Why are they doing this?

[simpo two]

Four times in the last two days my business line has rung. Each time, as I answer it, it hangs up. It even hung up when the answerphone cut in.

1471 says: 'We do not have the caller's number' (not number witheld).

Maybe these are junk calls from the US - but what is the point of dialling then hanging up?

[chim_knee]

They have systems that ring numbers and if answered they route them to an available call-center person. If no call-center person is available, the system just hangs up.

Are you with the TPS?

[minimax]

I think it's a call centre that has an outbound dialler which dials 5000 numbers simultaneously and connects it's operators to the first 500 answered, meaning that if you aren't among the ones to answer first it just drops the call... or something like that

[staceyb]

They ring about 10 lines at once and talk to the person who answers first, the other nine people just get extremely pissed off. Put TPS on your phone.

[esselte]

chim_knee said:

Are you with the TPS?

Does this work for offshore based callers?ie USA India etc.

[chim_knee]

esselte said:

chim_knee said: Are you with the TPS? Does this work for offshore based callers?ie USA India etc.

That I don't know, I'm afraid.

[staceyb]

Yup

[baskey]

it's probably those multidialling things for people selling things (as mentioned) but it could be your service provider testing the line for some reason..?

[Eric Mc]

It should but it is very hit and miss. I had a blazing row with an Indian chap who, when I politely asked him had he heard of TPS, said that it didn't cover his company's activities i.e. cold calling.

[simpo two]

Well I've added the number to the TPS at http://mpsonline.org.uk/tps/

However I recall that non-European calls are immune from this database.

Thanks all!

[silversun]

I am registered with the TPS and ex-directory but I have still been getting cold calls. I have informed all callers that I am registered with them and asked them to remove my number.

[SS2.]

AFAIK, only overseas companies with a UK presence (agent / parent company / 09xx number registered in the UK etc) come under the jurisdiction of the TPS.

USA / Indian companies without any UK ties are not bound by the TPS and operate outside of the rules.

[esselte]

Eric Mc said:

It should but it is very hit and miss. I had a blazing row with an Indian chap who, when I politely asked him had he heard of TPS, said that it didn't cover his company's activities i.e. cold calling.

Ha! That's exactly what it covers

[simpo two]

Eric Mc said:

I had a blazing row with an Indian chap who, when I politely asked him had he heard of TPS, said that it didn't cover his company's activities i.e. cold calling.

How about 'Listen buddy, if you want to trade with me you should have stayed in the British Empire'.

[esselte]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think it does if he works for a UK company.I stand to be corrected (and usually am )

[chim_knee]

silversun said:

I am registered with the TPS and ex-directory but I have still been getting cold calls. I have informed all callers that I am registered with them and asked them to remove my number.

Me too but I STILL get calls from Everest. They usual start with "are you the homeowner of xxxxx" (which isn't my address but I'm guessing I've got a number that used to be for that address). I usually say no and explain that I'm on the TPS and they always promise to remove the number immediately or put a note on the system. Has it stopped them? Has it !

The address they are saying is very local and I've found out that it's a 1st floor flat. I am thinking of asking them to send round a rep to quote on the addition of a conservatory

[trooperiziz]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[staceyb]

Dont bother mentioning TPS or anything like that just ask for the name of the company (in a nice sweet voice) then ( in my gruff hard northern voice) say that if you dont stop calling you can and will do them harressment, in my experience works a treat.

(By the way I dont know if i can actually sue them or whatever but the mention of it normally shuts them up)

[dieseljohn]

Since going on the TPS I get no cold calls at all. I do miss the comedy moment when the Indian chap or chapess read my second name (Irving) realised they had no chance of pronouncing it, paused, stuttered for a second and then came out with ear-wing or something.