Silent phone calls

[Alan H]

I've been getting a lot of phone calls recently which when answered are completely silent. Each call seems to come from a different number. Anybody know what they are trying to achieve?

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Possibly an automated system awaiting a voice response from you before forwarding the call to an operative.

[Peter Christy]

Its either a scam or marketing call. The call centres have an auto-dial system that dials random numbers, but not enough staff to pick them up when they are answered.

Since nearly all originate outside the UK (whatever the number says!), there's not a lot you can do about it.

--

Pete

[Julian Murch]

We use our answering machine if we do not recognise the number dialling us we let it kick in. Most calls disappear before the answering message ends.

[MaxG]

We bought a new phone recently with call blocking features and it has been very successful and we haven't had any nuisance calls since. we programmed the phone book to allow our usual contacts through. We haven't recognised any of the numbers that have been blocked.

Maxg

[Frank Skilbeck]

Yep, get a call blocking phone, only numbers on your list get through, others have to announce who they are, the phone then announces that, and you decide to pick up or not. You can then either add the number to your safe caller list or block.

[ken anderson.]

automated call to your number.....there's a lad in Nigeria been trying to give millions away for years..

ken Anderson...ne..1..Nigerian dept.

[Alan H]

Thanks everyone for the responses to my question

[i12fly]

I agree with MaxG and Frank S above. We have a call blocker. It is spot on, our friends and relatives are in the address list and get straight through, anyone else has to announce who they are, that is announced to you when picking up the phone and you decide whether to accept or not, or to block. If people don't announce who they are the call is not put through to you but you get a small beep, so if you want you can always check the number.

Receiving a nuisance call is is very very rare as they don't want to wait while you decide whether to answer or not. It may be a bit of inconvenient to genuine callers but we haven't had anyone complain..... yet!

[Peter Miller]

I have found that if you pick up the phone and there is silence just hold pon for a moment or two and it goes to the dialling tone because they are voice activated.

If you hear a faint noise you can make a remark and see who called. If it is a scammer or someone trying flog something a short sharp comment to them and hang up.

[Brian Cooper]

Silent call: Hang up.

Then pick up the phone and dial 1572.... option 1. . The previous (annoying) caller will then be blocked.