A BT line is needed for this - but it allows you to block all unwanted calls, even when they spoof/change their numbers, FREE OF CHARGE. You choose the numbers, or types of numbers, you want to block.
BT Call Protect helps to prevent unwanted nuisance calls. By managing your settings, you can decide which calls you want to send to a junk voicemail.
Customers with this service can send calls to their junk voicemail by setting the preferences below:
BT Blacklist - We've identified a list of nuisance callers. Calls from these numbers will be sent to your junk voicemail. Our blacklist will significantly cut the amount of unwanted calls you get. We’ll turn it on by default when you get BT Call Protect
Personal Blacklist - You can add the last call you answered from your home phone, or any other phone number at bt.com/btcallprotect > to your own blacklist. This means that any future calls from those numbers also go to your junk voicemail. This feature will also be automatically switched on, but won’t have any numbers until you add some
Individual Call Types - You can choose to send all calls from certain categories to your junk voicemail. The three call types are:
✓ International numbers
✓ Withheld numbers
✓ Unrecognised numbers (shown as 'unavailable' on caller display or on 1471)
If you don't already have BT Call Protect you can order it online at: https://www.bt.com/products/manage-phone/#change-your-calling-features >
Once you've got it, you can manage all your settings online via http://www.bt.com/BTCallProtect > or from your home phone by dialling 1572, which is free.
Top comments
Newbold
16 Jan 1738#4
Actually, no. The service is free.
Python5
16 Jan 1726#2
you certainly pay for it with the price bt charge lol
brendanhickey
16 Jan 1719#3
if ur on android the should I answer app does it this too. it's one of the best apps out there
Aeschylus to robot1000
16 Jan 1717#12
Ooo can I block people I know, like the mother in law?
Latest comments (325)
pet2000
27 Jul 17#325
Has anyone actually managed to add a numer to their blacklist? I've tried many times, different browsers, site just gets stuck and no numbers added. Very frustrating. (They do want me to sign up for a different pay service, I wonder if this free service is just a scam by BT?)
Andrews123
9 Jul 17#324
Interesting. Worth a go
Dudley27
26 Apr 17#323
Great, thanks
jordanc93
26 Apr 17#322
Hope this helps can be ordered in calling features section on account waiting for mine to activate. I believe with BT one you can manage it online but Plusnet Call Protect you have to manage your settings for it through the phone via 1572.
Dudley27
26 Apr 17#321
Is anyone with Plusnet who could confirm logging into their account the option is there? A screenshot maybe
JDPower
16 Apr 17#320
Proveright
16 Apr 17#319
Re 315. Does not matter whether it is landline or internet. BT sucker people in with so called free or sale offers, then later put the price up . If you have a fault then you speak to a script kiddy in India. BT have paid over the odds for the football so has to get their money back.
Their Accounts dept has never heard of customer service .
BT open reach look after the line as a separate company so it does not matter which provider you are with , other than BT will over all be more expensive, so it is worth looking at any other provider who will undoubtedly be cheaper and offer better service.
waterloo
16 Apr 17#318
Dont know ?
agaliarept
16 Apr 17#317
why do you have a phone plugged in to the socket at all?
waterloo
16 Apr 17#316
I just put the ringer on silent if anybody needs to call me i have a mobile only reason i have the stupid landline is for broadband. Line rental is a broadband charge nothing else for me .
agaliarept
16 Apr 17#315
what has BT Internet got to do with this BT landline service?
agaliarept
16 Apr 17#314
BT only
Proveright
16 Apr 17#313
See my post was deleted by the censor police.
Let's try this , BT are the most wonderful company in the world and you should sell all your possessions and give your money to them.
They won't increase your bills , they won't use software to slow you down every Month, and they won't be fined by the Obudsman for failing to keep proper accounts or provide the speeds you are entitled to.
agaliarept
16 Apr 17#312
have been using since this service was launched. spam calls dropped from 2 a day to 1 a week! really works.
kooks65
16 Apr 171#311
This is happening to us at the moment, the group who ring to say you are having trouble with you bt router and want to take over your computer to fix it keep calling but with a different number each time I'm having to screen my calls and let them go to answerphone first, I'd unplug the phone as we hardly use it but we both have elderly Mothers so don't like to.
firstofficer
15 Apr 17#310
Do you have to be a BT client to use this?
I'm with Vodafone and get loads of spam on my mobile..
bargainhunter666
15 Apr 17#309
have they increased the fee yet - they will at some point.....
billy.bronco
14 Apr 17#308
yes but what can i do about it ?
Newbold
14 Apr 17#307
Fake TalkTalk calls?
billy.bronco
14 Apr 17#306
can you this to block certain type of numbers or one number at a time ?.i keep geting 020 number everyday more or less, evrytime i block that number they would ring again but usinga different 020 number..its getting ridiculous...told them to remove me but keeo getting calls...bloody annoying
flipperni
14 Apr 17#305
Cannot praise this service enough. I was tortured with scams, PPI etc. Down to nearly none now. 10 out of 10. Hope they dont start charging for it.
fishmaster
18 Mar 17#304
Caller Display is inherently insecure and numbers can be spoofed. I have a CPR call blocker and it's entirely useless at blocking spoofed numbers. The caller display system needs a serious security update, and is an example of poor design.
RamiresJ
17 Mar 17#303
Can I block some people I don't like?
T11PES
16 Mar 17#302
The BT Call Protect website actually allows you to block specific numbers which appear as concealed on the phone.
daveandvera
9 Mar 17#301
Waste of time unless the number is revealed ,when you ring 1572 99% of the nuisance numbers are concealed and when it says would you like to add the last number received to blacklist press 1 now,EVERY time it says UNABLE to do so that's awful considering BT is a Telecoms giant!!
daveandvera
20 Feb 17#300
I got this it only works if the number is identifiable, ok not very clear, some crap call rings ands says PPI or something so the idea is you you put phone down and press 1572
Now it says to block last call received press 1 so you do
HOWEVER it always says we cannot blacklist this call as we could not identify the callers number WTF!
If BT can't what chance have I???
saffron5
9 Feb 17#299
The BT link takes you to the registration but only let's you sign up if you have them as a service provider
gemmakindle92
6 Feb 17#298
Agreed
johnlewis
29 Jan 171#297
Pretty sure BT are the reason you get nuisance calls anyway! They start from activation time. Not had the same with any other provider. That and they are the worst comma company I've ever had the displeasure to use. Just go with someone else and bin BT. They just abuse customers then do an ad campaign to get more. Every January.
