The Zohan

In the same way you can UK call centres

I keep being pesterd by an offshore call centre - 6 calls in 6 days!

Call centres offering loans as a follow up to an enquiry - Never made an enquiry!

I have tried being nice, tried leaving the phone pointed at the telly, tried being nasty and each time asked to be removed from their database.

What else can i do?

douglasb

I think the short answer is "not much". Assuming you have an answering machine you could leave it on and use it to screen calls; they'll hang up as soon as they hear the answering machine. If you dial 1471 some time after the call and get the message "You were called today at xx.xx. We do not have the caller's number", it sounds like it was an offshore call centre.

Obviously that's not pracitcal if you need the phone for work purposes.

I once answered one of these calls and interrupted the sales spiel with "I'm registered with the telephone Preference Service." Her reply was "But I'm calling from Dubai. The Telephone Preference Service doesn't apply here." My response was "Fair enough. But it should give you an idea of my attitude to unsolicited sales calls. You're wasting my time and yours." She hung up!

Curse of the Rushing Gimp

Norwich Union insurance are a fecking nightmare. Talking to a foreigner about my policy is like talking to a deaf person. They just don't understand you. I hang up when i hear that punjabi voice. However I had to hang up about 30 times before i got an englishman who knew what a blitz exhaust was.

The Zohan

I recon it was from Dubai, interesting you mention this.

The first five calls sounded like a female indian voice, the last one was deffo a female Pilipino as i recognised the musical lilt to the voice, having lived and worked out there for 8 months!

douglasb

My "woman from Dubai" sounded South African.

She wasn't selling loans, but was selling share recommendations. With the recent publicity about offshore companies who take some money, show a good profit, and then suggest that you invest large amounts then promptly disappear, I was surprised I was so polite...

BULLITT

Yes you can do something, these call centres are usually hired by British companies or BT are selling your number on to these companies, which happens more than think!
If you add your number to TPS (Telephone Preferrence Service) it should stop it over night. If it doesn't make sure you get the companies name before telling the caller your TPS registered. They will hang up instantly. Report them to TPS and they get a hefty fine.

Although in this instance I don't think theres anything you can do as its usuallya scam.

magepaster

iTrader: (2)

Yep, TPS works. Not had a single cold call after registering with TPS
I also registered with MPS(Mail Preference Service) and not had a single advertisement or brochure delivered.(only works with addressed Mail)

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

I roll out the 12v dixie air horns at tea time






Cant hear anyone on the other end of the phone after those babies go off...in fact cant hear anything