Telephone tormentors.

[westendlass]

I too have a very basic mobile, for family and friends only but these annoying calls keep coming through. I usually just turn off the phone if I don't recognise the caller (yesterday I just answered without thinking). I've googled some of the numbers and found one of the worse turns out to be British Gas. If I want to change suppliers I wouldn't wait for someone from a call centre to try to persuade me. I wish they'd all sod off, its just harassment that should be made illegal.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by cashman

Thing is these calls are normally "No Number" if thats the case,i never answer just press off, very few apart from people i want have me number, so if no number rings just dont answer, that reduces this junk imho.

If you do answer by mistake, speak to them in Lancashire

[Less]

Got a smart 'phone never bothered by these callers at all. Got rid of my landline years ago, that was something I couldn't protect from these companies, the only problem I used to have was filling in forms, they always insisted on a landline number, so I would put my old disconnected number in that slot and only add my mobile number IF I thought it would be of use to me to have them ring me.

If you take care with who gets your number or email address that solves at least half the problems caused.

[gpick24]

iPhone has a very handy "do not disturb" feature which gives you control over who can call you.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5463
Android probably have something similar.

[Studio25]

Originally Posted by Accyexplorer

I hear these work well:
CPR 1200 Number Capacity Nuisance Call Blocker - Grey:Amazon.co.uk:Electronics

A friend use to get these type of calls at all hours of the day, now she rarely gets any. The odd one still sneaks through though.

Devices like this rely on the scammer/marketer withholding their phone number. This means that the ones that show a number - and it's not necessarily a real one - will get through. Also, legitimate organisations with badly configured internal exchanges will be "caught" by this device. For example, I know the hospital comes through as "Number unavailable".

Originally Posted by Neil

...Some smaller basic Android phones even have batteries that last a couple of days....

My Galaxy S4 lasts three days. I only use it for calls and texts, emails, photos and a bit of internet browsing. I've got wifi turned off unless I do a dropbox upload and don't do facebook or twitter. Biggest battery drain on most phones is the screen.

Originally Posted by Less

...the only problem I used to have was filling in forms, they always insisted on a landline number, so I would put my old disconnected number in that slot...

I wish I'd thought of that!

[accyman]

Originally Posted by gpick24

iPhone has a very handy "do not disturb" feature which gives you control over who can call you.
iOS: Using Do Not Disturb
Android probably have something similar.

with android you can block any number that isnt witheld as long as you dedicate it a name in your contacts list so for example i have a contact named winkers for forum purpuses that has so far about 60 phone numbers associated to it.

teh problem is although it stops that number calling you still get called in teh first place and theres a lot of these places

i never used to get cold callers to my mobile number and iv had the number for over 12 years it was only when i switched to o2 contract that i started getting these calls and although i have since left o2 the dammage has been done and my number is out there. I could change my number but i have so many reasons such as hospital specialists , doctors , family , friends , associates etc that changing my number would prove to be even more of a ball ache..

oh and it took me 10 years to learn my number i aint learning another lol

it really is about time something was done about cold callers if i was to ring a woman with the same amount of calls i woudl be up for harrassment and stalking.

[keith higson]

Here in Oz we have a register for unsolicited calls, but nobody takes any notice of themo why have it.

I deal with them in the following manner " Question from the caller - how are you" I thank them for their concern and then tell them all about my illnesses (which can take up to 20 minutes, during which times they try to get my attention, but with perseverance I don't allow them to interrupt me, they soon get fed up and end the call.

Ive been told that "Blowing Whistle" can come in handy

[US Angel]

No number -- No answer. LOL

[accyman]

if i recall correctly the automated dialers that generate numbers the send you a pre recorded phonecall are illigal in america

them ones that start llyods , tsb, barclays could land the owner of that machine in prison in america for example but here folk can harrass you all day long as long as they claim to be providing a service and not trying to sell you something

[accyman]

Originally Posted by US Angel

No number -- No answer. LOL

british gas and a few other companies have got smart and now seem to be able to redirect through what appears to be a local number so it comes up as 01254******

i answer local numbers i dont know becaus eit could be one of my kids ringing from a pay phone or a friends house and something could be wrong

what i dont expect is some sod trying to sell me a new boiler

companies are getting away with way too much invasion on peoples lives