Niz
28 Jan 17#296
A line is still required to supply broadband down it. Even if you don't use a phone where are you going to plug in your router if you don't have a line? so you still need it, the phone is just be it for engineering sake.
ConsOp
28 Jan 17#295
I can not be bothered to read all 8 pages of comments - all I can say is that I signed up, it was free, and since using it the number of nuisance calls I have received has dropped from 5 or 6 a day to maybe 1 or 2 a week. As far as I am concerned this is a result! :smiley:
bigdeal66
28 Jan 17#294
:smile:
Helgrr
27 Jan 17#293
Ooh my first HUKD stalker, Hi there :P
Newbold
27 Jan 17#292
Read the thread. Check with BT. It won't.
simonspursfm
27 Jan 17#291
what a scam ' a new 12 month contract will apply'
ReflexReact
26 Jan 17#290
Worth mentioning anyone with an iPhone and the latest iOS version can install an app like "Hiya" or "Truecaller" which integrates with the OS and warns you of a spam or dodgy phone number when it's ringing. I only learnt about this the other day and it's fantastic - never again will you have to put up with cold calling or dodgy companies/"offshore" call centres.
arfster
26 Jan 17#289
That's my experience also - I've literally only had one single spamcaller announce themself.
The rest I presume are using robodiallers, which just get stuck at the announce stage. Every so often I look at the call list and find lots of numbers, but the phone never rang. Perfect.
GadgetHunter
26 Jan 17#288
I had the same problem as I don't want to block all numbers where the number is withheld or not known as many legitimate switchboards do this.
If someone calls that isn't in your phone book then the phone itself answers the call and asks them to identify themselves and press a button. Only once they have done that does your phone actually ring. When you answer you hear who is calling and decide whether to take the call. When I got it I wondered if any scam callers or telephone marketing companies would actually announce themselves. In practice they do not - and the system effectively blocks 100% of unwanted calls and allows through the calls I want. It really has been a worth while purchase.
rosycheeks
24 Jan 171#287
Your pathetic theory is equivalent to aliens are gunna take over the planet!
bigdeal66
24 Jan 17#286
Chill out and get one of your super deal tea bags out and refresh :smile:
Helgrr
23 Jan 17#285
Wow some whiny people in here, stop moaning about things that are nothing whatsoever to do with the post and either give the guy heat for posting it or move on. It's called hot deals not 'ooh here's an opportunity to vent my rage at BT'.
Greeble69
23 Jan 17#284
Thanks for giving my theory a bit more air time! So which is it, do you or a family member work for BT or have shares with them?
Greeble69
23 Jan 17#283
Although the calls are annoying, we do wind callers up- my husband is an IT manager and has managed to string Microsoft scammers for a considerable amount of time. Samuel L Jackson soundboard is another good one to use. I have a six month old so have an array of toys to use including Ewan the dream sheep and Jungle Gym sounds that I can play down the phone. Once all I needed to do was keep repeating "Hello, hello, is anyone there?" several times in order to be told to fcuk off.
bbbking
23 Jan 17#282
yes i did read the post, remember bt 1571 used to be a totally free addon and so was caller display !! so it's free at the moment but in time it will go the same way.
Newbold
23 Jan 17#281
I found TPS to work pretty well until the flood of overseas calls - which it can't block. The TalkTalk data hack was partly responsible, and I'm pretty sure that Carphone Warehouse 'leaked' data too.
This deals with the calls that TPS can't stop, so it's a no brainer if you're a BT customer - not worth moving to BT for, though. I'm sure all the other companies will bring it in soon enough.
jetskizzz
23 Jan 17#280
I used TPS and 98% of these annoying calls stopped. One or two slip through now and again, but much more tolerable. IMHO this is a better free service and you are not tied to any supplier.
gummby
23 Jan 17#279
In theory great but I am informed it does not apply to foreign callers. Although I personally barely get any unwanted calls. Although I know some people who get 3-4 calls a day and they did sign up to this. Which makes me think certain peope's details have been sold on to these people trying to scam people.
The danger of blocking all calls from abroad or other sources is you might actually miss a call that was actually mean't for you.The other risk here is some companies are able to make it appear they are calling from a number that is not theirs. So it may appear as number X but really they may be calling from abroad on number Y.
The other trick they may also do is to play a dialing tone down the line to make you think they have hung up. In the hope you will dial your bank or another source and think they are it. Always use a different number or call a friend before being spooked into calling your bank.
The reality is over the phone you can never truly know who you are talking to. Chances are the person calling you will have no idea either. So the worst thing you can do is give them your name. At times it's better to just say hello or your number. Then let them guess who you are.
Newbold
22 Jan 17#278
It was a game I really used to enjoy too - until one of them 'reminded' me what he could do. :confused:
arfster
22 Jan 17#277
Hrrm, that's actually a really good point :-( Oh well, guess I'll stop doing that.
Newbold
22 Jan 17#276
A great game to play - one slight downside though is that they do have your phone number, and possibly your address too. There's a potential there for quite a lot of damage if someone's so minded.
arfster
22 Jan 17#275
Best way is to waste their time, then at the end tell them you were wasting their time. You'll get some abuse, but pretty satisfying.
arfster
22 Jan 17#274
That's easily spotted by BT though at the network level, which is what I presume this is doing.
Also, international numbers with fake UK numbers actually are identified as international in caller ID, if your phone has the facility to show it. Mine just sends all internationals to the answering machine, and it works even with spoofed UK numbers.
flloydee2
22 Jan 17#273
what if your doctor calls, they
block the number, and nothing in life is free, even if there is an odd one dodging paying by one means or another, the rest of us will pick the tab up, "well done"
MrPuddington
22 Jan 17#272
Exactly my experience, and that's why I am no longer with BT.
Retrovertigo
22 Jan 17#271
Great service for free. But for me the BT8500 phones with call guardian are still the best way to block nuisance calls. Not had a single one since I got the phone a couple of years ago.
jdolliver77
21 Jan 17#270
Can you direct me to where this is in there terms and conditions? As far as I can see there is no mention of this as long as I have my privacy settings as I do. So I'd be interested to see where it states this.
Redb1rd
21 Jan 17#269
Just a heads up to check your services once you've requested Call Protect, as it removed my Caller ID service. I've contacted BT to ask why and was told that its a fault in the system and they've reinstated my Caller ID ... along with thanking me for agreeing to a new 12 month contract!
To be clear: the "new 12 month contract" is for the Caller ID NOT Call Protect - and I'm going to argue this one out with them!!
