Absolutely plagued with recorded sales calls

dizzi · 26-01-2009, 14:28

Recently moved house and got a new Virgin/NTL phone number. It's obviously been around the houses a bit as we're getting tele-sales calls out of the eyeballs.

Registered with the telephone preference service about 5 minutes after I got the phone number and the human at the other end of the phone calls have died down now while we wait for that registration to get through the system.

Thing is we are getting absolutely plagued by automated dialler calls - the same ones endlessly, if you press to go through to a human and demand to be put on their no-call list they say yes (or hang up on you) and then the dialler calls back an hour or so later. I'm coming home from work to find my answerphone is clogged up with these messages, I'm answering the phone 3-4 times a day to them and I'm at my wits end with it.

Unfortunately I'm a supply teacher, so heavily dependent on the phone, and although I have caller ID set up, lots of the times my agency numbers come up as withheld too - so I can't just not take withheld numbers because of work. It also means that I HAVE to jump to it when the phone goes off - and then it's these flipping messages (which ALL seem to have the same woman on the recordings so she must have been busy selling cruises, free phones, windows and debt recovery plans).

I'm really really getting to the end of my tether with it - any advice? Anything Virgin can actually DO before I brave ringing the Indian call centre?

BenMcr · 26-01-2009, 14:34

Only thing Virgin can do is change your number (or put the Anonymous block on that you can't do)

STONEISLAND · 26-01-2009, 14:37

I get loads of them annoying dialler calls to. I'm also TPS, make no difference. It seems that if you use a dialler the law does not apply to you. I understand your frustration

dizzi · 26-01-2009, 14:51

Didn't think Virgin would be able to do anything - was just a desperate shot in the dark... they really really need to put some legislation in about them because while they were annoying a few years ago, they're hitting ridiculous levels now.

26-01-2009, 15:43

Here's an expensive hardware solution if you are REALLY bothered.

http://truecall.co.uk/

Matth · 26-01-2009, 16:26

Cheaper option, field all calls with an answerphone.

PS. My number used to be a Mr. Patton / Patten, and even after a good many years (it was C&W when we joined), there are still spates of calls.

Maybe I should have tried spot of identity theft

Peter_ · 26-01-2009, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Only thing Virgin can do is change your number (or put the Anonymous block on that you can't do)

Anonymous block does not stop all callers and when these people who can get through call, all 1471 says is "You were called today" so that is fallible and you have to pay for the privilege.

Wild Oscar · 01-02-2009, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matth

Cheaper option, field all calls with an answerphone.

This is exactly what I do .. seems to work quite well.

Although for the original poster it may not be ideal if an agency is trying to get through!

Sir John Luke · 01-02-2009, 19:50

IF the number is available via 1471, stick it into Google. The odds are you'll be able to find out who is originating the calls. Complain the them direct, and/or Ofcom. It seems to have worked for me with both BCA (Book Club Associates) and Homeserve to date.

dizzi · 10-02-2009, 15:39

I'm still getting these infernal things and since I've been TPS registered the 28 days now - I'm now starting banging in the complaints with every company. They all withhold their numbers so it requires some googling to find out what the number was everyone was complaining about before they started withholding them though.

I'm turning into a right Victor Meldrew complaining person me!

STONEISLAND · 10-02-2009, 15:43

You have every right to as you are TPC. Drives me mad to, there mostly debt calls. When I press the option button to complain they just hang up!!!!!!!!

**Maggy** · 10-02-2009, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzi

I'm still getting these infernal things and since I've been TPS registered the 28 days now - I'm now starting banging in the complaints with every company. They all withhold their numbers so it requires some googling to find out what the number was everyone was complaining about before they started withholding them though.

I'm turning into a right Victor Meldrew complaining person me!

I'm a supply teacher too..I leave my answer phone on to hopefully field calls from my agency..However I also use my mobile with the agency which might be the best answer for you until you can get on top of the present problem that is..

Raistlin · 10-02-2009, 19:16

My understanding of the TPS was that it can only prevent calls from companies/organisations that subscribe to it.

The really annoying companies, and those interested in the hard sell, are unlikely to sign up to any service that is likely to prevent them calling whoever they like.

Sir John Luke · 10-02-2009, 19:20

I don't think so. AFAIK it is ILLEGAL to cold-call someone registered with the TPS. However, that only applies to companies calling from the UK.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

bopdude · 10-02-2009, 19:35

Does th eold wives tale of putting the phone on the table so the dialer can't hang up thing work

I would love to do that, or if I had time leave them hanging. Years ago I mentioned on here somewher where an ex-workmate, took the cold call, went through the motions of getting someone to the door and then asked them if they had enjoyed the waste of time as much as he had

Seemed to work