Is the end is in sight for scam calls?

[langtounlad]

I've just switched on CallSafe, a new service which is provided free with my TalkTalk account.
I already used their call barring service but this seems to be a big step up in functionality.
Every time you get a call, CallSafe checks to make sure it's someone you want to hear from. The caller is then either:

Approved and put straight through to you.
Blocked so that your phone doesn't ring.
Screened to confirm who they are.
Numbers that you've dialled more than once in the last 35 days are put on your Approved List when you switch CallSafe on, and any numbers you've barred using Last Caller Barring are put on your Blocked List.

Screened callers are asked to record their name and CallSafe plays it back to you. You then choose how you want to handle the call. Usually, unwanted callers hang up at this stage because they don't want to leave their details.

I suspect that the other providers have/will be introducing similar systems and therefore the glory days for Accident Management, PPI, Double Glazing, There's a problem with your PC calls will soon be over. Which has got to be a good thing surely, apart from those PHer's that enjoy winding them up.
Sorry no rant or expletives.

[siovey]

Yes it's a handy service and we do seem to be getting less and less cold calls. To be fair, when they did get through prior, just telling them that you're on the telephone preference list meant they just put the phone straight down on you anyway! Lol

[wc98]

i think i prefer winding them up and taking the piss.

[B'stard Child]

wc98 said:

i think i prefer winding them up and taking the piss.

Hello - you want to speak to who? Are you a relative

[EliseNick]

I have an app called Mr Number on my mobile that does a good job of filtering, identifying and rejecting calls. They have some database of spam numbers. Not perfect but very helpful.

[S100HP]

EliseNick said:

I have an app called Mr Number on my mobile that does a good job of filtering, identifying and rejecting calls. They have some database of spam numbers. Not perfect but very helpful.

My Google Pixel seems to do this too. Very appreciated.

[langtounlad]

siovey said:

Yes it's a handy service and we do seem to be getting less and less cold calls. To be fair, when they did get through prior, just telling them that you're on the telephone preference list meant they just put the phone straight down on you anyway! Lol

We're on the TPS also but that doesn't stop all the calls, especially from overseas.

[Pesty]

wc98 said:

i think i prefer winding them up and taking the piss.

That’s not the issue to most people. It’s only something I recently realised was a huge problem.
Not ever having any experience with people specifically old people with degenerative mental issues.

Last year I was looking after my father so spent lots of time around his house the amount of calls he got was ridiculous.

We managed to stop him spunking 4k to some’ solicitor ‘ who could guarantee I wouldn’t have to pay inheritance tax on his will ( hmm a timely call) before we knew he was ill he did get a boiler fitted that he didn’t need from a company a couple hundred miles away who botched it an scarpered that toook months to sort,

The problem was he would just say yes to anything. If you knocked on the door and said I fixed you drive give me 2k he’d have just said ok.

He was doing the same on the phone, he just became compliant to everything. I registered with that TPS thing but it didn’t really do much.

What was worrying was the targeted calls somebody somewhere was passing on information he wasn’t online so it didn’t come from him.

Edited by Pesty on Saturday 20th January 10:41

[IroningMan]

Overseas call centres seem to ignore TPS - I’ve even had them tell me that it doesn’t exist or doesn’t apply to them.

Very bored with people trying to sell me a ‘free’ new boiler from the government.

[langtounlad]

Pesty said:

wc98 said:

i think i prefer winding them up and taking the piss.

That’s not the issue to most people. It’s only something I recently realised was a huge problem.
Not ever having any experience with people specifically old people with degenerative mental issues.

Last year I was looking after my father so spent lots of time around his house the amount of calls he got was ridiculous.

We managed to stop him spunking 4k to some’ solicitor ‘ who could guarantee I wouldn’t have to pay inheritance tax on his will ( hmm a timely call) before we knew he was ill he did get a boiler fitted that he didn’t need from a company a couple hundred miles away who botched it an scarpered that toook months to sort,

The problem was he would just say yes to anything. If you knocked on the door and said I fixed you drive give me 2k he’d have just said ok.

He was doing the same on the phone, he just became compliant to everything. I registered with that TPS thing but it didn’t really do much.

What was worrying was the targeted calls somebody somewhere was passing on information he wasn’t online so it didn’t come from him.

Edited by Pesty on Saturday 20th January 10:41

We had similar with my MIL. It was almost as if once she had been exploited once, her details were sold on to every dodgy operator and we had a real battle stopping the unsolicited calls and doorsteppers. Very difficult when we all lived some distance away and so were very much in reactive mode in sorting out things that she'd signed up to that she didn't need, already had or couldn't afford.
Anything that helps put an end to this type of selling has got to be applauded in my book.

Shame it has taken so long as there are now so many of these call centre type operators.

[TooMany2cvs]

langtounlad said:

Every time you get a call, CallSafe checks to make sure it's someone you want to hear from. The caller is then either:
...
Screened to confirm who they are.

Screened callers are asked to record their name and CallSafe plays it back to you. You then choose how you want to handle the call. Usually, unwanted callers hang up at this stage because they don't want to leave their details.

Gawd, I hate getting these things when I'm phoning people... Unless I really, really, really need to speak to whoever's on the other end, I'll simply not ring 'em, so they end up not getting wanted calls, either.

[jjlynn27]

IroningMan said:

Very bored with people trying to sell me a ‘free’ new boiler from the government.

You get all the best ones! I wish someone would give me the free new boiler (regardless of the source).

:envious:

[mike9009]

Is this for landlines? (or mobile?)

My landline infrequently rings. The only nuisance calls I get are from TalkTalk! Other than that, only my Dad calls the landline nowadays....

I do get some nuisance calls on my mobile ....mainly health insurance, PPI and 'the accident you had last year' type affair. I just block the number in my mobile phone....


Mike

[jsc15]

TPS doesn't apply to overseas callers, and also not to UK callers if you have given them permission to call or have an existing business relationship with them. TPS isn't the big deal it's made out to be, and gives some people a false sense of security.

Although OFCOM etc make a big noise about working for the consumer, what you generally find is that legitimate UK businesses get lumped in with dodgy foreign outfits and it's only the UK ones that get impacted (e.g. a legit UK call-center can't make "silent calls" using dialler technology for the last 10 years, as they have to play a recorded message if they are using predictive tech).

So, you'll still get improbably named Indians calling you for speculative accident claims. Even if they are call-screened, that doesn't stop them calling you in the first place.

[Deptford Draylons]

wc98 said:

i think i prefer winding them up and taking the piss.

Best way is to sign up on sites where you know they will sell your mobile number and details on. I used to put in fake numbers, but on occasion, I give my number but change the name. The random phone call in your work day of someone in an Indian call center asking for a Mr Throatwobbler Mangrove and the like , does provide a cheap laugh.

[langtounlad]

TooMany2cvs said:

langtounlad said:

Every time you get a call, CallSafe checks to make sure it's someone you want to hear from. The caller is then either:
...
Screened to confirm who they are.

Screened callers are asked to record their name and CallSafe plays it back to you. You then choose how you want to handle the call. Usually, unwanted callers hang up at this stage because they don't want to leave their details.

Gawd, I hate getting these things when I'm phoning people... Unless I really, really, really need to speak to whoever's on the other end, I'll simply not ring 'em, so they end up not getting wanted calls, either.

If you are already on the list of approved callers (you have been called in the last 35 days) then your call goes straight through. Also once you have been whitelisted then your call goes straight through.