Bogus Mobile phone scam calls

I like the idea of different melodies for different people. Must look into that this afternoon

I also set a "Melody" (there is a choice of ringtones) against some names. I have a familly melody, a close friends melody, a VIP melody and a medical medley.*

Ooh, who is on the VIP list, do tell?
I think a medical medley would be fun, there are so many, hospital, doctor, dentist, optician, hearing centre, podiatrist, and then possibly physiotherapist, osteopath, acupuncture, chiropractic, yoga, keep fit classes, hypnotism, psychiatrist. On second thoughts, maybe a bit tricky. 😂

Correction - I have a medical melody, not a medley of tunes for hospital, doctor etc!

I opted to keep my landline function when upgraded to full fibre to the house. The (VOIP) handsets work in exactly the same way as the old ones.

Every time I have a new contact, I add that number and the name of the contact to the address book on the handset (only need to add it to one handset). When the phone rings, the name of the caller shows on the handset. I can see who is calling. Sometimes, the handset shows "Nuisance call?". I block the number.

I also set a "Melody" (there is a choice of ringtones) against some names. I have a familly melody, a close friends melody, a VIP melody and a medical medley. This means I can hear from the ringtone if it is someone I know and am likely to want to take their call.
I find this really useful.

Chestnut - before blocking - I do check that it's non - essential.
There are days when I receive up to six a day. I was spitting feathers listening to scams .
It does take time to check.

Wheniwasyourage

If it's a UK number, my phone tells me where a call is coming from, which is a help in being quite sure that I am not going to answer it. If anyone wants me, they can leave a message.

Sadly all our recent NHS appointment and follow up calls have been unknown, not given numbers; some with a London code (100 miles from us)

Esmay

I receive at least three a day .
I used to answer all calls .
Now if I don't recognise the number - I don't answer ,but block.

Not a good idea. What if it's a medical query from the hospital. Answer but don't speak, wait and see what happens.

By the way, if a very nice English voice says 'Can you hear me?' it's an AI bot trying to converse with you. You automatically want to say 'yes' but instead just wait, see what happens. If it's clearly a robot then next time I shall say 'fish and chips' in a funny high pitched voice or something to see what they do. 😂

I receive at least three a day .
I used to answer all calls .
Now if I don't recognise the number - I don't answer ,but block.

I just answer but don't speak. Usually there is silence followed by a little click and they're gone. That's a scam. I immediately block the number. If it's a real person they will speak, or you could say hello if you think there is a real person there.

You should never block all calls because it could be the doctor, hospital or any other genuine call.

If anyone claims to be from BT about updating fixing your phone or broadband, they will be a scammer. It is Openreach who fixes lines. and repairs. I have just given someone an earfull about taking too long to replace my line and he didn't need access to my modem till that was fixed. I objected to the last one calling me a F****g B*****d when I wouldn't give him access to my computer.
Use accent or a little old lady voice.

Read recently that when answering your mobile phone, do not say Yes. Instead say, It is. Or just disconnect the call and block the number.
Scammers can put any number they choose when ringing people and they record your voice when you say Yes or No then use the recording.
Advice when asked, “Am I speaking with…?” Is to say “You are.” Or put your phone down.
Scammers keep finding new ways in their attempts to trick us

Bit confused on this one. You mention 1571 which is the BT call minder on my house phone. You know where a caller can leave a message on you house phone if you not at home

There is a way of or blocking these nuisance and scam called from your phone. So ask BT on how you can do it from your your hone keypad.

Had two letters from BT over the last year to say they are going to upgrade my house phone and wifi hub. Still awaiting to their visit!

One of the advantages BT claim is that l will be receive fewer nuisance and scam calls.

As for mobiles

I do not have Voice Mail. But do use the blocking facility to stop nuisance calls.

Also EE block people who try and use your mobile number to get additional credit in their phone whilst on holiday

Happened to me twice. But you have to let EE know

Hope you find a solution

My phone warns me too of a ‘suspected scam’ so it’s easy to press on the i and block the caller. Should I choose to answer, the current calls are for PCP which I’ve never had or solar power ‘following my enquiry’, which I hadn’t.

Some good advice on here. NB >> our local village mag has standard advice to forward any 'dodgy' Texts on to 7726.

WhenIwasyourage - sadly, these scammers have found software that makes calls from abroad appear as though they were made in the UK. I receive on average 3 calls a week on my landline supposedly from Virgin Media about my broadband speed. I haven't been with Virgin for about 5 years.

My late DD was in cyber security and I'd say about 20 years ago she was adamant about not loading any photos onto the internet as they can can be used to scam people. Just about had a fit when she discovered I'd signed up for FB but I hadn't given pictures for my profile and, have never posted any at all. The phone number problem is even greater unless as some comments note your phone can block any not registered in your details. Most medical systems if not getting an answer to a phone call will text a message, at least they should.

If I don't recognise a number I won't pick it up. My phone often warns me if it's a suspected scam call so I don't pick those up either. They all get blocked and deleted.

They can use voice and they can also use you face on video calls. A family I know have a code word that no one else will ever know. So if ‘your son’ phones and says “hi mum it’s me, I’ve lost my phone and wallet so I’m using my friends phone. Can you send money please”. You then ask the code word.

If I pick up the phone to an unknown number, I stay silent. Often it just clicks off...a scam. But sometimes I get a very hesitant voice asking for me. Usually the hosp or GP and I can just say I didn't recognise the number so I don't answer.

A while back people were worrying that their voices would be used in the future for scams and they were pooh poohed. But that is actually happening now. So thats why I say nothing.
And I wasmone who would havempooh poohed until I heard a radio 4 programme recently about new scamming tehniques. Very frightening. Where is this world going?

Yes, you can set up your phone to screen calls so that anyone who isn’t in your contacts goes straight to voicemail. If it’s a genuine caller they leave a message and you can choose whether to phone them back. 9 times out of 10 they don’t leave a message. Your phone notifies that you have had a call. The only problem is if you’re waiting for a call from a number not in your contacts, eg a hospital appt because they don’t tend to leave messages.

MawsRosie

If you don’t recognise the number - don’t pick up.
My mobile will usually flag up suspected cold calls and I just block the number without answering.

Good advice for all of you that can actuallly remember phone numbers, or have everyone you know named in your own telephone's directory.

I cannot recognise anyone's number, so I frequently answer a scammer.

To anyone who does the same: simply disconnect the call, write down the number, then block it.

My phone just doesn't put scam calls through. It's only if I look at my call log I can see that I've had calls but my phone doesn't ring.

If it's a UK number, my phone tells me where a call is coming from, which is a help in being quite sure that I am not going to answer it. If anyone wants me, they can leave a message.

If you don’t recognise the number - don’t pick up.
My mobile will usually flag up suspected cold calls and I just block the number without answering.