Phone that blocks withheld numbers

[koster]

I have just moved in and the BT line has been active less than a week, but I'm already getting plenty of unsolicited cold calls. I've signed up for the telephone preference service but it takes 28 days for this to take effect.

I phoned up BT to ask them to block calls from withheld numbers (the bank etc. can call me on my mobile). I assumed they would do this for free, but it costs �12/quarter. Can I do the same thing by buying the right phone, i.e. is there a phone with caller display etc. that you can configure to stay silent when there's a withheld number call?

[Ethel]

Not as far as I know, but I agree it is a real nuisance.

Caller display is �1 a month (I think) and you could record a message on your answer phone to the effect that number with held calls are not answered and unsolicited business calls are not welcome.

By the time your caller has listened to that you will have had time to read the caller display and decide whether or not to pick up.

I am aware of several companies (primarily double glazing) that use a phone number to make their cold calls to get around the blocked call, but if you try to call that number you just get a message to say the phone is never answered. GRRRR!

[koster]

You can now get caller display for free from BT. Sign up at http://www.bt.com/btprivacy or on 0800 800 150. If you were paying for it before, by signing up you won't be charged for it anymore.

There is another thread on Answerbank where someone in America says there is a switch gadget which you can plug in to filter out the withheld numbers. Unfortunately there's no indication of what it's called or where you can it.

[JustSia]

I am with TalkTalk I think they do it cheaper. You should check them out anyhow, much better deal than BT.

S.

[JustSia]

Oooo, just realised did you ask for your number to be blacklisted, ie not included in the directories and such, it might help?

S.

[koster]

When you say "I think TalkTalk do it cheaper" I assume you mean line rental. Well BT line rental is half price (�5.50/month, or �8.25 including weekend and evening calls) for the first 6 months and TalkTalk is �10.49/month including weekend and evening calls. So after 6 months I'll change to TalkTalk.

Yes I did ask for my number to be in the phone book, which was probably a mistake. Too late now.

[Hermia]

You need to be a bit careful of those gadgets that block withheld numbers or numbers that are not on an approved list. My mum works in a doctor's surgery and they have problems trying to 'phone patients who have these gadgets. They have even been unable to contact relatives to tell them their loved one has been taken ill. A lot of businesses have organisations have phones that withhold numbers and obviously good organisations get blocked as well as bad.

The TPS is very good so maybe you could just grit your teeth until the 28 days are up. I only get the occasional call since signing up with them & as soon as I tell the caller I'm with the TPS they hang up!

[Ethel]

With held numbers can easily be made visible by tapping in a code, so any organisation should be able to contact you if necessary, including the doctors' surgery.

[koster]

Hermia has a good point about reputable organisations withholding their numbers. If anyone wants to call me in an emergency they can call my mobile. The landline number exists so I can have braodband and so friends and relatives can call me at cheaper rates than calling my mobile. Companies and organisations can call me on the mobile.

Ethel, if you block withheld numbers through BT then the caller gets a message to tell them so - they can then dial the code to not withhold the number and then call again. If you block withheld numbers with a gadget the caller might just hear a ringing tone and not know the reason.