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Ok so the "PPI helpline" callcentre has finally driven me mad. Getting 3 or more a day for the last few days (it wasn't normally that bad) and they are all automatic machines (nor even a real live scammer - the cheek). Then I got the "this is the computer maintenance department you've got a computer error" at 7am this morning....... So I'm wondering how to block calls.
I know some advanced phones offer this as a feature, but I'm reluctant to have to upgrade the phone (I seriously only need it to call people/have them call me). I've had a look on BT, but it seems the only free option only excludes me from call-centres signed up to one of their free services and I suspect most of the above companies are likely not on the official list.
Bt options
Sadly that means either upgrading the phone to one that stores and blocks numbers on its own (though I assume I'd still need the BT caller ID feature?) or just continuing to ignore it half the time 
Unless BT has any other options lurking around (I know sometimes not all customer options are as prominently displayed by all companies or can be hidden in strange places in the organisation structure).
Quote: Try the Telephone Preference Service
Yes.......but it isn't as good as all that; we still get cold calls even though we're on TPS. You need to make very sure you make sure that you tick or untick the little boxes declining the offer to pass your details to "relevant third parties" on any form you fill in with your phone number on it 'cos the little bu**ers wil get you one way or 'tother
Quote: Try the Telephone Preference Service
Yes.......but it isn't as good as all that; we still get cold calls even though we're on TPS. You need to make very sure you make sure that you tick or untick the little boxes declining the offer to pass your details to "relevant third parties" on any form you fill in with your phone number on it 'cos the little bu**ers will get you one way or 'tother
..............and they use cunning methods such as international numbers, withheld numbers as well as innocent looking "normal" numbers which would be particularly difficult to block. They don't like calling mobiles though!!
Best thing we ever did - and recently - was to buy a pair of modern DECT phones... Not a vast amount of money (well under £75) and, between the TPS (as suggested) and the blocking facilities on the two new phones (60 numbers between 'em ), the silence is bliss.
TPS used to be good. I get those PPI calls all the time at work, its really annoying. TPS doesnt mean alot to most these days, maybe its because the TPS are so busy that the offending callers think its worth the chance.
I had to report one persistent company recently yet despite giving the TPS all the details I had an automated email from them weeks later telling me they were unable to trace them! I knew that couldnt be right so I suspect that they dont have enough resources to cope.
TPS only has legal force when the organisation has a UK presence and many of the unsolicited calls that we get come from abroad.
I bought 2 of these recently purely for the 'block' facility, (not from these people I might add - just the first link I found for an example!). They were the most reasonably priced I could find with that function. Well pleased with them.
I didn't get the multiple handset pack because I have been stuck with 4 handsets and 3 bases that don't work because the main base packed up on a multi pack years ago
The TPS sort of works but they told me to re-register every few months to be sure it remains active.
The most annoying cold call I used to receive was some cruise advert / competition - it was an auto dialer and the first thing you heard after answering was a ships horn ! In retrospect I hope no one was listening to those calls to hear my initial response
Another vote for Truecall from me. No more "This is the Captain...", or worse still some of them calling in the middle of the night!
Really annoying that the TPS only has jursidiction in the UK. Most of these now come through as International. Luckily I don't have anyone abroad that would want to call me, so I can just block all international numbers.
Invest in a good referee's whistle like the Acme Thunderer.
Then speak vey quietly so the caller has to press the handset to his ear...... and give a good blast with the whistle.
TPS only works for cold selling calls. Callers are getting round it now by saying they are not selling but doing "market surveys" which are not covered by TPS.
I recently has a long argument with one caller about the legalities of what they were doing & they only stopped when I told them I now had had enough time to trace the address of their call & they should expect a visit from the authorities. Rang off immediately. It was an 0845 number.
But it's worth getting the callers number if possible & reporting them. If enough complaints are made the TPS will take action.
Kind of feel sorry for the employees of these companies - but not sorry enough to listen. Just say I'm signed up to the TPS and they shouldn't be phoning, then hang up. No, they don't phone mobiles - but they do text them. I get quite a few texts from loan companies and ambulance chasers, though there is nothing in my past to suggest I would need either. And I get a content free text (ie totally empty) every single week.... weird! All in all, very irritating. Who on earth buys goods and services from cold callers? They must be crazy.
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