GlesgaKiss

Does anyone else ignore them completely, or is it just me? Apart from the usual call centres etc, it seems to be common practice with a bank I deal with quite a lot. Makes it a bit of a pain, because my practice is not to answer these calls.

Miniman

iTrader: (2)

A UK call centre using a dialer should now put a CLI on the call (so no withheld numbers). Otherwise they can get a ticking off from Ofcom. Not sure how that would work with call centre's outside the UK (outsourced to say India), but I'm sure a UK business using a call centre abroad would not want to damage their reputation by ignoring these rules.

Of course the calls may not be from dialers and may be manually dialed, I don't know if there is any rules on these.

I would say that these days that withheld numbers are likely not to be from call centre's. Possibly friends who don't want their numbers known, or smaller businesses that dial manually. So possibly you would want to answer them these days.

If you don't want the marketing type calls, sign up to TPS.

Jamz3k

If its Withheld i do not answer it. If its not withheld i do not answer it. If its not withheld and its a number stored in my phone, i still do not answer it.....if its the missus ringing, i throw the phone away in a blind panic.

urban

iTrader: (1)

I generally don't answer withheld numbers.

Customers do this all the time when calling my phone.

StickyMicky

On mobile = ignore them 100% of the time.

Only ever had one of them leave a message, and it was the slimy bank manager offering me a business loan

GlesgaKiss

So it seems so far that most people don't answer them. I had a lot of hastle a few years ago with people phoning me saying they were going to kill me etc, hence why I'm not too keen on answering them.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Thats what I do (when the mood suits)

urban

iTrader: (1)

I usually find that voice mail puts most people off
Those that actually leave a message deserve a call back - assuming you've got their number of course

Jerome

I only answer non-withheld when it suits me.

Withheld numbers (or numbers not in my phone) never get answered. If they don't leave a message, it obviously wasn't important enough for me to bother with.

I always listen to voicemails as soon as I can. So, if it is someone I want to talk to, they will get a return call almost straight away.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

True, seem to come through to me as 0800 nrs. I always answer as you can have some fun with them ie drag out the call so they've got less time to make a sale!

TX.

Snazy

I use number cop which filters out known cold caller numbers
Then texts you to say this number tried to call.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

If they are working for UK based businesses, most if not all use VOIP between India and here and the calls are then delivered via a switch attached to the UK PSTN so will have a CLI.



PS My number one withheld caller is my wife as we have blocked CLI at home

Miniman

iTrader: (2)

Not all outbound trunks off a PBX need to have the same, or any, CLI on a modern PBX/dialer. So just because it comes from a PBX that gives CLI to local generated calls, doesn't mean that the call centre calls (via the internal Voip network breaking out on the same PBX) will give CLI.

However what I meant is - do Ofcom class a call generated oversea's but breaking out in the UK a UK call? I suspect so, but don't know for sure. Therefore it wouldn't matter where the call centre is based, if they are working on behalf of a UK business then they would be subject to this requirement.

Jerome

Can't believe I forgot to mention the Telephone Preference Service.

It won't stop all unwanted calls, but my phone certainly rings a lot less since registering.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

When you said you were not sure how that would work - I, perhaps wrongly, assumed that you meant from a technical perspective. My point was that an Indian call can easily be delivered with a UK CLI. And most Indian calls break out into the UK pstn via VOIP and so technically an easy thing.

From a regulatory perspective I think you are right - if it is a call for a UK company on UK business then it should comply.

dpb

Always ignore , sometimes its been my folks from abroad tho

or worse some customer with a privacy issue

cster

It's the answer phone for them!

Scooby Soon!

hospitals are normally withheld numbers

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

All outbound calls from my mobile / landline are CLI barred. If I want someone to have my number I will offer it to them in person. All about protecting my personal data.

hodgy0_2

I always answer

(it could be that spanish lottery, that i didn't enter, calling to tell me I have won)