Just had yet another call from one of those pre-recorded phone message companies. I've now registered with the Telephone Preference service in an attempt to stop them, but in the meantime it's really annoying. The worse aspect of these spam phone calls is that you can't hang them up. I put down the phone and went to do 1471 and she (the recorded voice) was still there! Repeated hang ups didn't seem to shake her loose...! Madness... :o

You can register to stop commercial calls here (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tpsr/html/register.asp)

Heard about another phone scam yesterday on the radio. They ring your mobile once then hang up.
When you look through your call register when you see missed call you may be tempted to ring back as you don't recognise the number. If you don't realise it's a premium rate line you will get through to someone who will tell you you have won a prize and keep you hanging on the line. All the time you are paying top rates for the call. Beware!

Or you're sent a text saying, "Hi it's Katie who you used to know back at school. How're you doing? Give me a ring"
Or a variation thereof.

Originally posted by SilentStatic
Or you're sent a text saying, "Hi it's Katie who you used to know back at school. How're you doing? Give me a ring"
Or a variation thereof.

But I went to a boys school. That would confuse me!

she used to be called Dave.

*cough* lawbreakers *cough*

As of just before Christmas it was made illegal to spam was it not?

Originally posted by Rich
*cough* lawbreakers *cough*

As of just before Christmas it was made illegal to spam was it not?

I thought that it was illegal to make unsolicited calls to mobiles and landline phones, this has seemed to stopped on my mobile, but still getting them on the landline phone. Im looking at getting unidentified numbers or callers with numbers witheld blocked from calling my landline.

Originally posted by mega_monty
I thought that it was illegal to make unsolicited calls to mobiles and landline phones, this has seemed to stopped on my mobile, but still getting them on the landline phone. Im looking at getting unidentified numbers or callers with numbers witheld blocked from calling my landline.

Good way to stop them on your landline, go ex-directory.... stops double glazing salespeople hassling you as well.

Originally posted by mega_monty
Im looking at getting unidentified numbers or callers with numbers witheld blocked from calling my landline.

Not generally a good idea, for when a company genuinely wants to call you!

Originally posted by Grim
Not generally a good idea, for when a company genuinely wants to call you!

Very true, I dont want to give everyone the DDI to me thus it's withheld, sometimes have trouble calling one or two clients.:)

Originally posted by Rich
Good way to stop them on your landline, go ex-directory.... stops double glazing salespeople hassling you as well.

As Geoff said use the Telephone Pref Service (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tpsr/html/default.asp) , it's a much better way of doing this, if they do call after you have signed up to TPS, fill in this form here (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tpsr/html/ComplaintForm.asp) :)

Originally posted by Bookey
Very true, I dont want to give everyone the DDI to me thus it's withheld, sometimes have trouble calling one or two clients.:)

So what about those clients - don't they have the right to know who is calling. After all, you have their DDI, and you are the one interupting them!!!

I make it a total policy now only to answer if I know who is calling, and I tell people this. Most people use their mobiles to call me now rather than using withheld exchange lines.

Originally posted by Tony
I make it a total policy now only to answer if I know who is calling, and I tell people this. Most people use their mobiles to call me now rather than using withheld exchange lines.

Do you expect them to put their full name and address on the outside of envelopes when they send you a letter too?

What about people who have no choice - e.g. they work for a council, bank or other large organisation where the policy is decided elsewhere?

How many new potential clients do you miss?


To make this easier, I think legislation should be passed that any marketing calls should make 'Marketing Call' or 'Unsolicited Call' appear on screen, rather than 'Private Number' or 'Withheld' - this would make it easier to determine that even if it appears 'Withheld', it is a genuine call for you.

Originally posted by Tony
So what about those clients - don't they have the right to know who is calling. After all, you have their DDI, and you are the one interupting them!!!

I make it a total policy now only to answer if I know who is calling, and I tell people this. Most people use their mobiles to call me now rather than using withheld exchange lines.

Tony, 95% of the people I call will have already spoke to me either via email or will have been transfered to myself from else where within the business.

Also only people I speak to are business and how many of them reject anon calls? (hint - not many) :D :thumbsup:

Originally posted by ncrossland
To make this easier, I think legislation should be passed that any marketing calls should make 'Marketing Call' or 'Unsolicited Call' appear on screen, rather than 'Private Number' or 'Withheld' - this would make it easier to determine that even if it appears 'Withheld', it is a genuine call for you.

Now that is a very good idea!! :thumbsup:
Anyone fancy telling Ofcom / Oftel ?!?

Originally posted by Grim
Not generally a good idea, for when a company genuinely wants to call you!