JDPower
21 Jan 17#268
Get a room you two :smirk:
Newbold
21 Jan 171#267
Might we perhaps have some sources for your own statements and opinions, since you're so clearly upset? Really - go and have a lie down. You might feel better soon. I'll leave you to it. :confused:
Newbold
21 Jan 17#266
An intriguing little rant - and from such an asset to HUKD after his 3 deals posted in nearly 6 years of illustrious membership. What's a reverse-campaign, by the way, and what are the 'bullyboy tactics'? :neutral_face: Where's the fake info? What's the 'same formula'? And as for changing ISPs, the clue's in what I said - price increases, contracts and cashback! Companies that increase prices mid-term deserve what they get.
Have you considered a little lie down? :wink:
Newbold
21 Jan 17#265
Nothing new about BT price increases - or the way all the others will just follow them up. If you're going to pay more, though, you might as well get something useful like this out of them without an additional charge.
Personally, I'm delighted BT are pushing their prices up, and so will a lot of others be - it's a convenient opportunity to end contracts and move elsewhere, with a load of cashback as a nice little bonus. :laughing:
jocksteeluk
21 Jan 17#264
Here you go folks, I told you all would be paying for this "new free Service"
just installed thanks as it's more of a mobile phone problem than landline for me - thanks op. :-)
michaeladamson89
21 Jan 17#262
Truecaller puts not just your name and number but those of all your contacts on a public list that companies use. Sure your calls will be blocked but you will get them more frequently and have now given plenty of numbers to a huge database of nuisance callers. Read into what you install before you install it.
tubster76
21 Jan 171#261
Am I the only one who actually quite enjoys lecturing scammers claiming to be from microsoft/talk talk etc on the ethics of preying on vulnerable people. Sometimes they get quite shirty. My mum used to have a whistle that she would blow suddenly down the phone, which she said was painful for the scammer (heaven knows what the neighbours made of it)
rosycheeks
21 Jan 17#260
WEIRDO
dribspak
21 Jan 17#259
but this would only interest people who already have a BT line and comes free as stated. surely no one would see this deal and then call BT to have a phone installed and pay a monthly line rental just for this 'free' service.
I think this should be in the free section too. Its more of an information share than a deal to me
Hi! that's actually what I needed to know as I have a Samsung S6. I will keep an eye out! Thx x
pop5
19 Jan 17#255
Thank you
a_user
19 Jan 17#254
Virgin charge over the odds as well, they all do. They're all milking it while they can. I only have a Virgin phone line as it's effectively free (or put another way, the same price for broadband whether you have the phone or not).
a_user
19 Jan 17#253
The TPS is good but doesn't stop offshore companies from calling, they don't care because they can't be touched by any UK authorities.
PKRichie
19 Jan 17#252
BT line rental = £18.99
(your provider) Virgin Media = £19.00
Yes deals exist with bundles and such but for line rental, which this offer is for, BT are not the most expensive (for once) and Sky are increasing their line rental in March
izekial27
19 Jan 17#251
You are able to register your telephone number with the telephone preference service (TPS) which will remove your telephone number from ALL companies dialling lists. Once registered (which is free) it becomes unlawful for ANY company to make unsolicited calls to you. I registered my nmber many years ago and I never receive any unsolicited calls on it. It surprises me how many people that do not realise that TPS exists. TPS is the official way to de-list your telephone number from unsolicited calls, completely recognised and enforced by law. You can register your landline telephone number with them online at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/mobile/index.html or you can register your mobile number with them by sending a free message to 85095 that states. "TPS" and your email address.
a_user
19 Jan 17#250
It's only free in that BT already charge over the odds, so although you're not paying anything in addition to the bill you had before, you're already paying through the nose for it. BT, as it has existed for the last however many decades will cease to exist within 10 years, so it's no wonder they moved into Pay-TV and then bought the EE mobile network. They are milking as much as they possibly can out of landlines while they still can, and using that money to invest in a future that will not include landlines at all.
My landline is with Virgin, and the only reason I have it is because it's not any cheaper not to have it. I only need broadband from Virgin and would happily do without a landline completely. We actually have a FREE local area telephone number from a company called Sipgate which works like a pay-as-you go mobile deal, we top it up with about £10 every 18 months, we plug a normal telephone into a small box that then plugs into our broadband router. No line rental at all, and we only really use it to call the sister-in-law in New Zealand (at rates way cheaper than regular landline providers, hence only having to top it up so rarely).
PKRichie
19 Jan 17#249
If you're getting nuisance/abusive calls, BT will change your number free of charge, Sky I have no idea about, ask them.
You never bothered reading the OP or past comments did you ? you just thought you'd make stuff up.
Call protect will not affect/change or do anything with any contract, It's a free addon, it can be removed at anytime, why do people struggle to understand this ?
bbbking
19 Jan 17#248
ok so i used to get loads of phone calls selling this and that or international calls some saying i'd had a car accident and don't even own a car, since buying bt8500 about a year ago we have stopped getting bogus calls completely , so you don't pay for bt's new call blocking but sure you will unless you renew one of your contracts that you have with them already, like caller display and 1571 which you get free when renewing your yearly contract
Master G
19 Jan 17#247
If nobody calls your house for you, why on earth have you still got your phone plugged in? You don't need a new number, unplug the thing.
delboyd
19 Jan 171#246
Not quite what you're looking for, but all new Samsung handsets will advise you if a nuisance number calls you. It will flash up with a warning before you take the call.
bschofield
19 Jan 17#245
Is there anything like this for a mobile phone? I even have a landline phone plugged in any more. x
Anyone else just keep getting "We're sorry... We can't process this order online. Please call us on 0800 672 476"???
Greeble69
18 Jan 17#242
Since signing up to BT phone and broadband services we have regular nuisance calls despite been on the telephone preference service (we didn't get these nuisance calls with our previous provider). BT have recommended a BT phone with built in call guardian facility. Inputting some of the nuisance numbers we have received onto forums, there seems to be a lot of posts plugging the BT phone with call guardian facility. A hunch of mine by reading some of these comments on other forums and by the nature of the nuisance calls (non-specific and purely designed to be a nuisance): Is BT (or someone with an interest in BT or call guardian) somehow orchestrating nuisance calls to people in order to increase sales of their BT phone with call guardian facility.
Reading this post now about free Call Protect, I can’t help but feel that it is part of a bigger plan from BT to eventually charge and then make money from their customers.
PKRichie
18 Jan 17#241
BT will respect your wishes, you can be contacted via call, text, email or letter, you can opt out of some or all if you wish.
