Home News Forum Articles
  Welcome back Join CF
You are here You are here: Home | Forum | Nuisance calls

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most of the discussions, articles and other free features. By joining our Virgin Media community you will have full access to all discussions, be able to view and post threads, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own images/photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please join our community today.


Welcome to Cable Forum
Go Back   Cable Forum > Virgin Media Services > Virgin Media Fixed Phone Service

Nuisance calls
Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 29-10-2010, 16:39   #1
Ouch
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 53
Ouch is on a distinguished roadOuch is on a distinguished road
Nuisance calls

I've been with NTL/VM for close to 10 years now, and we always had the same fixed phone number up until about 6 months ago when the number of nuisance calls started to get ridiculous. We were registered with the TPS but still got 10+ calls per week from various numbers, most of them overseas.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I phoned up VM and asked them if I could change our number. He was very helpful and agreed to do so and all worked well...to start with...

About 2 weeks later, we started getting calls from 08000728412. One every morning before 9am, one around lunchtime and one early evening. This carried on for three weeks. Every time I picked up the phone I got silence or an automated machine asking Miss Layla Middleton to call a number.

Finally I got a human on the other end of the phone and explained that noone of that name lives here. He apologised and told me he would make a note and we would no longer be called.

"Good!" I thought, until the next morning at 8.45 when it started again.

This has continued for months. 99% percent of the time automated or silence, and the odd human that promises to amend their database.

The number belongs to an agency that collects debts for several catalogue companies. It is UK based and uses an autodialer if the silent calls are anything to go by.

VM obviously gave me a number that used to belong to Miss Middleton and the catalogue campany have this one on record.

My question is...do I have to change my phone number again (insisting on a brand new number) and go through the hassle of informing everyone again or can VM block this number for me?

Would appreciate advice on this from someone who knows how VM deal with this kind of thing.

Cheers, Andy
Ouch is offline   Reply With Quote
Advertisement
Old 29-10-2010, 17:42   #2
AndyCambs
cf.mega poster
 
AndyCambs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Peterborough
Services: Virgin Media XL Broadband XL Virgin Mobile V+ installed! and a happy Virgin Media customer
Posts: 2,560
AndyCambs has reached the bronze age
AndyCambs has reached the bronze ageAndyCambs has reached the bronze ageAndyCambs has reached the bronze age
Re: Nuisance calls

Contact Virgin Media and ask for the Nuisance call bureau.

Virgin Media’s Nuisance Call Bureau (NCB) will help you, if you have been a victim of a nuisance and/or malicious phone call. You will need to call their free phone number and ask for the NCB on 0800 953 3333.



It's an offence under the Telecommunications Act to make persistent or malicious nuisance calls
AndyCambs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-10-2010, 17:44   #3
SuzeW
Inactive
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: 12 miles outside Glasgow.
Services: Virgin XL tv, M phone service, M broadband internet service.
Posts: 4
SuzeW is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Nuisance calls

Hi there Andy,
Ok the same thing happened to me.

I originally changed my number because my ex got hold of it and was phoning and harassing me, then passing my number on to all & sundry. So I told Virgin and they changed my number.

The very day they changed the number I started getting calls for an unknown person, from collection agencies. They wouldn't believe me when I told them I had just acquired the number and didn't know the person they were after. The cheeky sods started quizzing me and asking my name, my address etc. I gave them a phoney name and address because no way were they going to treat me like I was a criminal and a liar. They said the calls would stop.

The calls didn't stop and I had to keep my answer machine on all the time for over a week.

I made sure my number was still registered with the TPS and even reported the nuisance calls to them, but that didn't help. So I called Virgin again and told them the calls had been coming in for over a week, at all hours of the day and how the callers wouldn't say anything if I picked the phone up...just leave messages for the unknown person, and how my health is bad and I couldn't stand the stress any more.

Anyway, I got it sorted. Virgin were very understanding, especially as I have been with them for over 10 years. They gave me a brand new numberfor free...not a recylced one, a brand new one. One which I got to pick myself. They asked me to pick numbers between a certain range, for each digit, and then they activated my new number within 24 hours.

I've had no nuisance calls since.

I know it's rotten, but you're likely going to have to change your number again.

Hope this helps!

Suze
SuzeW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2010, 14:56   #4
Ouch
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 53
Ouch is on a distinguished roadOuch is on a distinguished road
Smile Re: Nuisance calls

Just an update on this. I managed to speak to a manager at the company that were pestering us and after a short discussion he understood and said he would remove us from the database...but the calls kept coming....

So, I phoned the nusiance call bureau on the number above and explained the situation and asked if it would be possible to have a new number.

The guy told me that there are no new numbers at all. No provider in the UK has any new numbers and the "I should really think carefully and weigh up the pros and cons" of changing my number as the new number might have even more nuisance calls.

I told him it couldnt possibly be any worse and he said he could swap me to pre-used number for a £25 fee. I asked why it was £25 and he told me that I'd had my "free change" and subsequent changes are £25.

So my "free" change caused the problem and they want me to pay £25 to switch to a number that might still have problems.

I'm so annoyed right now I'm on the verge of cancelling my 10 year account with virgin, moving to mobiles only, freeview tv and a different BB provider.

Can anyone tell me if the guy was telling the truth about having no new numbers?

****** customer service from VM.

Cheers,

Andy
Ouch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2010, 15:21   #5
Milambar
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 954
Milambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Nuisance calls

Something similar happened to me when I first got my VM landline. I was getting daily calls demanding to speak to someone who doesn't live here. The messages on my answerphone had a reference number, so I called them up.

