Recorded sales calls to your home and now mobile !!

[Keith Hewitt]

I have been pestered today by all and sundry ringing my phone, and its a recorded message flogging something!

This is a total annoyance. I have subscribed to that service NO TELE CANVASSING - but seems not to be working. Usually the number is withheld.

And just now from tel 01792 211 847 - another recorded message saying "You haven't claimed your PPI refund - press 2 for blah blah "

In todays paper some nice advice - " Ask cold callers for their home tel number, so we can continue this conversation when you get home!" When they refuse then harangue them for ringing your home number! Will use that on the next cold caller !

[Roboframer]

Would be water off a duck's back Keith, just hang up without saying a word.

[Framie]

01792 211 846 called me at 18.09 with a deadline tone and just as I was taking a bite of my dinner

[Keith Hewitt]

01792 211 846 called me at 18.09 with a deadline tone and just as I was taking a bite of my dinner

Same number ( well ending 847 ) just called my mobile - but nobody speaks.

Todays paper has some good suggestions.
Answer with a hello - let them prattle on then when they run out of steam say in a squeaky voice ..." My Mum and Dad are out - I am only 12 ! "

Or, pretend to be deaf.... keep asking them to repeat everything - they will soon hang up!

[misterdiy]

Scrolling through my "recents" I noticed that the 01792 number ending in 847 called me on Tuesday. Its the recorded message about PPI. As soon as it becomes clear its recorded I just hang up. But what I want to know is where do they get there call lists from? I don't ever give permission for my mobile to be phoned _ so where is the info coming from?

[Keith Hewitt]

I think they use a computer to scroll through all the possible numbers.

I got a call from some boiler room in New York today, so tried the " Please repeat that " " I'm deaf, say again" Then he asked me how old I was .... told him 97 - he said Geez and put the phone down.
I felt really pleased !

[GeoSpectrum]

You should never give away personal information to someone you don't know...

[Trillian]

I heard of one chap who keeps a whistle by the phone. One blow on that scares 'em off! (Although it also probably renders them completely deaf, so not sure if it's a good idea).

My favourite trick is to answer, sound all keen, and then say 'hang on a minute, let me just turn the kettle off'. I put the phone down on the table, and leave it there until they hang up. It costs them more than it costs me, although not so good if you have a lot of genuine callers trying to get through...

One time a chap called me on the business number, trying to sell me a kitchen. I politely explained that he was calling a business number, and that I didn't need a kitchen in my workshop. He told me to eff off, five times! (Each time he said it, I replied 'I'm sorry I didn't catch that, what did you say?'). I don't think he liked me very much!!!

Unfortunately, I think that automatic dialers are often used, so no need for call lists. The minute someone picks up, it registers that the number is live, and keeps re-dialling. Damn you, technology!

[philipsheldon]

I just play them the Derby County greatest goal DVD.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[prospero]

Ever had one that has no one at the other end? They dial several numbers at once and answer the first one that picks up. Then cut off the rest. That's maybe 9 people who have had to get up to answer the phone needlessly and one that gets the blurb. How many hours of folk's precious time is wasted per day? A heck of a lot methinks. I think it won't be too long before legislation has to be brought in to curb these antics.

So-called stalking was made a criminal offence. This is rapidly getting to the same ball-park.