Nuisance calls..... some useful information

[leebarnfield 30]

I found this on the internet and thought it was quite useful advice about dealing with nuisance calls.

 

 

A Big Computer sits there dialling sequential numbers. For example 07913 000001. No one answers and it does not ring because the number does not exist. The computer puts that number in its 'no such number' list, call it List A.

 

Then it rings 07913 000002. This number rings and the computer registers it as ringing. No one answers. The computer puts that number in its 'genuine number but no one answers' list. We will call it list B

 

Then it rings 07913 000003. The number rings and the computer registers it as ringing. So it is in list B. Someone answers. This promotes it to List C. There is then a 2 second pause, just silence, while the computer connects you to an operative's desk. The computer flashes a light on the call centre operative's desk. The operative hits a button and the call is connected to the operative.

 

The computer sometimes (this will always be the case if you are a customer of the bank, or utility company) has all the details of the called person, that's how they know who you are. All your details come up on a screen in front of the operative. The operative has a set script to try to keep you talking for as long as possible. If you were alert at the start, you would have sensed the 2 seconds of silence, and hung up. If this is the case the computer puts you in List C.

 

If you were not alert, or were curious to know who is calling, and you actually talk to someone, even if it is to tell them to 'go away' in, you get put in List D.
The operative might tell you they are not selling you anything, just 'doing a survey'. That's a load of old toss, they are trying to sell you something.

The main objective of the calling company is to compile a computerised list of telephone numbers in order of increasing value. They will then sell the lists to anyone who will buy them.

 

List A is worth £
List B is worth ££
List C is worth £££
List D is worth ££££

So. The thing to do is, if you don't recognise the number, just don't answer. Then you will only be in list B, a genuine number. You can't do anything about that (unless you work in the IT dept of the phone company), because you have a phone. As you are in list B you won't be so valuable, so you won't get many of these calls.

If you answer and talk to the operative, even for a brief second, you will be in List D and you will get hundreds of the calls.

The rule is: if you don't recognise the caller number don't let it ring for any longer than it takes to press the 'off' button. Don't let it go to voicemail if you can help it because that will constitute an answered number. Certainly NEVER say anything to them. If you open your mouth they will confirm that you are a male, or a female. You don't need to give them that much information.

[Maggie 65]

So...if you have answered a call and ended up on List D and are getting junk calls, how do you rectify this?

Edited September 24, 2014 by Maggie

[leebarnfield 30]

hmmm probably not much.

 

Currently I am getting multiple calls a day, its very annoying.

[Maggie 65]

Until very recently we didn't have caller number display, and now we have we can avoid answering numbers which look odd.  It is worth getting this service if you don't already have it.