Upon giving the reference number, they automatically told me the amount the person owed, without confirming whom I was. They shut up very quickly when I pointed out that was a breach of data protection act. I eventually got a manager who promised to remove me from the database. He didn't and the calls continued. Every day, between 9 and 11am, another call arrived.

I called them back again, and persuaded the person at the end of the line to give me the name of the company, and by googling I found out that they were an "arm" of a law firm, and the name of their senior partner.

I got my lawyer to send the senior partner, a cease and desist letter. Two days later, I got a personal phone call from the senior partner himself, apologizing, and gave me his personal assurance that I would be removed from the database.

I recieved no further calls. Ever.
Milambar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2010, 16:17   #6
Wild Oscar
cf.addict
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 330
Wild Oscar is on a distinguished roadWild Oscar is on a distinguished road
Re: Nuisance calls

It's simple really .. as Milamber says , use an answerphone!!

I guarantee this will stop all nuisance calls .. it might take a week or two , but eventually they will give up! Nobody in that line of business will usually leave a message , neither will the automated diallers (obviously!) so your number will not get passed on ..

All your friends and family will soon get used to it .. I've used one for several years now and never get bothered by nuisance calls!
Wild Oscar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2010, 20:54   #7
MTJR
Inactive
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 112
MTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the rough
Re: Nuisance calls

I thought there was a feature you could use to block particular incoming numbers but I could be wrong.
MTJR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 13:15   #8
GarysStewart
Inactive
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 6
GarysStewart is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Nuisance calls

i have never had this problem with virgin media and i have been with them well along time from yorkshire cable all the way through to virgin media anyways my mum and dad have bt and they got them all the time but when they changed to virgin media they started getting the same thing but after about 3 weeks and with there answerphone they stopped and have stopped ever since so the answer phone is the way to go on this one
GarysStewart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 14:01   #9
Digital Fanatic
Inactive
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Liverpool
Services: VM XL TV with VM TiVo 1TB x 2 > VM XL BB > VM XL Telephone
Posts: 8,384
Digital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny star
Digital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny star
Re: Nuisance calls

Quote:
Originally Posted by MTJR View Post
I thought there was a feature you could use to block particular incoming numbers but I could be wrong.
VM don't currently offer that service. It is available on BT, but is a little pricey for what it does and you can only have about 10 numbers barred. It called "Choose-to-refuse"

I use TrueCall... expensive to set up, but worth every penny to me!

www.truecall.co.uk
Digital Fanatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 14:07   #10
MTJR
Inactive
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 112
MTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the roughMTJR is a jewel in the rough
Re: Nuisance calls

Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic View Post
VM don't currently offer that service. It is available on BT, but is a little pricey for what it does and you can only have about 10 numbers barred. It called "Choose-to-refuse"

I use TrueCall... expensive to set up, but worth every penny to me!

www.truecall.co.uk
Ouch! That's a pocket eater!

However, if it works for you and you're happy with it then more power to your elbow (other body parts are available).
MTJR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 15:20   #11
Digital Fanatic
Inactive
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Liverpool
Services: VM XL TV with VM TiVo 1TB x 2 > VM XL BB > VM XL Telephone
Posts: 8,384
Digital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny star
Digital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny starDigital Fanatic has a nice shiny star
Re: Nuisance calls

Quote:
Originally Posted by MTJR View Post
Ouch! That's a pocket eater!

However, if it works for you and you're happy with it then more power to your elbow (other body parts are available).
It's like having a secretary at home
Digital Fanatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-11-2010, 14:16   #12
squirrel1970
Inactive
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 376
squirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Nuisance calls

I've been getting a series of 'empty' phone calls.. it rings, but there's nobody there on the other end (I know, it's a bot dialling, but there's no human to actually 'make' the call) and after dialling 1471 after the last call, I'm flummoxed by the fact that the last number was only 7 digits long?
(0091502)
I'm ex directory and only a scant handful of people have my number... I've done the TPS thing.
squirrel1970 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-11-2010, 14:49   #13
Milambar
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 954
Milambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond reputeMilambar has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Nuisance calls

Most likely a spoofed number from offshore, to get past answering machines and services that reject number withheld calls.
Milambar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-11-2010, 15:49   #14
squirrel1970
Inactive
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 376
squirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of lightsquirrel1970 is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Nuisance calls

I put the number from 1471 into google 'out of curiosity' and it is an offshore call centre...
A trip to the tps site also led me to googling 'SilentCall-Gard' http://www.ukdatait.co.uk/cgi-bin/sgAddNumber.cgi
So I'm hoping I have nipped this problem...
squirrel1970 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-11-2010, 17:14   #15
joglynne
Born again teenager.
 
joglynne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Manchester. (VM area 20)
Age: 75
Services: Maxit TV, M250 Fibre BB. Phone-Anytime Chatter
Posts: 13,693
joglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aura
joglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aurajoglynne has a golden aura
Re: Nuisance calls

Quote:
Originally Posted by squirrel1970 View Post
I put the number from 1471 into google 'out of curiosity' and it is an offshore call centre...
A trip to the tps site also led me to googling 'SilentCall-Gard' http://www.ukdatait.co.uk/cgi-bin/sgAddNumber.cgi
So I'm hoping I have nipped this problem...
Just out of interest how much do you have to pay for the unit, or is this a free service that is not dependant on you buying a call blocker unit?

If it is a free service I would be interested to hear from anyone else who already has it set up as silent calls are starting to really irritate me.
__________________
"I intend to live forever, or die trying" - Groucho Marx..... "but whilst I do I shall do so disgracefully." Jo Glynne
joglynne is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:42.


Server: osmium.zmnt.uk
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.