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.

[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.

[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.

[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.