Bloody Telesales Calls

[xxplod]

When we moved in to our new house we got a landline phone, as you do. I get loads of calls for who I'm presuming was the previous "owner" of our number. They are always from these cretinous call centres. You can tell because of the delay before the cretin speaks. Sometimes I get no response, presumably becuase somebody else picks up first.

Anyway, I've recently taken to saying I'm not Mr. XXXX but just wait and I'll get him for you. I then place the handset down and leave it. I wonder how long they wait before they hang up?

Anyone got any other ideas on how to annoy them, or even better how to stop the b@stards phoning in the first place?

[Tank Slapper]

Telephone preference service is your friend. Register on their website and you shouldn't receive any more calls.

If you do, tell them you are registered and they will hang up sharpish, as they can be fined for disobeying.

[Plotloss]

In the short term, get an answerphone.

Predictive diallers recognise the beep and drop the call.

You look like you are screening your calls (which I suppose you are) but its a small inconvenience until TPS kicks in.

If its a UK voice at the other end of the phone start telling them from this moment forth that you are registered on the TPS and you watch how quickly they cut you off.

£50K fine per call to a TPS customer and there is no upper limit...

[up-the-dubs]

Tank Slapper said:

Telephone preference service is your friend. Register on their website and you shouldn't receive any more calls. If you do, tell them you are registered and they will hang up sharpish, as they can be fined for disobeying.

Errr... how secure are they though:

TPS website said:

Be wary of people calling you claiming to be from the Telephone (Mailing) Preference Service asking for payment to complete your registration. TPS is a FREE service.

Where do these people get your number from other than TPS? Who else can gain access?

[Plotloss]

Outbound call centres subscribe to the TPS and recieve monthly updates.

Nothing stopping them forwarding that file to an unscrupulous offshore call centre which is outside the remit of the TPS...

[Tank Slapper]

Speculative dialling probably. As TPS is now popular, the chances of finding someone who is registered are higher.

Scammer calls up someone who isn't registered - "Oh sorry sir, we appear to have the wrong number".

[BliarOut]

TPS works a treat. If you want the next level, search on www.bt.com for Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR)

That blocks anonymous calls, which will get rid of offshore automated diaallers as well. Costs £12 per quarter.

Personally I have found the TPS does what it says on the tin

[xxplod]

As ever PHers, a font of information. Thank you!

[medicineman]

Another vote for TPS, add the mail version and the junk mail dries up as well.

[grass widow]

I got BT privacy as advertised by Jeremy Clarkson, it kicked in a month after registration, haven't had any telesales calls since.......now their starting on my mobile.

[doddze]

my wife says she is the nanny or the cleaner ..... they soon hang up!!

Suppose she is in a round about way.... good one though!!

[BliarOut]

grass widow said:

I got BT privacy as advertised by Jeremy Clarkson, it kicked in a month after registration, haven't had any telesales calls since.......now their starting on my mobile.

You can register mobiles with TPS too

[Scoobz]

Mobiles with TPS? I have suddenly become inundated with shite from splash mobile. I daren't text them back to stop texting me as it'd probably cost me £8.

[grass widow]

BliarOut said:

You can register mobiles with TPS too

Another job for tomorrow thanx

Couldn't wait have done it online, but it says it doesn't stop text messages, only calls.

>> Edited by grass widow on Tuesday 11th October 21:21

[wiggy001]

Agree with all of the above re: TPS. Just bare in mind that companies only have to update their records from the TPS (or MPS/FPS) listing once every 6 months, so it could be April before the calls dry up totally.

It also only applies to calls from the within the UK.

[grass widow]

wiggy001 said:

It also only applies to calls from the within the UK.

I had caller display and alot of the calls were international, couldn't ignore them cos my husband works abroad and calls on a sat phone. But they have all stopped since registering.

[speedyman]

Great wind up is to let the caller go into the sales pitch you ask lots of questions and at the end when they want you to sign up tell them your only twelve years old, I've done it a couple of times now, their reactions are great, completely gobsmacked.


speedyman

[mybrainhurts]

(1) Pick up handset

(2) Listen to caller

(3) Say nothing

(4) Wait.....

(5) Wait.........

(6) Wait................

















(7) LOOK OUT.........!

(8) Replace handset

[deevlash]

if they call just leave the phone sitting or wind them up so they hang up, then dont hang up yourself as it keeps their phone tied up and they cant phone out again till you hang up

[GKP]

When we moved into our house (it was a new build with a brand new, never before issued phone number) about two and a half years ago, we started gettng calls from some old dear asking for either Celia or Peter. You'd say no, sorry, you've got the wrong number and hang up. She'd call back in a couple of minutes, same routine.
This'd go on for about 3 or 4 times before she would give up.

The other weekend this started again.
"Hello?" I said.
"Oh, who's that? Is it Peter?"
"No it's not, you've got the wrong number"
"Is Peter not there, then?"
"No, you've got the wrong number. Goodbye"

A minute later, she rings back.
"Hello?" I said wearily, knowing it was her.
"Oh, hello Peter."
"This isn't Peter. Peter doesn't live here. You've been calling this number asking for Peter for two and a half years and he's never here. It's the wrong number. Why don't you write to Peter and get him to send you his correct phone number?" Click.

I've not heard from her since.