Twice in the last week I have received a call in which nothing is said and the 'caller' hangs up after about 10 seconds. On dialling 1471, the caller's number is given as 01142237228 (which is a Sheffield code, I believe). I know noone in Sheffield. Today I pressed 3 to return the call and was greeted with a recorded message saying "You have received a Telephone Marketing Call'.
Does anyone know any more about this rather disturbing trend in Telephone Marketing and which firm is responsible?
2006-06-26 04:54:11 · 11 answers · asked by Owlwings 7 in Local Businesses ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
Thanks to those who suggest blocking these calls, I'll contact NTL to see if they have a similar service.
2006-06-26 05:09:38 · update #1
Yes. It's an automated call to establish what time of day you pick up. I was told that if you blow a whistle very loudly down the receiver it will upset their computers - worth a try if only for entertainment value!
The info on when you pick up is used for marketing purposes and will be sold to other companies so that they can annoy the hell out of you more accurately!
If you get a call from an actual human being, answer the phone but don't be tempted to slam it down on them. Leave the phone on one side but off the hook, that way they're paying more for the call.
2006-06-26 05:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Away With The Fairies 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Bt Offers A Service That Blocks These Calls To Your Phone On Their Main Site (free)
2006-06-26 05:05:01 · answer #2 · answered by wildinstinct 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not from that number, but from others...
It's because it's a telemarketing centre with auto-dialling - it dials more numbers than there are operators, on the assumption that many will be busy or not picked up, then the first person to answer gets the operator, the rest are just left hanging.
One of modern life's most irritating inventions.
2006-06-27 06:07:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No i dont but had a similar call from another number. I phoned BT and they have a service where you can block all call centre calls. It takes about 3 weeks before it comes into effect but the calls will stop and you will receive no more marketing calls. Call their nuisance calls department.
2006-06-26 05:02:29 · answer #4 · answered by MissBehave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that number but I have from a couple of other numbers. You should be able to get the number blocked. I wouldn't ring them because they could be someone trying to make money out of you by charging something ridiculous for the call.
2006-06-26 08:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by Evil J.Twin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a similar thing happen to me, and I'm a member of the Telephone Preference Service so i shouldn't get them! It's not very nice.
2006-06-26 06:11:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is just a marketing machine, which has been programed wrong with the wrong telephone no.
If you ring Bt if you get anymore of these calls they will sort it out for you.
Hope this helps
Sophie
2006-06-26 05:03:50 · answer #7 · answered by sophie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had about 10 calls of this nature, and got the same response as you when I returned the call. Capital One salespeople were trying to get hold of me!
2006-06-26 05:03:28 · answer #8 · answered by soozym71 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't, but I've had calls from odd numbers in other places where I don't know people, but I think you should do what Away with the fairies suggested, it sounds fun :)
2006-06-26 06:27:42 · answer #9 · answered by Mummy of 2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if this website works outside of the US, but it's worth a shot... http://www.reversephonedirectory.com/ It will let you know exactly who's calling.
2006-06-26 06:04:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