New service request. Block non-caller-id calls

[Rakhal]

I'm getting phone spammed. Salespeople, mysterious people that call, then hang up e.t.c. And what all these guys do is block caller-id (presumably so I can't call them back and bitch .
What I think would be a really cool optional service that NTL could supply is the ability to automatically block all calls that the reciever can't see the caller-id data for. I reckon that anyone that wants to hide their number from me is not someone I want to talk to. I'd pay a quid a month for that

--Rakhal

Originally Posted by Rakhal

What I think would be a really cool optional service that NTL could supply is the ability to automatically block all calls that the reciever can't see the caller-id data for. I reckon that anyone that wants to hide their number from me is not someone I want to talk to. I'd pay a quid a month for that

Err, you might want to look at "Anonymous call rejection" which tells anyone that calls you using a witheld number that you don't take anonymous calls.

You can switch it or or off at will

[Raistlin]

Good idea, but that only blocks calls where the caller has witheld their number.

Many of these calls simply don't have the number forwarded, which is a totally different kettle of fish.

Err, but he said "what all these guys do is block caller-id"

[Raistlin]

But did he actaully mean that they block it, or that they aren't forwarding it?

We need some clarification from the OP.

[bob_builder]

What would be good would be an integrated phone/answermachine that only rang if the number was presented (or indeed was not on a blacklist) and put all other calls through to an automated answer.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by bob_builder

What would be good would be an integrated phone/answermachine that only rang if the number was presented (or indeed was not on a blacklist) and put all other calls through to an automated answer.

Or, better still, it could transfer their call to an extremely expensive premium rate number (for which they would get the bill).

[trebor]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Or, better still, it could transfer their call to an extremely expensive premium rate number (for which they would get the bill).

Now that is an idea I like the sound of

Originally Posted by trebor

Now that is an idea I like the sound of

... just a little bit illegal...

[Rakhal]

The message I get when I ring 1471 is 'The caller withheld their number' nearly always, so I assume that means they are deliberately blocking it.

I'll have to look into this anonymous caller rejection thing. Thanks!

(yes, I like the premium rate line idea as well. Damn laws... )

[bob_builder]

Originally Posted by Graham

... just a little bit illegal...

... and technically not possible - the caller only pays the cost of the code of the number they dialed any forwarding cost is paid by the person that forwards the call.

[Stephen]

Register with the Telephone preference service on 0845 070 0707 and the Silent Callgard Service on 0870 4443969. this should take care of those silent marketing calls.

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

Register with the Telephone preference service on 0845 070 0707

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

And, whilst you're at it, register your postal address with the Mail Preference Service as well so you don't get junk post

[Chrysalis]

I thought caller withheld number is simply same as anonymous call blocking?

Where they type a number before they dial you that stops 1471 working.

[Matth]

On BT (where they charge for ACR, so on the main line, we just let the answering machine take it, and friends know to talk over it), there may be a difference between "The caller witheld their number" and "We do not have a number for this call".

There is a change in the quality of unwanted calls, from the occasional long-suffering telesales operator, to the current total **** of: silent calls, autodiallers, recorded garbage (very wary of "press 9" or whatever, though I thing the only exploit was related to a switchboard - otherwise it would be worth making an attempt to get to an agent and then wasting THEIR time for a long as possible).

They should make this "telephone spamming" ILLEGAL - unfortunately, the worst of this VERMIN seems to be outside the remit of TPS - specifically, for instance, random / sequential dialling that does not use a list, is not required to honour list-based exclusions.