Changing phone number

[Tanzanite]

If you change your phone number on the line that you have broadband on, would this affect the broadband?

[Rik]

The best answer I can give you, Eve, is probably. I've read of cases where people have changed their number or the bill payer's details, eg change of name, and it has generated an auto-cease on ADSL. I've also read of cases where that has been over-ridden. I would suggest calling support, who can give you a definitive answer.

If you took out Call Sign from BT, which would give you a separate number but leave the original intact, it would not cause any problems.

[Tanzanite]

Yes, I've had call sign before and no problems.

It was just an option as despite being ex directory and on the telephone preference service I still get tons of calls from random people including ones from abroad. Most of the time I dont bother answering unless they're in my phone's memory and their name flashes up but it's a pain having to listen to the phone ring several times a day every day. I'm so popular lol

I don't know how many times I've told people that no I don't want a mobility scooter (the other side of the bed isn't that far away) or double glazing, a fitted kitchen, or solar heating panels or no I'm not Mrs Stoodley or Miss Edwards (despite having the same number for over 8yrs) and I can't do telepathic phone calls when it's silent on the other end!

I have blocked caller withheld numbers too but nothing works. BT put me on some other telephone preference thing ages ago, still getting them.

[Rik]

The chances are that these are computer-generated calls, Eve, so changing your number would only move the problem.

Simplest thing to do with UK originated calls, is ask for the name of the person calling, the company and their address. Tell them that they should already know you are registered with the TPS and that they are, therefore, committing an offence under the PECR 2003, and that you will be making a complaint to the ICO. (You don't have to worry about what it stands for, they will know! )

That will get rid of most very quickly. The foreign calls you can do nothing about, and they will find you whatever number you have as they are totally generated by computer - think of them as spam, without the option to filter.

[Tanzanite]

I'll have to write that down and leave it by the phone! lol I'll never remember all that!

I thought that not answering for over a year they might go away, no such luck.
If I did change number I'd probably get phonecalls for the last person who had the number, that happened when I had call sign, the phone is quieter than when I had that (15-20 calls a day!) but still getting up to about 5 a day.

[Rik]

I know how you feel, Eve, but as with spam, there's not a lot we can do to eliminate these calls - though we can make life expensive for them by reporting the companies to the Information Commissioner. I managed to get one Sky warranty company fined by the ICO, taken to court by Trading Standards (heavy fine) and also fined by the ASA. They don't phone me anymore.

[Tanzanite]

  Good on ya!

[DorsetBoy]

This service will put a stop notice on all lists in this country  OPTOUT

cost about £1.50 to join.

They also have this little gismo that stops the call centres dead CALLBLOCKER

@£50.00 but it may be worth it for a quiet life.

Silent calls are NOT allowed now,if you get an incoming number report them.

[Tanzanite]

Thanks. Just signed up with OPT OUT 

[sobranie]

I have this super system.
I answer all calls and if it's of the cold variety I feign interest then ask the caller to hang on a moment,
stuff the 'phone down the side of the settee and go and do something or other, anywhere other than listening to the caller yacking away with'are you there,hello,hello'
I believe you eventually go on the callers blacklist .... how very sad!!
NB: I know this works extremely well with cr card companies!!!

[D-Dan]

I usually put on my best general's voice and ask them by what authority they are calling a restricted government line. I make a few key presses on my keyboard (loud enough for them to hear) before demanding that they tell me who they are and where they are calling from, adding that there is now a trace on the line and their failure to co-operate will result in criminal prosecution.

Eventually, I let them off with a warning

Generally, cold calls stop for a while after that.

First time I tried it I felt very guilty (I thought the poor lad on the other end was gonna cream, himself), but then I thought he's got of hell of a story to tell his mates in the pub. I kept him on the line (at their expense) for 25 minutes whilsy I interrogated him LOL.