FabSwingers.com forum: Scam and silent phone calls help please

By *ex-a-frolics OP Couple
over a year ago

Brizzle

Recently moved in with an elderly relative & the amount of nuisance calls is infuriating. A lot of the time there’s no one there other times it’s a scam recorded message or surveys etc. Sometimes the calls are from supposedly local numbers but you can’t ring the number back.

I wouldn’t mind if I could speak to somebody & give them a piece of my mind & tell them not to call again. The relative has dementia & mobility issues & it’s really winding him up. Is it possible we’re on a suckers list & if so can we be removed, we’ve signed up with TPS but that doesn’t seem to help much. I’m sure most people have similar experiences is there anything else we can do, we did think of changing the number but that’s a hassle. Thanks.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Yes it's entirely possible you're on a suckers list. Can you check if your relative has been scammed recently or is making calls to premium rate numbers?

I don't know how you can prevent these calls but citizens advice or Age UK might

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ex-a-frolics OP Couple
over a year ago

Brizzle

He’s not making premium rate calls, nor has he been scanned, atm he’s wise enough not to press button 1 to be connected to the fraud dept but as his dementia worsens we worry!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *erfectlyPervertedCouple
over a year ago

Bristol

Contact Trading Standards in your local area and Action on Elder Abuse.

They have both been involved in successful projects to block unwanted calls through the loan of TruCall devices which log and collect information on nuisance calls.

It is also worth contacting the telephony provider, I'll bet your elderly relative is still with BT, and discuss call interception and blocking with them; they are usually quite helpful.

PM us if you require any further info or support.

R & L

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ean Claude Van ManMan
over a year ago

Wolvey

It's a bit of an investment, but I found BT handsets with built in call blockers really good.

That said, it does mean my entertaining games of 'getting the scammer to hang up on me first' have all but ceased....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uzzy NavelWoman
over a year ago

so near and yet so far....

Had this with my parents Trading standards advised getting a call blocker for £100, only numbers you’ve put into the memory are accepted, anyone who they've missed gets to call me and I call parents to see if they want to accept.

Doctors etc are given a code to get around the call blocking x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ex-a-frolics OP Couple
over a year ago

Brizzle

"Contact Trading Standards in your local area and Action on Elder Abuse.

They have both been involved in successful projects to block unwanted calls through the loan of TruCall devices which log and collect information on nuisance calls.

It is also worth contacting the telephony provider, I'll bet your elderly relative is still with BT, and discuss call interception and blocking with them; they are usually quite helpful.

PM us if you require any further info or support.

R & L"

Useful advice never heard of the Action group, haven’t had time to read it all but you have an interesting profile BTW??

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *erfectlyPervertedCouple
over a year ago

Bristol

Dementia Action Alliance have also been working with Trading Standards to provide TrueCall devices to individuals with dementia.

R & L

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uck-RogersMan
over a year ago

Tarka trail

The only thing that I can suggest is what I do. Once you have picked up the receiver and put it to your ear. and said hello. Count to 2 seconds. if no one has answered you within 2 seconds put the phone down.

As this eliminates computer generated call centres and scammers with robotic voices.

A genuine Humans would respond within 2 seconds.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ackdd72Man
over a year ago

the valleys

There is a service available (it may be BT I'm not sure) called guardian where the caller has to identify themselves before being put through to your line I know several of my father's friends have it to deal with unwanted calls

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When they call I moan on the phone as if I was taking a shit

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Answer with... "IT'S DONE... but there is blood everywhwere...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *BWandhusbandCouple
over a year ago

Midlands

I know you say it's a hassle but we've gone from approximately 5 nuisance calls a day to zero. We've had this new number for about 5 years now and haven't had a single sales call. It's bliss.

We tried all sorts to block these numbers but nothing else worked.

My mum has about 10 nuisance calls a day but refuses to change her number. She does nothing but moan about it but I've given up advising her now.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *amissCouple
over a year ago

chelmsford

I use bT call protect for my dad, I go on his account and see received calls and block the spam ones.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *allySlinkyWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

"I know you say it's a hassle but we've gone from approximately 5 nuisance calls a day to zero. We've had this new number for about 5 years now and haven't had a single sales call. It's bliss.

I agree.I did the same. Well worth changing the number.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

Speak with the phone company, to see what service options they can provide.

Report inappropriate contact to the Information Commissioners office, if it's business contact - I realise you often get no response from the numbers. UK based companies should not make unrequested contact and can be fined. The ICO has a website where reports can be logged.

Keep a log as evidence and follow your phone companys advice.

I often answer calls with silence, as automatically connected calls to your number will be listening for a voice. I also have caller display, so I can see who is calling - BT did provide it free as part of a package some time ago.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's a bit of an investment, but I found BT handsets with built in call blockers really good"

This is absolutely the best thing we did with the home phone. Now we know if the phone actually rings it’s someone genuine as they’ve had to go through the built in call guardian.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread