Telephone cold calls

[firetracie]

My landline telephone is ex-directory and I have registered with the TPS to prevent cold sales calls. However, I have been receiving calls over the last couple of weeks from an unidentifiable source - there's no number to recall when I press 1471. These calls all begin the same with someone saying they're from the 'verification department' and can I confirm I am a customer of British Gas and pay by DD. I have responded in a couple of ways; by putting the phone down, by asking them to identify the company, by telling them that I'm registered with the TPS and their call is in breach of regulations. They still keep calling and each time they are very persistent in their requests for information, on one occasion the operator even said if I would just confirm my details it would mean they wouldn't have to call back again and when I tell them about TPS or insist that they tell me where they're calling from they put the phone down on me. I've now had 5 calls in 3 weeks. Is there anyone else I can contact or complain to who could help me put a stop to these calls? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[B00]

Have you a little one around? I ask because I just used to pass the phone to my toddler and she'd jabber away for ages to them. They soon got the message and stopped calling, much to her disgust.

[ChuckFickens]

The Americans have got this one right, If you receive a cold call in America all you have to do is say no twice and they are legally obliged to hang up the call.

[Norfolk-Lass]

I would just tell them yes I am a British Gas customer and pay by DD. Obviously don't give them any more details!! They will then tell you that their company is cheaper (I'm assuming they're another supplier). Let them rabbit on a bit and they'll tell you which company they are from.
Get their address details from the internet and then write a snotty letter to HQ. It worked with British Gas who insisted on speaking to my husband about our gas service contract we had with them but then proceeded to try and sell him servicing contracts for white goods. I went bolistic and wrote a stinking letter to BG about them lying about the reason for the phone call, them knowing my husband is in ill health and can't get to the phone easily, us giving our ex-dir no. in good faith only for gas service contract etc etc. After a grovelling apology we haven't heard from them again. Fingers crossed!

[wendilla]

If I dont recognise the number on my phone I don't answer it. If it is important they will contact me in writing. I am x directory but I still got random selling calls so now I check number first.

[Panic Button]

TPS can't stop calls from overseas

[Panic Button]

This might give you some ideas though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6t9Ab5SHA8

[Androcles]

The Tom Mabe one from Panicbutton is brilliant, but most of us are not that quick, so here are a few other methods:

1. Keep a police whistle or something similar handy by the phone and give them a blast or two;

2. Say, "This is Switchboard Monitoring. You have been identified calling this sex line during working hours. This call is being recorded and will be reported to your Manager. We have your extension number, please may I have your name."

3. Write yourself a short script as if you were an automated line and just keep reading it back to them. Even read something back from today's newpaper, but just keep going regardless of what they say. They soon think they have a wrong number.

4. Say "Greenstreet Taxis, how can I help you?"

5. Put on a really boring voice and say something like: " Its really kind of you to call, nobody ever rings me these days - I don't know why. My friend says its because I am really boring, But I don't think I am. Do you think I am boring? Because if you do, please say so - its really important you find these things out. You would tell me if I was boring you wouldn't you? I really like talking to somebody new, do you? What kind of things really bore you? I'm not boring you am I etc etc" Don't let them get a word in edgeways, they will soon get the message...

Finally 6> "I'm really glad you've rung, I have been tryng to get hold of somebody in your organisation for the past four weeks. When are you going to do something about my leak? I should warn you I am already on to Watchdog about you and Rogue Traders. You just keep fobbing me off with excuses - I'm staying on this line now I've got you until you fix it......... "

[firetracie]

Thanks everyone for your contribution. Like the you tube vid! No little ones and no caller display on my telephone so thanks but they're not an option. I think they are overseas as each caller has a heavily accented voice and they're obviously not adhering to the rules & regs which UK based call centres have to comply with as they still keep rining even after I've told them I'm ex-directory and registered with TPS so they're not taking any notice of that.
Will probably try the tip from Norfolk Lass first and do the snotty letter thing!
Thanks again.
Firetracie