Scammers though are getting more clever, all they need is a phone number and they can see who the provider is, makes them seem more genuine when calling, they'll make it sound time senstive by saying unauthorised broadband action, demand answers off you or else your internet will be disconnected in 30 minutes.
a_user
18 Jan 17#240
As others have said, just ditch the landline completely, and use something like TruCaller on your mobile to block stuff. Trucaller also allows you to report and add to their database so that in future other people will know it's a spam caller through your contribution, and obviously numbers reported as spam by others will be marked as spam for you too if they try calling you.
daviescr
18 Jan 17#239
Hmmm... Interesting considering they've been making nuisance calls themselves trying to promote special offers (unless they're scammers claiming to be BT of course).
johnnyd57uk
18 Jan 17#238
Not sure how well it works. Have signed up to this and their other blocking services. As soon as I had I received a call from some insurance service. The jurys out on this one for me.
I have to say that my home phone and mobile are becoming a nightmare with the levels of unsolicited calls.
Spankey22
18 Jan 17#237
I'm not on BT, but have a BT Call Guardian phone, and it's fantastic. It can be used on any provider, as long as you have caller display.
The phone is one of the best things I've ever bought, gives me piece and quiet :sunglasses:
dowsby
18 Jan 17#236
Works well easy to set up via 1571.Free
Sambat
18 Jan 171#235
Hi Milfhunter, your village called, they are missing you.
LelliT
18 Jan 171#234
Will this block nuisance calls from BT itself. I have had two cold calls from them in 2 days.
Sambat
18 Jan 17#233
An Android landline, that's novel.
turbine
18 Jan 17#232
It states when you checkout: "If this option is already selected, you currently have BT Privacy with Caller Display. If you don’t make any further changes, no amends will be made to your caller display service or line rental contract."
dougrobbins78
18 Jan 17#231
Thanks all. What a lovely bunch we have here on HUKD
Sun is shining, weather is fine and no more nuisance calls. What a day! :smile:
Newbold
18 Jan 171#230
Simplest option is probably just to press 1572 - which will only work once it's live, of course. Some fairly simple menu options allowing you to listen to any junk folder messages and to change any settings you want to change.
robertr
18 Jan 171#229
Go to http://www.bt.com and sign into your MYBT with your BTID and you can manage all your account settings for all your products from there.
Hi there. Where are you going to manage the Call protect settings?
I signed up today and it successfully added it
But when I click the link in the OP about managing settings; it takes me back to sign up page again
Cheers
PKRichie
18 Jan 17#226
No, 100% wrong, It is free and optional for all customers who pay their line rental to BT.
Do you run some sort of cold calling company M1LFHunter and you're worried about your income or just too lazy to read the terms ?
robertr
18 Jan 17#225
It's free. My monthly charge is exactly the same as it was before I added this on, so please show me where it is 'hidden'??
M1LFHunter
18 Jan 17#224
Actually, no. They will include this in your bill as a hidden 'on-cost'
buglawton
18 Jan 17#223
The ambulance chasers are now calling from Liverpool, other places in the North and recently, and even using my own Reading local area code as their fake originating number.
Newbold
18 Jan 17#222
I have the BT8500 (which incorporates and improves on Truecall) as well as this new service. Somewhat belt and braces, but the BT service is free, so no extra cost.
They work well together, and BT's Call Protect just adds an extra layer of protection because it can deal with spammers who just change their spoofed number.
Newbold
18 Jan 17#221
Actually, if you give that a little thought, you'll realise that it makes little sense. Yes, they could block all the callers but if they did that you wouldn't have the degree of personalisation and control you get with this free service.
eglons
18 Jan 17#220
Has anyone with a truecall unit tested out this service and if so how does it compare?
tom_hungston
18 Jan 17#219
typical BT way of thinking, how to find way to rob customers, they could block callers themselves but prefer not to
Batch_2001
18 Jan 17#218
In theory, I have a 3 phone and they have an app called "intouch". Its better than nothing but wifi calls are very hit and miss - sometimes fine, sometimes echo, sometimes breakup. I know its not my broadband/wifi too.
If only they'd sell femto like Voda.
----
Oh, and I f****g forgot to re-start free caller display since re-contracting in May 2016, so I've unwittingly been paying £1.75 for months. Still :smiley:
Newbold
18 Jan 17#217
Thanks - though there are plenty of others (including me) who've taken this product without any problems at all. Presumably since you took it in early January (when it was still just a trial) they've sorted out the early glitches. I ordered it (after checking via chat that it wouldn't affect the contract length) and it was live a few hours later with no problems at all.
tascheman
18 Jan 17#216
I took out this service on 02/01/2017 - over two weeks before you posted this deal.
As part of taking out this service, I lost my Caller ID (BT Privacy at Home) on 03/01/17
I tried CS via chat and then BTCare on Twitter to get the service reinstated but got the same answer - I would have to recontract for 12 months to get Caller ID for free or pay for it.
Same thing happened to Fagin11.
So that's sharing an actual experience with this product and the associated loss of another (more useful) service that can occur - not misinformation.
I'll keep those magic beans for you :wink:
Newbold
18 Jan 17#215
I think you need a little training in consumer law. Keep your magic beans - you might need them. I have it all in writing from BT, and the unchanged contract date confirms what they said.
Stop spreading misinformation when you don't understand what you're saying. :wink:
PKRichie
17 Jan 17#214
or via a DSR revert, any changes made on the order that stopped your Caller Display when you added Call Protect will be reversed, you have 14 days from the day after the order was made to change your mind.
tascheman
17 Jan 17#213
If you believe that, I've some magic beans that I can sell you :wink:
Only with BT as there was a great cashback deal in August. As soon as my 12 months is up, I'm off - not getting suckered into a recontract.
tascheman
17 Jan 17#212
Already tried via CS and Twitter - only way to get it back is to recontract for 12 months or pay £1.75 a month.
PKRichie
17 Jan 17#211
Get back in touch, Caller Display is not in anyway connected to this, they're different addons.
The advisor made a mistake when adding it.
robertr
17 Jan 17#210
No, because you are not a BT Consumer customer.
JDPower
17 Jan 17#209
No because you are with Plusnet, not BT :smirk:
Newbold
17 Jan 17#208
Your warning was pointless. It's all been checked out with BT if you look above and they've confirmed it doesn't restart the contract. :wink:
tascheman
17 Jan 17#207
Lost my Caller ID when I signed up for this - checked out Line Rental Plus but Caller Display is still a £1.75 per month option on top of the £2 as far as I can see.
wekslap
17 Jan 17#206
Does this work on Plusnet too which I understand is BT anyway?
tascheman
17 Jan 17#205
I tried to warn people about this (comment 76)!
