HELP! Nuisance telephone calls

[UKDEB]

I've received about a hundred nuisance calls this week. When I pick up, there's no-one there. I here a blip of music and then the line goes dead. If I leave the answerphone to pick up, it goes dead for a couple of seconds and then a voice says "Thank you for calling". I know they're all from the same place because, unusally, the number is not withheld, but when I try phoning it, it's constantly engaged.

I imagine it's one of these systems which dials hundreds of numbers. I am registered for TPS, but if I don't know who's calling, what can I do about it?

It's driving me absolutely bananas. I often work from home so I can't even get away from it during the day. I was out all day yesterday, but had about 6 yesterday evening and I've had 9 so far today.

 

[Hilary]

It sounds awful, Deb

In our phone book, there is a freephone number for help with nuisance calls, but I'm not sure whether this is more geared up to the malicious/obscene variety.

The number is 0800 661 441 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week)

Even if they can't help, they may have a suggestion for what to try next.

Good luck

 

[RUSHBURY]

Hi

A few years ago this happened to someone I knew and all their calls were diverted to the operator and only those on the 'official list' were then put through - a bit like screening the calls - this was free of charge for a period of time - luckily the problem was resolved very quickly once the operator service was introduced. It might be worth finding out if this service is still available. 100 calls what a nightmare for you.

Good Luck

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I don't know how to deal with it Deb - but just wanted to say how awful and annoying this must be for you. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Sam x

 

[calvinjtodd]

Hi

This problem drove me crazy, untill I registered with the Silent Callgard Service 08704443969. I even started to get them on my mobile but registered that and they stopped. Give it a try it's free apart from the call charge that is! also you could have a look at the TPS web site TPSONLINE.ORG.UK

Good luck

Calvin & Anne

 

[Claire L]

Deb,
If there is any chance these calls are malicious then contact the Police and get a nuisance telephone form filled out and they will trace where they are coming from, as you say some are with held, and then take the necessary action if any is needed.
Claire :wink

 

[Ellay]

I used to get a load of similar calls - I rang a number in my local BT directory and had all call centre calls banned - it took about two weeks to become effective, but no calls since.

The lady at BT said that call centres have loads of calls on automatic dial even though there are not enough operators to deal with them.

 

[BONZO]

Deb,

Are these calls on a BT line or other operator?

 

[Muppet]

I know what you are going throughand its so annoying.

I hope it can be sorted.

Do you have the number or is it withheld?

 

[shellbell]

We too get these calls at the same time everyday, they are really annoying. When we 1471 it the number has been withheld

 

[BONZO]

Just to follow up on Hilary's info: -


Nuisance Calls Bureaux

BT voluntarily operates a national network of Nuisance Calls Bureaux to help and support customers receiving nuisance calls.

Initial enquiries are answered by specially trained advisors who offer simple advice and solutions. The Centre is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The more complex cases, which may require police investigation or call tracing, are passed on to Nuisance Call Bureaux Specialists. These specialists are trained in police liaison and may appear in court as prosecution witnesses if necessary.

The Nuisance Call team can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0800 661 441

 

[BONZO]

A malicious call is a call that is indecent, offensive or threatening. Malicious calls may also form part of a campaign of harassment designed to cause fear and distress, or involve more serious offences such as blackmail, threats to kill or threats to damage property. If you receive several such calls in a short space of time, and/or if any of the other factors mentioned above are involved, the police should be notified. See below for more advice, and for details on the law regarding malicious calls.

Nuisance calls are calls that are not indecent, threatening or offensive, but which cause annoyance or anxiety: silent calls or calls at unsociable hours are two examples. Service providers should usually be the first contact in such circumstances, and such calls can often be resolved without police intervention. However, if this avenue has been tried and the calls persist, if the calls could be associated with other criminal activity, or if they cause particular distress to the victim, the police may consider investigating them as potential harassment.

 

[uksaint]

I have had two or three calls a week for the last few weeks - always a london 0208******* number, always between 7.00pm and 9.00pm. As soon as I answer it goes dead - if I try calling the number, it is engaged.

Not frequent enough to be considered a real nuisance, but annoying all the same.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I hate calls like this and especially when they are PRIVATE it's as if someone is hiding something for a reason, we have caller I.D now, its fantastic, we only answer the phone with numbers if they are Private/witheld it goes to answer phone if its important they can leave a message.

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

We have had exactly the same problem before and it turned out to be a company trying to send automatic messages to another computer (to another company or bank or their own company on another site etc).

It wasn't a human doing it, it was a computer system and not deliberately malicious at all. Someone had typed in the wrong 'phone number into the computer system which happened to be mine and very similar to the one they meant to type. Very annoying but sorted out in the end.

Bye the way, the calls I was getting were in the evening. The company had finished work for the day and daily figures were then needed to be sent elsewhere. If you are getting all these calls after office hours, it is quite possible this is the scenario.

Zoe.