Silent calls

Niall · Dec 06, 2011, 18:48:44

Out of curiosity, is it possible for IDnet to trace silent calls if the caller blocks the number? I know BT used to have something in place that had the ability to trace them when you reported it to them and the police as we did it here, but I'm just wondering if there's anything that IDnet can do now?

Just wondering as someone that was supposedly good friends has rather randomly turned into a complete psycho and has gone from threatening phone calls and texts to silent calls. I imagine if we get the police involved it would be rather easy to check the time him and his girlfriend have made calls, probably from the school they work in, but is there anything immediate that can be done, you know, short of me going around to his house and ripping his throat out?

Oh, this isn't me receiving the calls by the way, it's my sister.

.Griff. · Dec 06, 2011, 18:56:28

I would imagine A, Idnet would still rely on BT(W) to trace the calls and B, Even if Idnet could do it themselves they wouldn't release the information to you anyway.

Lance · Dec 06, 2011, 18:57:44

I'm not sure anyone here will know so emailing support might be the best option.

Steve · Dec 06, 2011, 19:05:33

This is BT's advice.

http://www.bt.com/includingyou/calling-easier-unwanted-calls.html?s_cid=con_FURL_unwantedcalls

Hopefully IDNet will have someone who looks after malicious calls, the key is not to give the caller any emotional response.

Niall · Dec 06, 2011, 19:20:01

It's already been reported to IDnet, as I posted, I was just curious.

I have to say that it's a weird set of circumstances. A supposedly decent mate, stole his best mates missus and for reasons unknown has started bombarding my sister and him with abuse, then abusive texts from both this lad and the woman, and now it's silent calls with the TV on in the background, and not a pocket dial either. To make things more odd, this person has been posting on Facebook claiming that the parties he's been slating behind everyone's back, and threatening are the ones stirring about him, which is completely untrue, making the most pathetic whiny posts about how people are making him feel depressed but he'll fight on because he's got a kid to support. It's the most manipulative cr*p I've ever seen someone posting, and quite the work of a mind that suffers from obsessional disorders and stalking.

I honestly can't see anything good coming from this at all, and will be amazed if the police aren't involved one way or another in the next week or so.

Technical Ben · Dec 06, 2011, 20:19:28

Some people are just that way. I tend to avoid those who show "strange" tendencies with harmful consequences or at least keep them at "arms reach". Unless it's just innocent strangeness and silliness like you get here!

mervl · Dec 06, 2011, 22:11:46

It's a sort of weirdness that is only too common, unfortunately, and they just seem to wind themselves up more and more, whatever happens. From my mother's experience, years ago, I suspect changing the number and keeping it ex-directory on a need to know basis is the only effective option, as long as they keep to being a digital/analogue nuisance, hopefully, (and a thick skin). It can be a very long haul, though ma was lucky in that respect.

Niall · Dec 06, 2011, 23:19:17

Yeah, well I'm big enough to have nothing to worry about, and this lad is burning bridges left right and centre so I doubt much will come of that. It seems to be people they abandoned 20 years ago that are commenting, or people they work with that have no idea. I swear to god, it's like a bad episode of EastEnders

I imagine changing their number would be the easiest, and probably the best option as they'd then have no way to annoy them directly.

Technical Ben · Dec 07, 2011, 10:12:07

I also try to not get offended by people. At least when it comes to customers, who technically I can't "avoid". Not had much experience with acquaintances, as said, I just avoid disputes in that situation. With customers I try and be as helpful and friendly and polite as possible. So it would crack even the most obtuse arrogance. If that does not work, then I will probably say "thanks, but not worth my time, your free to shop around". Sometimes they suddenly realise they need the work after all and back track.

I only ever got abuse in my last job, where I had no control over situations. So I could not help the customer, refuse their request or anything really (some people want actions, not polite words). Got some real stick and constant aggravation from customers, all cos of company/legal restrictions that had nothing to do with me. Even when your polite and helpful they would be aggressive.

Polchraine · Dec 07, 2011, 14:42:35

The call routing equipment will be able to access the originating number. It is in the call data along with a flag indicating whether it can be displayed to the recipient and only in the analogue phase from exchange to home is it not transmitted.

I had an ISDN line until recently and having appropriate software allowed me to inspect every call if I wished to and pull out the originating details even if it was "number withheld".