I wonder how many people who signed up for this have taken out a new 12 month line rental contract in order to keep their 'free' caller ID and haven't realised?
Necula
17 Jan 171#204
No, it's the other way round mostly. I have it and checked my settings earlier today. Basically you can do generic blocks like people have described such as any international calls, any withheld number calls, but you can also block specific numbers. BT have collected a database of numbers that they consider spam which are blocked automatically by them. If one gets through and you then want to block it, you can login and it will show you recent numbers that have called you, and you just add it to the block list.
Jft9675
17 Jan 17#203
The best method is a new number and only sharing it with people who you want to call you. Nobody calls my house for me,but I get 10 calls a week for the man who had the number 8 years ago. As soon as his name is mentioned down goes the phone. They keep ringing tho! Getting a new number out if BT or Sky is like trying to get a first class ticket on the a
QM2 out of them
Fagin11
17 Jan 17#202
Be cautious if signing up to this - I deleted the option (Caller Protect with Caller Display free for 12 months or something like that) which said it would start a new 12 month contract and this morning lost existing services so I ended up answering dodgy numbers I would normally ignore because they weren't displayed, and junk calls came through to me more efficiently than normal ! Another BT shambles then - call centre said there have been lots of problems with this.
Newbold
17 Jan 171#201
Have a look at the original post. It (and the link given) will answer your questions.
timj13
17 Jan 17#200
So once i sign up i have to enter all the phone numbers i want to block? Individually?
This seems really time consuming, isn't there a big list that BT already have of nuisance phone numbers and cant i just cut and paste that list into the numbers i want to block?
Jumpinbeans
17 Jan 171#199
Id strongly recommend getting this - http://amzn.eu/hGoAqv7
We've had them for about a year and have had zero nuisance calls since we got them.
cod
17 Jan 17#198
If you don't have a BT line, and don't want one (and why would you!), just get a BT phone with Call Guardian. It does pretty much everything this does, and at no cost. Works great too, I've had one for a couple of years and spammers are blocked and I never even have to hear them ring the phone :smile:
jdr116
17 Jan 171#197
Sadly that tps service is a complete waste of time these days. I'm registered with it but still get 3 or 4 nuisance calls every week day :disappointed: Nearly all automated ones which leave a message on my answer phone and even if you press '9' (as the call suggests to be removed from the calls) they still continue day after day. Sadly I'm with SKY so can't try this "BT solution"
ian18
17 Jan 17#196
Not a deal. Why are non-deals allowed under deals?
OperateOnMe
17 Jan 17#195
That's the point. Look at all the threads, this offer is not for anyone with a BT line (from BT openreach) but BT customers from BT retail.
A BT line is not exclusive to BT customers but the majority of the UK whom have a landline not with a cable provider.
The original post should be amended as it is a freebie to paying BT retail customers
borofan47
17 Jan 17#194
We bought a BT call blocking phone from Argos last year. You don't have to be a BT subscriber to use it. You program in the numbers you want to allow through and they'll come through automatically. All other numbers are pre-vetted by the phone and the person has to identify themselves before we choose whether to answer the call or not. We can allow the number once, allow it permanently, send it to answerphone, or block it permanently.
Newbold
17 Jan 17#193
Too right - if you block all withheld numbers (and then forget to check the 'spam' messages) you've every chance of missing vital calls. There are a lot of perfectly genuine concerns still withholding their numbers for perfectly good reasons (including me, simply because I object to my number being harvested by businesses) and the chances are you're going to miss important calls from somebody. Spammers these days tend not to withhold numbers anyway - they spoof them.
darren9030
17 Jan 17#192
Cheers , ordered & heat added.
ukaskew
17 Jan 17#191
I think this is true of many businesses/organisations that have internal VOIP phones (I think specifically where not all phones have a direct line). I've worked at a College and a University and all outgoing calls go out as 'Withheld' for whatever reason, it's the same for some schools as well (my wife is a teacher).
I'd consider carefully before blocking all withheld numbers.
pergylmouse
17 Jan 17#190
Just thought would mention if using witheld number block it will block calls from NHS services including Health Visitors, Clinics, Podiatry, School Nursing etc.
jonnithomas
17 Jan 17#189
I have a phone that has both landline and voip lines connected. the voip has a UK number on it for a different area which my friends and family use. Bedford area code is useful for this as it's 01234.
the phone puts all number withheld calls to an answerphone. It has four answerphone on it which you specify for specific functions. it also blocks all calls during a certain timerange apart from specified incoming numbers.
outgoing calls using voip cost less than 3pence a minute. the landline which is for fibre costs £10, unlimited fibre is costing £10.
may seem extreme but I was getting about 20 nuisance calls a day. I rarely get one now.
robertr
17 Jan 17#188
No, wrong on both. It does not start a new 12 month contract. I placed the order to switch it on yesterday and my contract expiry date remains the same as it was before. While the process starts with putting in your telephone number and postcode, to complete the order you need to sign into your account with your BTID.
Newbold
17 Jan 17#187
Maybe - but why not just take it up while it's free instead of worrying about what might or might not happen? :neutral_face:
Newbold
17 Jan 171#186
Check it out with BT via their online chat if you're doubtful - you'll get a confirmation something like mine - and written confirmation.
[02:31:33 PM] Me: So if I add Call Protect my contract length stays exactly as it is now?
[02:31:53 PM] Operator: Yes - exactly as now.
anewman
17 Jan 17#185
Wait until they charge for it eventually. They do for caller ID.
benlondon
17 Jan 17#184
you must have missed the part in my reply where I said there was, and will be no ultimate solution, by the design of telecoms it is not possible
moneysavingkitten
17 Jan 171#183
Quite shocking, you don't even need to log into your account to sign someone up for this by the looks of it. Only need their phone number and postcode.
I am high sceptical that it won't start another 12 month contract, as there is no option to simply turn it on. You have to choose an 12 month option for called ID, which we already have so shouldn't need to select again.
plodging
17 Jan 17#182
Aww you have my sympathy .. Can't you latch onto to your wifi for calls ?
Batch_2001
17 Jan 17#181
People with virtually no mobile signal. Like me.
As if living in Swindon wasn't punishment enough :smiley: #blackSpot
urgurinder
17 Jan 17#180
The only people who know my landline number are family, friends, kids school and BT. That seemed to have worked to avoid any nuisance calls on the landline, atleast for now!
cromarty
17 Jan 17#179
Useful - pretty much the only calls we get on the landline are from relatives, other than that a lot of automated PPI and replace your boiler calls. The nuisance calls are all from unavailable numbers, so can now block them.
plodging
17 Jan 17#178
It's easier to ditch your house phone .. Who uses it anyhow these days
Batch_2001
17 Jan 171#177
Yeah it works to an extent, but TPS doesn't work well with foreign originated calls, only legitimate UK businesses that adhere to the rules.
