Call Blocking

[Goofy]

Which is the best way of blocking al these nuisance calls?
BT has a phone that's meant to do something clever, but there are other gadgets around. All advice greatfully appreciated.

[KARL]

One can register with the Telephone Preference Service which does reduce the frequency of nuisance calls - but it does not stop them. In particular, calls originating abroad are not directly subject to this system which, I suspect, is one of these voluntary/self regulation set-ups. Also, there are some call centres in the UK which simply take no notice of the TPS. Finally, the recorded message types are increasing and I wonder if they are perhaps a deliberate trend to circumvent any detection by those trying to keep on top of the situation. I doubt if there is any equipment available to deal with this sort of thing unless it is simply not to re-act to caller numbers which are entered by the owner of the equipment/line. But then one would have to take the first call and after that blacklist the number concerned - withheld numbers would have to be ignored across the board, including those which one might actually want to take calls from.

[quizbag]

I had to change my phone number last year and have had hardly any nuisance calls since. I now never give my home number on forms etc just my mobile which is hardly ever switched on.

[boxtops]

We joined the Call Prevention Service, we've been with them five years now. Yes you have to pay (about £45 p.a.) but it's a much more effective service that TPS - we hardly get any unwanted calls now, and if we do, we advise CPS and they contact the callers with a stiff warning not to do it again.

[Goofy]

Beenn on TPS for years - but it doesn't do much good.
I don't really want to change my number, but it's tempting!
Could you please give me more info about the Call Prevention Service boxtps - alink would be hadny

[boxtops]

sorry goofy - Call Prevention Registry (not service) http://www.callpreventionregistry.co.uk/index.html

[Prudie]

I also hardly ever get any nuisance or cold calls and haven't subscribed to any service. I think it's because I've always been ex-directory - and agree with never putting my home phone number on forms.

[boxtops]

we're XD too prudie - but some companies clearly get hold of our numbers due to our having given it legitimately for other reasons.