Originally posted by Bookey
Very true, I dont want to give everyone the DDI to me thus it's withheld, sometimes have trouble calling one or two clients

If a company or friend relative genuinely wants to call me, why should they withold thier number ? using number witheld to me is usually a sign of something to hide i.e. nuisance callers.

Its like you dont normally open your front door to unwelcome visitors so why do it with the telephone.

Number withheld = No call answered in my opinion.

Originally posted by Ncrossland Do you expect them to put their full name and address on the outside of envelopes when they send you a letter too?

Post is easy to sort if its junk mail or Genuine letter contact.

Originally posted by Bookey
Tony, 95% of the people I call will have already spoke to me either via email or will have been transfered to myself from else where within the business.

Also only people I speak to are business and how many of them reject anon calls? (hint - not many) :D :thumbsup:

Fair point on internal calls, but I still like to decide who I speak to and when, whether they are internal or not.

Originally posted by ncrossland
Do you expect them to put their full name and address on the outside of envelopes when they send you a letter too?

What about people who have no choice - e.g. they work for a council, bank or other large organisation where the policy is decided elsewhere?
You're missing the point. I make it MY choice to speak to people if it is convenient for me. Otherwise, they can text, email, write, leave a message, PM, etc, etc.

When someone calls - I am ALWAYS doing something else, so I decide the priority. I don't see how that differs, whatever the organisation, unless your job is to
a) sit waiting for instructions
b) finish the task
C) raise a flag waiting for another instruction.

....I can't think of any jobs like that.
How many new potential clients do you miss?
None. It's about responsible prioritising, not jumping to attention like Pavlovs dogs when the bell rings.
To make this easier, I think legislation should be passed that any marketing calls should make 'Marketing Call' or 'Unsolicited Call' appear on screen, rather than 'Private Number' or 'Withheld' - this would make it easier to determine that even if it appears 'Withheld', it is a genuine call for you.
Agreed. Until that day comes I shall continue to ignore and reject witheld numbers. In the meantime, everyone should get used to showing their numbers (except in special circumstances) - it's much easier.

Originally posted by Tony
Fair point on internal calls, but I still like to decide who I speak to and when, whether they are internal or not.

People internal to the business know my extention, but the DDI is not to be given out without my express permission.

But each to there own. :)

Originally posted by Tony


Agreed. Until that day comes I shall continue to ignore and reject witheld numbers. In the meantime, everyone should get used to showing their numbers (except in special circumstances) - it's much easier.

Please define Special Circumstances

Originally posted by Bookey
Please define Special Circumstances
Ok, frexample (ooo.. good new word, I'll remember that one) ... I had the discussion with one of my solicitors, because they withhold numbers and it drives me mad.

Their reason - if they showed the number they often wouldnt get the other side (say in divorce cases) to pick up. So... now they call me from their mobile or expect to leave a message, like I said originally. QED, problem solved.

Originally posted by Tony
Until that day comes I shall continue to ignore and reject witheld numbers. In the meantime, everyone should get used to showing their numbers (except in special circumstances) - it's much easier.

How did we all manage before CLID? (which was only 10 years ago!)

:D

Originally posted by Bookey
People internal to the business know my extention, but the DDI is not to be given out without my express permission.

But each to there own. :)

So why are you strongly against giving out your DDI ? (revealing your identity to callers)

Most NHS Hospital numbers are also witheld, and there are lots of occurances where Hospital staff need to call patients / relatives etc but cannot get through because they dont accept witheld numbers.

I think that the bare facts are that an increasing number of people wont habitually answer witheld numbers anymore. I agree that there is rarely a reason to withhold, unless you are trying to catch someone out.

In fact, now I think about it, it's actually a bit of a factor in deciding whether I want to be someones client!!! Now there's a thought for a few of you.

Originally posted by mega_monty
So why are you strongly against giving out your DDI ? (revealing your identity to callers)

People have an habit of using it as a back door to other departments as my DDI routes to my landline or mobile i can trans calls internal from both.

Perhaps a solution would be to have an answer machine screen calls you don't have an ID for... then you can decide whether to pick up the call.

The recorded salesmachine sounds like a great idea - if it means doing away with salespeople, what a waste of humanity :D

People like to buy - not to be sold :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Tony

In fact, now I think about it, it's actually a bit of a factor in deciding whether I want to be someones client!!! Now there's a thought for a few of you.

:P :D :rolleyes:
Nice comment, I sould hope its the services and the solution that the business provides to yourself is the deciding factor not the company policy on anon numbers!:D :D

That's all part of the equation, and if I can't communicate effectively with someone, I won't use them for long.