I'm interested in how well this works, and how they are monitoring and classifying nuisance calls. If its just globally based unverified CLI blacklist its going to be OK ..
Barfbag
17 Jan 17#176
No need for all this. Use tps. Its free. register your home and mobile numbers. All call centers must check against this database as to which numbers they can call or face a fine. If they ring, just ask if they have checked the tps database. They normally appologise and back off. Have not had a dodgy call in eight months. Previously had ten a day.
t rex
17 Jan 17#175
Sounds interesting I will have a look into this
Newbold
17 Jan 17#174
I have - it doesn't.
bigdeal66
17 Jan 17#173
Not voted,but quick look at BT's pricing its much cheaper to buy a £20 call blocker....
Got one of ebay 2 years ago,has been great.
JDPower
17 Jan 17#172
Seems they don't want me - "We're sorry. We can't process this order online."
tigger80
17 Jan 17#171
check if this extends contract by 12 months, BT are sneaky, happened to me once when i added a free product to my line
McNeillR
17 Jan 17#170
If I have the time I don't mind speaking to these folk as long as they're not hiding their number. Got a couple last week and two today, caught the last one as I finished before 5pm (they never seemed to bother calling AFTER 5pm...).
They'd got my number from something-or-other and the only bits of info they gave me was my email and address from 10+ years ago. I've never changed my number, told them it was well out of date - AND THAT I WAS UNDER 50...It was Sun Life! Someone must have sold them a gold list. Number squashed from their records and hopefully will go back to being not used for a long time. A decade ago I was ticking and unticking willy nilly, sadly the only thing I've carried is my number. Lucky if I get two calls like this a year.
PKRichie
17 Jan 17#169
It's still an ongoing offer but for 12 months, BT privacy refers to being registerd with the telephone preference service, it's free and has no effect on your contract duration and can be added anytime.
Caller Display is given free as an optional extra, if you re-contract your line rental for 12 months, it's free for 12 months, after that it becomes chargable from month 13 at £1.75, It's also part of the notification emails, as the free period comes to an end you get notified by your preferred method of contact, notifying that the discount period is ending, it even contains a link to renew without speaking with an advisor if sent by email.
If you don't like to recontract you can change to 'Line Rental Plus' for an extra £2 per month, Caller Display is one of 7 free calling features you can have with for £2 more, previously it was £4.25 per month on its own, again can be removed at anytime with 30 days notice.
The BT group covers many companies, Openreach maintain the network, BT retail are a customer, as are Sky, TalkTalk and Plusnet (another BT company) and EE (another BT company)
This service is free for any BT landline customer (with or without broadband), without starting or changing any contract duration, when combined with 1571 you can enhance the extra features, such as VIP lists and even what time of day it covers, handy if you' work unsociable hours or even have a small child that sleeps through the day.
Stimpington
17 Jan 17#168
They don't.
You would.
You don't.
They won't.
robertr
17 Jan 17#167
Sorry but you are incorrect. You can still get the caller display part of BT Privacy for free if you recontract.
huggychair
17 Jan 17#166
Yes. but they still ended it and made everybody pay for caller ID.
robertr
17 Jan 17#165
BT Privacy always included chargeable caller display, however, it you recontracted you got the option of the caller display part of it free for 12 months, after 12 months you started paying the original price or had the option to recontract again to regain caller display for free for another 12 months.
huggychair
16 Jan 17#164
Agreed. They had a service a few years ago called 'BT Privacy' with 'free' caller iD/ TPS registration it lasted about 18 months before everybody started getting charged for the Caller iD part.
robertr
16 Jan 171#163
See the post above yours.
Pateo
16 Jan 17#162
I probably already know the answer! May of already been asked!
All landlines are owned by BT, I'm with sky BB no landline/telephone contract! So is this BT protect available to actual BT customers only or other providers also?
robertr
16 Jan 17#161
This is free for BT Consumer customers. You are confusing BT Consumer with other parts of BT's group of businesses. BT Consumer is a service provider the same as others etc. All (non-Virgin) providers rent the lines/exchange space from Wholesale, this is a BT Consumer product and is provided to their customers only, so if you are with another provider you are not a BT Consumer customer for your landline.
ArthurDent1
16 Jan 17#160
Been registered with the TPS for years.
It used to work; the ocasional sales callimmediately apologised and hung up when told.
However, a fw years ago I switched our phone to BT (I've since left) and the number of nuisnace calls rocketed. They get round the TPS because it doesn't cover:
1. Calls that aren't sales calls; "Oh no, we're not selling anything. we'd just like to design a new kitchen/bathroom for you..."
2. Recorded messages "Press 1 to get a new boiler, press 2 to be removed from this list (but they never remove you), Press 3 to request a call" "Oh, we're only calling because you asked us to" "Yeah, that's becaue I pressed 2 to be removed from your list on each and every one of the 17 times to called me but still you keep calling"
3. Calls from "MIcrosoft" (or whoever it is this month) offering to fix my computer if I'll just navigate to...
OK, 3 is just a scam calling from abroad but I cannot understand why 'non-sales' calls and recorded message are legal even though I'm registered with the TPS.
I have tried making a complaint to the TPS but they usually tell me the businesses can't be traced (despite me giving their phone number and in some cases their address!).
pez555
16 Jan 17#159
Never seen the need for a landline so never have. Good for those that do though
ArthurDent1
16 Jan 17#158
That's worth looking into, thanks.
It'll involve a couple of new phones because something tells me it won't work on Windows Phone!
Bargaingirl
16 Jan 171#157
Signed up today all activated.....I had 7 calls today prior to activating....5 hours since activating not one yet ....Will be so pleased if finally they leave me alone!!!
clsss
16 Jan 17#156
or just do what I did and take your landline phone out and use the line only for broadband... who needs it these days with mobile phones....
stave84
16 Jan 171#155
TPS has dropped ours from ~2/day to maybe 2/week but still annoying. Rarely anybody there when you pick up so cant tell them its illegal to call us. Nor do they care.
thomasleep
16 Jan 17#154
well i spent three weeks during December being constantly given the run around by people working in Indian call centers. Still dire customer service and a dire company
scrimpersdelight
16 Jan 17#153
This feature applies to the telephone service and not the line itself. Some lines don't even terminate on BT equipment so how could it be offered on those?
