Scam Phone Calls We've heard you had a car accident...

[terry6082]

I find these very irritating. Apart from hanging up what do you do with them?

[film4watcher]

If  you have a few minutes to spare, I find it good to string them along. When I was told I had been in a car accident (I can't drive)  and they could help me get compensation, I asked them if it mattered that I was drunk at the time and the car was stolen. They haven't called me since.

[023mjc]

Oh Noooo,  don't hang up.  Tell them you'll just go and get the person they asked for, or something similar. Then gently lay the reciever down without cutting off the call, and go out for the rest of the day.  All the time the line is open, they won't be able to hang up and they won't be able to call and bother anyone else.

Even if they can hang up, they will wait for a while before they do. See how they like having THIER time wasted.

[terry6082]

Lol. Thank you. I may use your ideas next time. 

[quantum451]

Not sure that will work. I think the person who initiates the call is the one who terminates it. Unless the system has changed?

[023mjc]

Possibly, but it still wastes their time while they wait.

[i-am-legion-too]

The most effictive free solution is to register your landline and/or mobile with TPS.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/no-more-junk?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_...

The service won't prevent you receiving texts and calls from outside the EU, but especially to anyone who feels this type of approach is more than a mild irritant, worthwhile nonetheless.

[023mjc]

I have already registered with them and it's made very little difference.

[bankhaunter]

Get yourself a device for timing and recording calls.

Next time you recieve such a call don't bother with the call centre just string them along untill you get to the company who is paying the call centre, it will usually be a firm of solicitors.

Tell them that you will be charging £10 per minute for any future calls and you will consider a future call as acceptance of the contract and invoice them accordingly.

As they don't appear to keep records at the call centre, you are very likely to receive a further call and if so invoice them.

If they contest the charge, as long as you have timed the call etc properly, take them to court and they can pay the court fees as well, you will win.

Sit back and wait for the phone to ring again.

[hightara]

I have done both....... stringing them along..... but when I ask how did they get my number as I have registered with the TPS, they hang up quick smart.

[hightara]

with unsolicited mail....... I use their pre-paid enevlope to send the stuff back to them.  Still get junk but not so much since I opted out with royal mail Door to door opt out (think that is what its called)

[quantum451]

"how did they get my number"

They don't get just your number. They use an automated thingy which dials every number in sequence. Most numbers don't exist but when it gets one it dials the calling number. I normally answer my phone quickly and the number of times I have picked up my phone to hear someone shouting at their kids to be quiet is quite surprising.

[hightara]

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@quantum451 wrote:

"how did they get my number"

They don't get just your number. They use an automated thingy which dials every number in sequence. Most numbers don't exist but when it gets one it dials the calling number. I normally answer my phone quickly and the number of times I have picked up my phone to hear someone shouting at their kids to be quiet is quite surprising.

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oh quantum.......... kids in the background...... new fact I have never heard off.  😮