.99... TPS doesn't work

[fido]

Many years ago I got harassed by a marketing company who refused to leave me alone until I paid for their services. And it seems like I'm not the only person who caved in and paid up. It bugs me to this day but I'm wondering what you should do if this should happen again - mobile not BT. Of course it wouldn't be such a nuisance today as you can use the Web for most things.

[DSLiverpool]

Jimboka said:

ash73 said:

Choose to refuse is £4/month with no setup cost, and combined with TPS does the job perfectly. Truecall is £100 for the box plus £25/year for online access. No thanks.

BT phone with built in truecall is 39.99... TPS doesn't work

Cheaper in some places ;o)