Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

We still currently have a VM fixed phone line, it was an ex directory number for many years as my main phone line was used for my business.

Since retiring over seven years ago the business line was disconnected but the other line is still in use. I have very rarely given this number out, like most people we just our mobiles for 99% of our calls.

Over the years we got the odd cold call on this number but we leave the answerphone set permanently.

In the past week the number of cold calls has increased significantly. No message is ever left and checking on Who Called Me reveals a mix of land lines, mobiles and even one that is ‘apparently’ local. This morning alone we have had three calls within the past couple of hours, all from different numbers.

I am hoping that the next time I have to go through the ‘retentions circus’ I can get rid of this line permanently.

I just wondered if anyone else has seen a sudden increase in these nuisance calls?

Jim.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

Try https://www.tpsonline.org.uk/

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

Registered with TPS many years ago, helped a little but not perfect.;)

Sometimes I dont think it helps signing up with these things..... Its like the 'DO NOT CALL' list..... Ya usually get more calls! (They just sell your # to someone so others can then call you)

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

You're not on your own, over half of landline calls are now made by scammers.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/co...e-by-scammers/

I get round it by never giving the number out. Unfortunately the mother-in-law has it , and that's a worse call to get than any scammer :(

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

I get periods of heavy amounts of calls on my mobile like this every so often. Thankfully my Samsung mobile let's me know if they are spam or suspected spam.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

Yep, I have that turned on as well, very handy.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

I use the Hiya app on my Samsung S24 mobile, works really well.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

A tip if you get calls about the accident you've been involved in, try not to laugh.


1. Do you mean the one I died in?


2. Do you mean the one with the elephant and industrial lubricant

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

:D

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

My mobile - a number I’ve had for 20 years - is getting tons right now. Almost daily. Up from maybe one every couple of months.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

Even though I have re registered the number with TPS it has made no difference.

A few even ‘apparently’ have a local dialling code. Some of these have even left messages asking me to contact them to follow up a request for their services that I have allegedly made on Facebook. :mad:

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

I have noticed a sharp increase in these, presumably, spoofed numbers but as far as I know TPS can do nothing as they usually come from abroad or are being generated by spammers using auto-diallers.

To vet these unknown numbers I direct them, plus any unknown mobile numbers, to our answer phone as my husband and I are often contacted by our medical teams who seem to use various phones to ring us and we can't risk missing a call.

I do wonder if just by letting these calls, most of which are spammers, go to our answer machine is showing that the number they dial is active leading to even more spam calls.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

People really need to be more protective of their own personal data. Always opt out of marketing and don't give out your number to one and all. If anybody (or any webform) insists give them '01234567890'.

Re: Sudden rash of cold calling?
 

This number has never been given out to anyone. It was my old ex directory number when I had my own business. I am going to get rid of it altogether when I have to endure the next round of retentions palaver.