Is it possible to block certain (nuisance) incoming calls by their numbers on BT?

Question

I have a BT phone line in my office (residential not business line), I am wasting hours each day answering the phone to morons trying to sell me rubbish I don't need. I need my phone line and I need the number I currently have, but I am wasting too much time answering calls from idiots that want to talk to me more than I want to talk to them. My reaction to this is getting ruder and ruder as my frustration grows. I already have caller display and ignor the no number calls; but I keep getting the same idiots phoning. I want to be able to 'block' certain (non-local) numbers so they can't call me any longer, is this possible and how do I do it?

Answer 1

BT has two services to block unwanted calls.

1) Anonymous Call Rejection - prevents any ringing if the caller uses 'number withheld' (but this costs 4 pounds a month).

2) Choose To Refuse - prevents up to 10 different numbers from calling you (you key in a code to tell your exchange to 'block calls from the last number') and because the exchange gets the number even if it shows as 'number withheld' it can block numbers you don't know. There's a monthly fee for this too.

Problems with these: if the call is INTERNATIONAL or UNKNOWN then the call will get through to you (cannot block an unknown number, and doesn't match 'withheld' even though the number is not shown). Some sales firms use these methods to get calls past the existing BT 'blocks'.


With both services the caller gets a voice message from the exchange (telling them you don't accept number withheld calls, or that you don't accept calls from their number), but your line is still available, so someone else can phone you or you can make an outgoing call.

Although 'Choose to Refuse' might seem to be the answer to your query, it will depend on whether the callers have only one (switchboard) number when making calls, or lots of different numbers. The system only lets you block 10 different numbers anyway.


The TPS (Telephone Preference Service) is the 'prevent sales calls' system which *should* cause a fine of 5,000 pounds, but it does not seem to work for everyone (some firms are still unaware of the TPS).


You could use an answerphone to 'screen' calls from unknown numbers. It will allow you time to pick up if you hear the name of a person/firm whose call you want to answer, but it will allow sales calls to get through - with a short time for the message to be recorded you can limit the distraction from such calls.

In the past I've plugged in an old FAX machine and just clicked the "start" button for callers who I don't want to answer. They quickly stop calling to 'talk' as they just get a load of tones in their ear.

Another option would be to get a Call Sign number. That number rings on the same phone line but has a different style of ringing. You tell contacts you WANT to answer the second number (it never gets sent out to other phones when you make a call) and there is a device from BT called a TwinTalk so you could plug an answerphone into the 'main' number and only pick up the phone when someone rings your CallSign number. It doesn't stop nuisance callers from getting through to your 'main' number, but with the volume down, the answerphone can take those calls for you.

I have Call Barring and now block ALL incoming calls for hours or days if I want to get on with work - I can still make outgoing calls, but important contacts have my mobile numbers, so can still call me, and I'm happy to call them back. It also means that when I have company, there's nothing to disturb a romantic evening in!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Bt Business Myoffice

Answer 4

How long did you have the new phone number without drama? How long had the number been out of order before it was assigned to you (you could have asked the phone rep that assigned it to you). Maybe that's why the previous person ditched the number too. It could be calls for the previous phone number holder. Other than that....it's not a bill collector, telemarker, family, or friends. So, after giving your husband the benefit of doubt and considering the first thing I posted, I'd jump to a mistress as second. Sorry....

Answer 5

I know how you feel i keep getting phone calls from india offering me mortgages at 9-10pm every night . I have contacted bt and arranged for the bt privacy so only residential numbers can get through not the company ones. The problem is that some are still getting through i have contacted bt and they said they some companys have worked out how to get through. I have got to pay £50 for a filter for my phone now to get rid of them completly. Not happy.

Answer 6

Easy. For a small monthly fixed fee BT can block all numbers that don't come up on caller ID or 1471, ie numbers that have been withheld or numbers not available.

Answer 7

Yeah theres a thing BT do tht stops all sales calls i have it n its a lot more peaceful lol i found out about it on the BT website :) plus its free

Answer 8

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Answer 9

OK, call BT or fill special form on line for stop all marketing calls to your number. If they continue to do so they have to pay penalty of £5.000. You can inform any caller about it straight away.
P S I was annoyed by some glass companies about double glazing or conservatory ... Now it is stopped. Thanks to that service

Answer 10

The following information is factually correct:
Telephone Preference Service 0845 070 0707
(allow 28 days for it to become effective)
To stop 'Silent Calls' 0870 444 3969
Hope this information is helpful.