Phone Messages And Call Blockers

[Maydup]

Although we are ex directory and registered with TPS we are being bugged by nuisance calls at the moment. We have reported them and asked to be removed from their database, but no joy so we are thinking of buying a call blocker, have a few questions.

The GP surgery and hospital withold their numbers when calling about appointments or test result, will a call blocker automatically block them or can we allow witheld numbers to go to answerphone?

The current nuisance callers display their numbers so we can block those, but can we chose how to deal with with held numbers?

[Gizmonster]

Regarding dealing with withheld numbers, contact your service provider and see if they can help.
We're with Virgin Media and we selected an option to block any withheld numbers, so if anyone tries calling and withholds their number, they hear the message along the lines of, "sorry, your call has not been accepted - anonymous call barring is in operation" and they are cut off, so the phone doesn't even ring.
Any organisations that have phones that automatically withheld their number, can still get through if they wish - they need to dial 1470 (NOT 1471) before dialling our number. This releases the withheld function and allows them to get through.

[Maydup]

Do you know if the NHS do that Giz?

[Buenchico]

Whichever device you use, there can always be problems with getting the balance between 'blocked' and 'non-blocked' calls correct. While it doesn't directly answer your question, I suggest buying a mobile phone for a tenner
http://groceries.asda.com/product/vodafone-payg-mobiles/nokia-108-black-vodafone/910001316223
putting minimal credit on it and simply reserving it for incoming calls from important sources (such as the hospital). You can register the number with TPS but, since you won't be giving out the number anywhere else, you hopefully won't get any unwanted calls on it anyway. (Remember to make just one chargeable call on it every few months though, of perhaps a few seconds to the speaking clock, as mobile providers cut off services to phones that appear never to be used).

[Quizproquo]

The speaking clock is very expensive. Call yourself at home if you have to.

[wolf63]

My GPs surgery shows the number on my phone. They told me that it was changed due to people barring withheld incoming calls.

[woofgang]

I have got an answerphone with caller id. If i don’t recognise the number or I haven’t tagged it with someone’s name then I let it go to voicemail If I need to deal with hospitals etcetera then i ask them to make sure to leave a message. Chris’ idea is a very good one though if its an ongoing issue.

[pond50]

I have the same problem. Nothing can be done cos mostly calls from abroad I have had 3 car accidents in the last year and I don't even drive

[Gizmonster]

Maydup - if you mean do the NHS use the 1471 number in order to connect, I've no idea soz :(
I would imagine that there would be a protocol that they follow, when they encounter a message telling them that their phone call has been blocked. Whether dialling 1471 is in there or not, is anyone's guess .....

[Maydup]

Thanks all. Our GP definitely witholds the number to protect privacy so they say, even between spouses. The pay as you go mobile is an idea as we could then use a blocker on the other calls. However, I can see myself intending to contact the various health depts with a new contact number yet not actually getting round to it! We'll see...

Our problem Woof, is that at the moment the nuisance calls are coming in every hour and its driving us up the wall hearing it ring all afternoon. We might try a £25 blocker and see how we go.