OperateOnMe
16 Jan 17#152
ee no, eerrhhh, eeee nooooooooooo
OperateOnMe
16 Jan 17#151
Actually you do not need a BT line but you need a BT paid package line for this to be free.
Most people with a BT line will not get ths service unless BT allows it to be free on all BT lines, which it does not.
Landline telephones in the UK are mainly either BT lines or cable (Virgin) lines, very few companies do non BT lines! This offer is not free
breslau
16 Jan 17#150
Vodafone have a similar scheme blocking spam on their network.. I know there isnt much love for Voda's customer service, but I'm enjoying the combination of network level spam blocking and caller identifying on my S7.. so if one does get through it says "spammer" or "PPI scam" or similar.
crazylegs
16 Jan 171#149
Now don't be silly!
You know you can never block or get away from the mother in law :stuck_out_tongue:
breslau
16 Jan 17#148
Everyone is paying extra line rental to cover BT Sports, regardless of network.. the increases are unbelievable.
deewbee
16 Jan 17#147
signed this up for my mum, good idea - she is 88 years old and constantly gets pestered - so immoral, hope sky do the same as I have my landline with them ?!?!?!
robertr
16 Jan 17#146
You are not up to date. BT has already brought back 80% of the work from overseas and the other 20% is an ongoing process.
louhigs
16 Jan 17#145
I was one of the trialists for this fantastic product.
thomasleep
16 Jan 17#144
would put up with these calls all day long if it meant ever having anything to do with BT(nerve calling themselves that when they outsourced everything to India) dire company, dire service and no where near the best value!!
robertr
16 Jan 17#143
You are confusing BT Consumer with other parts of their group of businesses. BT Consumer is a service provider the same as Plusnet and others etc. They rent the lines from Wholesale, this is a BT Consumer product and is provided to their customers only, so as you are with another provider you are not a BT Consumer customer for your landline.
As PlusNet advertise religiously on TV all the time ...
dogsballs
16 Jan 17#140
they create the problem only to solve it twenty years too late
AndyRoyd
16 Jan 17#139
This service is available to exclusively BT landline customers, but if you have callerID you can use what I would describe as a superior system of Trucall Call Guardian via a suitably-featured handset such as BT 4500, 6500, 6600, 8600 and others.
BeerGoggles
16 Jan 17#138
I just tried this I can't get it because I don't have a BT line. My internet is with PlusNet who pass on line rental fee to BT but apparently I don't have a BT line. I pay line rental, and I'm sure PlusNet don't legally own it.
alex_uk
16 Jan 17#137
free for me as I never pay for landlines per month, when you do have option to save!!!
proteinsheikh
16 Jan 17#136
will this work with EE seeing as BT own EE?
esspee
16 Jan 17#135
How does that work with calls originating from VOIP systems? This is where these spoofed random CLI calls are coming from, they do not have an "actual number" associated with them. They can only be traced back to the point where they enter the public telephone network, the forged CLI is injected prior to this point.
Alloneword
16 Jan 17#134
Will come in very handy thanks
Daytrader
16 Jan 17#133
Great service.
honestman1958
16 Jan 17#132
Thanks for this. I have received two calls today -readily available as they always quote the wrong first name. Will be glad to see the end to these calls! Signed up today.
clancolin
16 Jan 17#131
I haven't left a voicemail in years. I only call people if it is important or needs an answer faster than an email will get them.
I find voicemail messages to be hideously long "Hello. You've reached me {I knew that!} but I'm not in {I know that too!}. I only work Mondays, Thursdays and every fourth Friday {boring!}. If you leave your name. address, DOB, your pet's name, blah, blah, blah, I will get back to you some time when it suits me"
Life's too short for that nonsense.
maxmix
16 Jan 17#130
I moved to SSE 3 weeks ago for the free broadband for 18months and calls etc, does this mean i'm snookered ?
maxmix
Kev`
16 Jan 17#129
Thanks, signed up. Would have went with caller ID too but didn't want to extend the line rental for 12 months at the moment.
Wombatwilson
16 Jan 17#128
this can also be managed from your BT.com account.
lump
16 Jan 17#127
We bought a home phone recently, a BT8500, which has a Call Guardian feature. Basically any number not stored in your phone gets answered by the guardian service. It asks the caller to say their name then press #, at which point your phone rings telling you who is on the line, and whether you want to accept it or not.
This is bad for the majority of telemarketers, because their outbound diallers can't cope with having to press a key to connect the call. We've gone from at least 1 spam call a day to nothing in weeks. Not they they haven't stopped trying. We just get lots of missed call notifications now - the calls that didn't connect. My only worry is there are legitimate calls trying to get through, but anyone who knows us has our mobile numbers.
There is no fee for this - the main feature is built into the phone. But having this call protect service would (hopefully) further reduce the spam calls coming through to us.
derekduggan
16 Jan 17#126
Thanks OP
Newbold
16 Jan 17#125
Actually, it does work - for the simple reason that BT are using the actual number (and not the spoofed number) for blocking purposes. So spoofing won't actually work with this system in place.
As said previously, unless BT stop giving scammers access to their network using spoofed CLI, these systems will not work. Otherwise, only a 'whitelist' will work, i.e. only allowing pre-registered numbers through, as said above.
Most of the calls I get now are spoofed numbers, completely random and different every time. Usual giveaway is the five digit number after the code, very uncommon here in the UK, but a ten digit number being the norm in many EU countries.
I googled one a while ago, the dialling code presented turned out, by pure chance, to be a fake dialling code reserved for use in television and film productions... and BT allow these callers to inject this obviously fake CLI into a real phone call.
I think that sums the whole thing up. BT make money out of these calls, and will not do anything to block these spoofed CLI calls at source, they have to be answered, or at least diverted to voicemail so that BT always get their call termination fee. The only problem for the customer is that the system will never be able to intercept randomly generated spoofed numbers.
IMHO BT should not allow spoofed numbers from internet or international origin, and only with very good reason for calls originating in the UK. Certainly not for marketing purposes.
Proveright
16 Jan 17#122
BT (bl**dy terrible) company. They paid over the odds for football coverage and will try every trick in the book to put your charges up.They also have about 75% of the mobile network, but don't /won't use all of it. This means the competitors in total only have about 25%, which is why the coverage is not as good as it could be.
The latest round of frequencies are coming up for auction, and there is a petition to stop BT getting more than 30 %, as it will just make the market more uncompetitive.
On the land line broadband the reason why most of us have slow speeds is BTs reluctance to upgrade.
