Call Blocking Phones

[rsvp]

Would some kind soul explain to me how TPS appears almost useless against cold calling scammers yet if I fork out around £50 for a call blocking phone the results are supposed to be very much better. Thank you - have to go out now but will check in later to read and thank any replies.

[ivor4781]

tps only works for uk calls it doesn't stop call fro abroad getting thru
when i changed from bt to my phone broadband (with a new number)that i use now i opted for no phone book insert, never had a cold call in 4 years unlike before i was getting 10/15 a day

[hc4361]

TPS is very effective in blocking cold callers who are calling from the UK and abide by the rules. TPS has no jurisdiction over foreign companies and conmen and scanners don't care about TPS.
The TPS doesn't physically 'block' the calls in the same way as a call blocking phone does - it simply puts your details on a register for cold calling companies to refer to. Companies will be fined if they don't abide by the register.

A call blocking phone blocks all calls that are not on your 'white list' - which can include international numbers and withheld numbers.

[nabob]

I bought BT Guardian and now the phone never rings! Well if it does I have complete control. Would highly recommend!

[rsvp]

ivor4781 - thanks for that - I've inherited my friend's number for a short while and it's it's impractical to change providers so have to stick with BT.
hc4361 - I've got TPS but I still get a load of scam calls from UK numbers - do I have to notify TPS each time I get a new scam call and they then block it or what? Thanks
nabob will certainly check out BT guardian - many thanks for the recommendation.

[hc4361]

TSP don't block calls - they just provide a register of numbers that mustn't be cold called.

Report any callers here:
https://complaints.tpsonline.org.uk/consumer

Many scammers appear to be in the UK but are really calling from abroad

[rsvp]

thanks very much for that hc - will be reporting lots now! stay well

[ivor4781]

rsvp you can change your number (with a bit of cost) and ask not to be included in the bt phone book

[hc4361]

I haven't been in the phone book for years and never with this number - still get cold callers

[rsvp]

thank you Ivor - am not sure how long I'll be at this address so will have to stick it out really. Thanks anyway

[Tuvok]

We have the BT8500.

You add the numbers you want the phone to let through - you can add others at any time.

Call comes in - if its in your stored or allowed numbers the phone rings as normal.

If its an unknown, withheld, international number then the caller is asked to say their name and press #

The phone then rings and you hear the message from the caller eg. Joe Bloggs

If you know/want to speak to the caller you press 1 on the phone and you then have your normal call. If not, press a different number and the caller gets told that you don't want to take thier call!

If a call comes through and there is nobody at the callers end to speak and press #, then the phone disconnects the call.

You can add numbers to a blocked caller list.

We have the phone and the corded phone, so we only get 1 ring before the BT phone handles the call.

It used to be "grrr another of those calls". now its "I wonder which one that was"!

[Jackdaw33]

I have just bought one. It gives you options what to do with different types of numbers. You can block them, allow them, make them announce their name before the phone rings or send them straight to the answerphone. I allow withheld numbers as some are genuine and not many spam calls appear as withheld. Unknown numbers, those not n your phone directory, I allow. If spam I simply block them on an individual basis.

[Jackdaw33]

BTY mine is the latest model, the BT8600. Not sure how it is different to the BT8500.

[rsvp]

Tuvok and Jackdaw will look into it - thank you

[Dodger666]

We also purchased a BT8600 about 6 weeks ago and the phone hardly rings now. I have almost forgotten what an Indian accent sounds like on the phone.

A lot of the calls you're receiving, allegedly from a UK number, are also coming from abroad piggy backed on a UK number. The TPS can't do anything about that.

[rsvp]

Thank you Dodger666 - seems the scammers are getting cleverer and cleverer.