Lance · Dec 07, 2011, 16:00:52

Quote from: Polchraine on Dec 07, 2011, 14:42:35
The call routing equipment will be able to access the originating number.

Which is BT's as IDNet are just a reseller - they don't have their own equipment.

Simon · Dec 07, 2011, 16:16:05

I'd be doubtful if it were legal for IDNet to give out number data anyway, unless under a court order.

Rik · Dec 07, 2011, 17:15:18

Even then, they'd probably have to get it from BTw.

Bill · Dec 07, 2011, 23:35:02

@ Niall

Next time it happens, hold the phone against a smoke detector and press the "Test" button... doesn't solve anything but it's quite satisfying

home102938 · Dec 08, 2011, 00:01:16

Quote from: Bill on Dec 07, 2011, 23:35:02
@ Niall

Next time it happens, hold the phone against a smoke detector and press the "Test" button... doesn't solve anything but it's quite satisfying

Brill idea

may use it on the nuisance marketing calls from abroad

Rik · Dec 08, 2011, 08:19:44

Karmic, Bill.

Niall · Dec 08, 2011, 14:30:56

Apparently there has been a change since the 80s and IDnet say they cannot trace withheld calls now. I'd love to know what's changed as they could and did in the past (BT that is). I also know 999 calls can be traced so there are ways to implement it. But hey, why should Bts paying customers be entitled to feel safe in their own home?

Yet another reason why BT are pathetic.

.Griff. · Dec 08, 2011, 14:40:48

Niall BT can and do trace withheld calls and whoever told you otherwise is wrong.

I've several close friends in the police and two of them have dealt with cases concerning malicious calls in the last few months and the calls were traced with no trouble at all. My own Police force, West Midlands, has a page on their website dedicated to "Nuisance/Malicious calls" and it even confirms on there that calls can be traced.

In the mean time why not simply bar withheld numbers? That way anyone attempting to call your sister while withholding their number will simply get a message telling them the recipient has blocked withheld numbers and the call is rejected.

Ardua · Dec 08, 2011, 14:41:19

Thought that I would see what my local police force has to say on the subject:

http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/help-advice/nuisance-malicious-calls/index.asp

It does beg the question 'When is a telephone provider not a telephone provider'?

Edit:

Sorry - Griff. We posted at the same time.

Lance · Dec 08, 2011, 14:46:47

I'm wondering if it can only be done at the request of the police.

.Griff. · Dec 08, 2011, 14:47:07

Quote from: Ardua on Dec 08, 2011, 14:41:19
Thought that I would see what my local police force has to say on the subject:

[url]http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/help-advice/nuisance-malicious-calls/index.asp/url]

It does beg the question 'When is a telephone provider not a telephone provider'?

Edit:

Sorry - Griff. We posted at the same time.

No problem mate.

On a slightly off topic subject I keep getting calls from a sales company pretending to be a market research company. I've been registered with TPS for years and made a complaint to them about this company months ago to no avail. So I called BT as a last resort. Their advice?!? Pay them £3+ a month to block the number. What kind of service is that!!!!?

Steve · Dec 08, 2011, 15:18:03

Quote from: Lance on Dec 08, 2011, 14:46:47
I'm wondering if it can only be done at the request of the police.

That's my understanding.

Niall · Dec 08, 2011, 22:32:05

Quote from: Steve on Dec 08, 2011, 15:18:03
That's my understanding.

That must be the case then, as it was IDnet themselves that told my sister the number can't be traced. What good is that if you only get given half the info? Might explain why, when years ago we had the police involved we traced the number. In the old case we had, it was the local nutcase that actually worked for BT, and was calling by connecting to line externally. I think they traced him through BT themselves. Guess who he doesn't work for anymore

Frankly I'm getting sick of the whole thing. It's absolutely nothing to do with me, and yet I've been dragged right into the middle of it. Doesn't matter what I want, lets just dump all our sh*t on Niall

talos · Dec 09, 2011, 07:34:06

My suggestion and the system I use is to route all calls through an answering Mc , friends and regular callers expect and understand it and the unwanted calls are now starting to get less and less. Anyone who may need "instant" communication have my mobile No. Ok so it cost me to return some answer Mc calls, but I dont get that many, I also have caller display on all phones, so I answer them personally if I recognise the number.

Rik · Dec 09, 2011, 08:07:47

A Truecall unit would be another approach.