Whats the best way to stop sales calls to my home phone number? Already tried BT privacy?

Answer 1

register with the TPS (telephone preferential service). they are on internet. it's free and easy. stops almost all calls immediately and if you say that you're registered with them the remainder usually hang up pretty quickly.

Answer 2

Have had this problem myself. The advice I received from BT is to lift the receiver and say nothing. If a voice asks to speak to a particular person [you] tell them that the person they wish to speak to has gone abroad and you are not sure when they're coming back, if ever.

Always answer your phone 'silently'. If the person calling knows you, they will speak and you'll know them anyway.

There are a lot of cold calling companies who dial up thousands of numbers at a time, so when you lift the receiver you are listening to a dead line - static. Put the receiver down. Ignore such calls they eventually stop bothering you.

My phone number has always been ex-directory. It makes no difference. The cold callers are calling blind to a bank of numbers. They've got your number on a list maybe because you answered a call once. Say nothing when they call - when anyone calls for that matter.

Get yourself an answerphone. This will act as your secretary. If you do not wish to speak to a particular caller, ignore the phone, let them leave a message and deal with it at your leisure.

Answer 3

As well as trying every other answer (ignore the American phone number from Bones, it doesn't apply in the UK) you should make yourself ex-directory. BT are very good at doing that if you ask them.

Also, get yourself a phone with a screen and subscribe to Caller Display. If the incoming call is unrecognised number (especially if foreign) the don't answer it. That way the cold-callers can't register you as 'real number'.

It will also help if you subscribe to BT "witheld number barring" service. This costs a bit per quarter but is well worth it because almost all cold-calls from the UK are witheld numbers.

If you miss a friend's call they'll call again and you can explain what you're doing.

While you're doing all this you should bar outgoing 0900 calls then nobody in your house (including any sneaky autodialler in your PC) can run up expensive premium rate calls. It's a free service from BT.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Bt Privacy takes 28 days to have full effect. If you have registered with bt privacy for over 28 days call tps to report this and they will take it further. Remember you can request the company to take you off calling list and they MUST oblige. If silent call you can register on 0870 4443969 (I'm sure this lasts for 1 year and need to re-register but check) or via tpsonline.org.uk or 0800 398 893.
Hope that helps!?!

Answer 5

or better yet, set up something to record your phone calls. then have fun. Keep the telemarketers on the phone while you try and relate to thier sales pitch about gutters. Tell them how your uncle jim fell from the ladder and hurt his back while cleaning the gutters and thats why you would like the product. after really getting the salespersons wheels turning, calmly inform them you are not intrested. The jokes on them when it ends up being you wasting thier time

Answer 6

Put you number in the Do Not Call list. It is a site provided also by the government.

Answer 7

First you need to apply to the "No Call" List. But even that didn't work for me. So I made an answering machine message telling all salespeople to back off, and it has worked quite well. No more salespeople call me at all. Maybe one per month. If that much. Hope this helps!! : )

Answer 8

Use the TPS, like someone else has suggested.

However this does not work for unwanted calls from outside the UK. I usually just let them talk and say no thanks at the end. Then tell them that at least I've saved someone else the bother of being called by them.

Answer 9

you can try anonamas call rejection cost £4 a month and will not allow calls through that withhold there number call bt on 0800 800 829 for more info!!!

Answer 10

i take everything they offer the times iv seen double glazing and kitchen salesmen looking for 57 when the street only goes up to 51 or sometimes they ask for your phone number and i say don't you know you just phoned me if they say no it was a random number i give them the local police station or the Chinese restaurant