Call centres

[magentared]

I have just recieved the third phonecall this evening from a call centre and it is getting really annoying. Our number is ex-directory and I don't know how they have got it. Is there any way of reducing or stopping the number of calls we get from call centres.

Thanks for any advice, and I mean no offence to any one here who works at one.

[Kendo]

The problem is,that although you may be ex directory,these centres have phone  number generators which just make up and dial numbers at random.As the other guy Andy says,the telephone preference scheme will help.These call centres are usually with-held numbers and I believe there is a program available somewhere which blocks calls from with -held numbers.Myself? I just have my answerphone set to come on after one ring,with the message"If you are a call centre,leave your number and I won`t get back to you"

[thelewisgang]

BT do a service (which is chargeable) so when a caller with holds their number after so many rings the call gets intercepted and asks the caller to ring again as with held numbers cannot be connected to this person.  If you are with BT then give them a call for further info.  There is only one hiccup with this though.  Because a relative of mine (who rings me quite regularly) had lots of abusive calls, her number is always withheld.  She doesn't have to dial 141 before dialling as its automatic for her line therefore it would be no good for me.

[jean88]

I used to get funny phone calls all the time and nobody said a word at the other end, it got me a bit worry. I am with BT, so I contacted them and they said they should be telephone marketing calls because there arent any back ground noise. With telephone marketing, they have a machine which just dial at random (even if you are ex-directory) and sometimes some of these calls arent answer fast enough by the people who work there ( or theres a fault with the machine)  so it ended up like nuisance calls. If you are with BT ask them to stop telephone marketing calls, its free and should dry up after a few weeks. Annoying isnt it!!??