Where Do They Get Your Number From

[emmie]

i have two back to back calls from someone who i didn't know asking me about
a car accident i have been involved in, i haven't by the way. where on earth do they get the numbers, this was on my mobile

[emmie]

i didn't hang on the phone, just another nuisance call i suppose.

[Buenchico]

Their computer probably simply guesses at numbers and keeps trying them all. (If your mobile number is registered with TPS then a law-abiding company should check against the TPS list before making the call and see that they're not permitted to do so. However not all companies comply with the law!)

[EDDIE51]

They have a computer system that generates random numbers that fit the pattern for a mobile phone number ,start with 07 and have 11 digits, then the system dials the numbers to see if any answer.If they get an answer an operator takes the call and tries to sell you want ever they deal in. Usually ppi reclaim, accident compensation or another dodgy deal!

[emmie]

thought it was something like that, very few people have my mobile number so it was a surprise to get these two calls back to back.

[RandyMarsh]

I work for a firm that does a lot of business on the phone and we constantly get people asking for call backs and not answering, drives me up the bloody wall.

[emmie]

is there a TPS for mobiles as well as landlines.....

[EcclesCake]

Computer programmes are set up to find viable telephone numbers for the country of origine, it has nothing to do with you providing you at number.

TPS does not apply to and callers outside of the UK. And there are plenty of snide means to show a UK number that actually comes Faroe outside the U.K.

[atalanta]

I love it when I get these calls. They go like this
" . . . about your recent car accident . . "
" Oh, yes , it cost me a few hundred pounds and my insurance company told me it wasn't worth claiming. Do you think you can get some of that money back for me ?"
"Oh, yes, I'm sure we can. Give me a few details."
"You are going to have to sue a dead pheasant . . . "
Loud crash as telephone the other end is smacked down.

[RobNorth]

A lot of firms sell these details in large bundles - including insurance companies....as a customer, I don't give out my number, if they want to contact me they write.

[Toorak]

Your number will have been generated randomly - ignore it

[emmie]

i have registered with TPS for my mobile, so hopefully wont be getting any more of these calls, one can hope.

[mikey4444]

Emmie....there are number-dialling machines out there, that simply call 10,000's of numbers and then, when someone answers, they are connected to a call centre worker.

Its just scam Unless you recognise the number, don't answer it and let it go to voice mail.

[emmie]

i will

[twix123]

I've been using a free App called "Truecaller" on my mobile phones for quite a few years now and no longer get scam calls from known nuisance numbers. You can also block any unwanted calls that should get through that haven't been added to the Truecaller database, which also assists other users of the app.

[mikey4444]

Eccles....the TPS is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.