Help! cold calling phone calls

[luckycharlie]

    Has anyone else had this problem and any ideas what we should do.

This evening we received a phonecall asking for us by name when I explained that we have TFC. He asked me why? I just said Sorry but it's nothing to do with you he then went on calling me a f.... b.. and a few other choice words.

Any ideas what we can do.


X Chas

[BarriedaleNick]

TFC??  Do you mean the TPS - http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

[lincsyokel2]

waste there time, i do. i used to give the phone to my teenage son years ago, he would lead them on for 30 mins until they asked him if he was the house owner.....................

[luckycharlie]

TFC??  Do you mean the TPS - http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

Yes Sorry !!

[luckycharlie]

waste there time, i do. i used to give the phone to my teenage son years ago, he would lead them on for 30 mins until they asked him if he was the house owner.....................

Yes but wouldn't want my children to hear this!!

[BarriedaleNick]

Well you could try the complaints process - http://complaints.tpsonline.org.uk/Consumer/

Make sure you are polite to the caller and get their details - then tell them you are registered with the TPS and put the phone down.

[luckycharlie]

  He refused to tell us the company name just told us at the beginning his name was BRIAN!!

[Kleftiwallah]

We have a 'phone with a little screen on it, if the word "unavailable" shows, I just lift the receiver and put it down on the bureau.  I pick it up and replace it, when I remember.         Cheers,     Tony.

[pg]

I'm also registered with the Telephone Pref Service but it doesn't stop the blighters having really old database info. I still get calls for the previous house owner, who died 4 years ago, and also for her husband who died before that so at least 10 years ago. It's pretty obvious they're after the previous owner as they are all selling 'old people' stuff - unnecessary cavity wall insulation (it's got solid walls), loft insulation (got some thanks and because the upper rooms use some of the roof space the actual bit with rafters is tiny) and other irritating stuff.

No long lasting solution I'm afraid, we switch between getting their name & number & complaining, asking to speak to their line manager & shouting at them, putting phone down, pretending to be the previous owner & spinning a line, or affecting a foreign accent and not 'understanding' them.

If you have better/other solutions then let us know!

[schmelda]

I know it's not a convenient solution, but BT will change your telephone number for you. 

We were getting many phone calls for previous tenants.  When advised that they had moved on several years previously they would invariably thank us, but then ring again the next day!  BT offered to change our number, but we didn't bother as we were due to move out anyway.

[cornykev]

My latest one is just telling them I rent and pay no bills, phone down, job done.   

[Robert_Brenchley]

I just hang up on them. We're registered with TPS but some get through anyway.

[luckycharlie]

  Although I don't like them phoning it was the swearing that I found upsetting has anyone else had this.

  X Chas

[Digeroo]

We got loads of calls.  They cannot stop calls from foreign parts, so the Brians and Kens and James are probably from India.  Sorry to say I have got to saying BO. 

The ones I hate the most say they are not trying sell me anything.  Well if they are not selling why are they calling?

I have asked them politely to stop the calls so I have now threatened to use a whistle if they do not stop the calls and they have reduced from several a day to one or two a week.  I also get messages dump into my messaging system. 

[Robert_Brenchley]

  Although I don't like them phoning it was the swearing that I found upsetting has anyone else had this.

  X Chas

Hang up on them and don't give them the chance.

[Poppy Mole]

I agree with Robert, the moment you realise it's no-one you know just hang up, no need for words or if you must then just a polite "no thank you" & put the phone down.

[antipodes]

Mostly they follow a script - if you say no to the first 3 questions they will hang up anyway and the person will still get paid for having quizzed you. I don't like to hang up straight off as most are paid by call. It's not their fault they have to do a completely crap job!
Usually they ask (if it's for home improvements) if you are the homeowner - say no. Say you  rent. They will call off.
If they ask are you over 60, it's to sell insurance etc, say no and they will call off.
If it's to flog frozen food, say you don't have a freezer!!!  No argument with that one!
Usually I let them present their spiel and then say quickly, thank you but I really have no need for that just now, have a nice day and ring off before they get a word in edgewise.

[gazza1960]

Jude is far more tolerant than me and after explaining we are x directory,I just grab the phone and recall the most effective expletives I can think of on the spot....not polite I know but it works for me..!!!!!!!!!!
and the Asian insurance salesfolk dont come back....

[luckycharlie]

Jude is far more tolerant than me and after explaining we are x directory,I just grab the phone and recall the most effective expletives I can think of on the spot....not polite I know but it works for me..!!!!!!!!!!
and the Asian insurance salesfolk dont come back....

DH likes this idea now
 

He has just been out and bought a phone with caller display on  so no number no answer from now on !!!

X Chas

[lincsyokel2]

We got loads of calls.  They cannot stop calls from foreign parts, so the Brians and Kens and James are probably from India.  Sorry to say I have got to saying BO.  

The ones I hate the most say they are not trying sell me anything.  Well if they are not selling why are they calling?

I have asked them politely to stop the calls so I have now threatened to use a whistle if they do not stop the calls and they have reduced from several a day to one or two a week.  I also get messages dump into my messaging system.  

The foriegn calls are the most fun, after all, you can say what you like to them, there hardly going to drive from india to confront you..............

The call with the 'you have a virus, let me log onto your pc and fix it'  scam was fun, i gave her a good telling off for stealing from peopel , and told  her she was a poor mother, and setting a bad example for her children. I think it struck home, because  when rant over, there was a long silence and she quietly hung up.