Recently I have had silent calls from various numbers that 1471 says are using my local area code (01293) . How do they do this, why is telecoms still so crap that this is possible?
How do they do this
By making the calls from within your local dialling code area?
They're in the phone box down the road, watching you make tea.
Its not crap though is it. BT have they ability to track every single call, location and duration, but choose not to act on things like this. Because they make money from every call. Is that right- (though clearly wrong) or is there a telcoms thing i don't understand?
You can get apps that let you choose what number shows up on the other persons phone. Such as the one on the back of your bank card.
You can get apps that let you choose what number shows up on the other persons phone. Such as the one on the back of your bank card.
Why would you want the number on your bank card to appear on someone else’s phone?
That’s just asking for trouble.
Well crap by BT to allow it to happen.
Why would you want the number on your bank card to appear on someone else’s phone?
That’s just asking for trouble.
🙂
Just wait until they call you with the caller ID set as your number. I had this demonstrated to me a few years bacl, so I imagaine the diallers can still do this.
Just wait until they call you with the caller ID set as your number. I had this demonstrated to me a few years bacl, so I imagaine the diallers can still do this.
I had something similar shown to me a few years ago, but the nuisance calls like this seem to have dropped off so I am hoping that it is a thing of the past.
OP - I bought an answerphone that will only ring when dialled by known numbers (i.e. stored on the phone). Any other callers are played an automated message asking them to press a number (default 5) before being put through, if they press the right number the phone starts to ring in the normal way. The fake/sales calls were happening up to 10 times a day, but are almost non existent now (some two years later).
they call you with the caller ID set as your number
To me, that would be a 100% positive sign that it's a scammer.
Nothing to add other than surprise that 1471 is still a thing.
Don't think that I've heard of or thought of that number since the mid 1990's.
Do you really need a landline? I've not had one since about 2005 and have therefore never suffered from these type of calls. It is much easier to filter them on a mobile.
I was going to say the same. Pull the landline out of the wall. Why have 2 numbers To get hold of you to keep checking and with WhatsApp calling etc no one runs out of call minutes anymore.
Buy an answering machine if ont he home phone. they'll dry up when all they get is an automated message.
At first I answered the calls and told the scammer or whomever please dont phone again, that didnt work. Then I moved to being abusive to them, which also didn't work, in fact I think it increased regularity, i then tried block last number which also didn't work as it appears they have an unlimited supply. I started just letting it go to answer machine and the calls have about stopped. Seems they dont like that.
Historically, the systems used for telephone numbering (of whatever type) had no security as such built in. The platforms were really just built to route calls to a destination and get the billing done. Later, additional services were layered on top that allowed the ability to abstract numbers behind other numbers too.
Unfortunately, much of what goes on in telecoms, even to the present day, relies on operators signing contracts saying they'll abide by certain rules. Critically- these aren't policed, but rely on said agreements being honoured, and on complaint handling unearthing rogue operators.
Things have got even more difficult in recent times with new tech used to deliver trunked calls becoming cheaper, using off the shelf components, and being able to use the internet for delivery. Almost anyone can become an operator.
Result- some ops will sell packages to businesses who are, quite definitely, going to use those to spam- and a great way to get people to pick up a phone is to use the geo dialling code for the area they're targeting.
Massive oversimplification alert for the above. If you're interested in further reading, I can point you to some resources on this.
(Source: I'm a former PBX and core voice switch engineer)
I was going to say the same. Pull the landline out of the wall.
That would make it very difficult to use my Wi-fi, along with my computer, also my Sky box requires a connection to a landline for a bunch of different functions.
I don’t think any of those things will run from my mobile.
I’m not sure how I could connect my computer to the internet without a landline anyway.
I’m not sure how I could connect my computer to the internet without a landline anyway.
I'm doing that just now - laptop connecting via bluetooth to my mobile and using 4G - which until we got fibre-to-property - was 10 times faster than our landline broadband
You can use all your wifi and TV - just unplug the phone if you don't use it for calls and it won't ring.
Faking a public CLI phone number is nominally less difficult than faking a From: email address, which is not much.
I’m not sure how I could connect my computer to the internet without a landline anyway.
DSL requires a landline. It doesn't require a phone plugged into it.
my Sky box requires a connection to a landline for a bunch of different functions.
No it doesn't.
I have a very simple policy of NEVER answering the phone unless it's from a number that I recognize (or at least the phone converts the number into a recognizable contact).
Edit to add: even if the number/contact is recognized, I don't usually answer unless it's someone I actually want to talk to (the caller go to voicemail otherwise).
I've successfully avoided talking to my dentist's office about checkups for many years and saved myself a fortune...my teeth ain't great though 🙁
That would make it very difficult to use my Wi-fi, along with my computer, also my Sky box requires a connection to a landline for a bunch of different functions.
I don’t think any of those things will run from my mobile.
I’m not sure how I could connect my computer to the internet without a landline anyway.
Sorry - I mistyped. I meant no need for a landline phone. Use a BT/talktalk etc to provide your broadband but just don't bother plugging a phone in even if phone calls are bundled in for free. Just no need in 2020. Why would you want two numbers to access you and to have to monitor.
The only people who I'd have thought need a landline phone these days are folk with PAYG mobiles (or I guess no mobile phone).
When we moved in here a few months ago the broadband was so poor at circa 4-5mbps that I got a 4G router and an EE unlimited data mobile phone sim card and sacked off the whole landline completely and now have 40-50Mbps which is not great by city dweller standards but it way better than anyone around here gets through a phone line.