As to nuisance calls,
going ex directory with caller display and telephone preference helps. I answer with just Hello. If its a nuisance call I say where did you get this number from. Hardly have any problem, and if they rarely call they get short shrift.
callum84
16 Jan 17#121
Did you sign up to TPS on your mobile?
Honestly, Im lucky if I get one nuisance call per quarter.
Rich44
16 Jan 17#120
My Fritzbox 7490 does this, along with handling the VDSL connection it also manages all the phone calls too, easy to add/remove numbers yourself & block outgoing numbers (handy if you've teens).
It's a nice idea by BT but I just don't trust BT to handle call blocking
ggibson
16 Jan 17#119
Not quite the case, BT or any other provider don't check whether you have the correct phone. You can order it regardless, its just pointless if you don't have a caller id phone.
Rich44
16 Jan 17#118
So how long before BT charge these companies to get around the block?
Seems to me that'd be a lovely source of revenue for BT shareholders.....
radioplumber
16 Jan 17#117
Only works if you are paying BT for there landline
illium
16 Jan 17#116
The only thing about sending all "Unknown" callers to voicemail is that if it does indeed turn out to be a legitimate call which needs a reply then you'll be footing the phone bill, during the day that might get quite expensive. If your looking for a job for example you might get calls from employment agencies, often marked as "Unknown" and might miss a vital opportunity.
I'm with TPS, but I still get calls about PPI, Gas Boilers, Microsoft PC, home improvement etc. and those annoying "goodbye" messages. I'll give this BT initiative a try at least. Thanks to the poster.
AtheneWins
16 Jan 17#115
Why would anyone want this? I love the PPI guys and the 'Customer Service from Windows 7' callers. They make my day. I get so creative with stories I tell them :smile:
gother
16 Jan 17#114
Could be yeah, it isn't costing me no extra anyway so i see it as a bonus i had no intention of leaving BT anytime soon so the re contract was no big deal.
spaceinvader
16 Jan 171#113
Have you tried the Cooke and Wheatstone app store?
lianne21
16 Jan 171#112
Gave up 4 years ago and switched the landline ringer off. Leave answer machine on answer immediately so I can listen to messages and decide if I want to call anyone back. It's great as I was getting around 5 every day and the peace is bliss :smiley:
robertr
16 Jan 17#111
I get more on my mobile than my house phone!
callum84
16 Jan 17#110
Best thing I ever did was bin the house phone.
Cant remember last time I had a nuisance call on the mobile.
noahsdad
16 Jan 17#109
Everyone knows almost all companies break the law regarding TPS as standard. Anyone who works or works in a call centre will tell you, you call someone, they say I am on the TPS etc, you say I'm terribly sorry, we will get you removed from the list, bye now, and guess what, there is no removal from anything or any action re TPS. Happens millions of times a day in the UK for years now. It won't change either as the TPS is a joke. At best it is more like a voluntary sign up charter which very few companies take seriously. Companies rarely get fined, so the risk assessment aspect probably does not even get considered.
nanuek
16 Jan 17#108
Sounds like my job. Apart from the spam calls I guess.
fishmaster
16 Jan 17#107
I've got one of these (see link below), it was working well until spammers started using spoofed numbers, so now it's pretty useless, I must get 8-10 spoofed numbers a day now.
Spoofing numbers is an indication of the bad design of the caller display system and thus the security aspect is poor as well. I don't answer the calls at home, at work we get spam calls and we don't have a caller display system enabled so I must spend 10 minutes a day telling people to F Off.
robertr
16 Jan 17#106
No it doesn't.
Youngy
16 Jan 17#105
With the worldwide distributed VoIP telephony industry it's not much different to trying to block spam email. This service is free and will help people.
ValWirral
16 Jan 17#104
Just tried to order this. It isn't free it costs £1.75 a month
robertr
16 Jan 17#103
No, you can have BT Protect without BT Privacy.
rustybullet
16 Jan 17#102
The Google dialer also has this baked in. If a number gets reported as spam (probably have to be a few people) then it comes up RED when your phone rings. Not sure about other's - I'd guess that Samsung probably has it in their dialer too.
greadon
16 Jan 17#101
I already have BT Privacy package as an add-on and in order for me to activate the new Call Protect I have to renew my Privacy Package and therefore a new 12 month contract :smirk: - A good way of getting existing customers to stay longer!
Johnmcl7
16 Jan 17#100
I don't think this is that useful a service for many of the reasons already pointed out, for those getting a lot of nuisance calls I'd recommend looking at BT's Call Guardian DECT phones. Rather than use a whitelist or automatically block on source, the Call Guardian system kicks in if the caller isn't in the phonebook - they're prompted to speak their name then press the hash key at which point the phone then rings, you're played back who the person said they are and then have the choice to take the call, add the number to the phonebook, divert to voicemail or block it.
In practice I find there's almost no nuisance calls, automated callers aren't able to get pass the prompt and most human callers I suspect don't bother going through the system as they know you're not going to answer the call anyway. In all those cases, the phone simply doesn't ring which is a much better solution than having standard caller id, going to the phone each time and deciding whether to answer it or not. The system is easily disabled as well from the phone so if there's times when you're expecting a call and want to make sure it gets through you can temporarily turn it off then back on again as needed.
The only service the system needs to function is caller ID although if you stay with BT 12 months at a time they give it for free, I assume it would work fine with other providers as well if there's caller ID on the line.
John
MadeInBeats
16 Jan 171#99
Virgin Media need to do this. Truth be told, nuisance and cold calls are such a blight on almost everyone these days, the government should step in and do something about it. Disgusting.
tehwabbit
16 Jan 17#98
That's quite neat. I've never needed it personally as I only really use a mobile.
JezB
16 Jan 171#97
The BT Call Guardian phones mentioned above almost do this. If it doesn't recognise the number it answers the call silently, asks them to announce who they are, then rings you and tells you what they said. If you don't like the sound of them, you can block them once or for always, or let them through once or always if you do. In my experience, cold callers etc don't bother announcing themselves and hang up so you are none the wiser.
Has worked 100% for us in the last year since we got them, and they didn't seem to be much more than any other DECT phone.
mikem1989
16 Jan 17#96
My grandad gets abused by cold callers. I go round and it's at least 3-4 an hour. All day everyday.
I tell him he needs to switch from BT as nothing changed even though he complained but he's stuck in his ways...
Jokes on them though. When he starts telling them a story, their the ones that can't get away from him. Talk for England that lad.
AndyRoyd
16 Jan 17#95
This. And a fully-functional handset-based variation of this principle has been available for ages for use with any service provider via the BT Trucall Call Guardian service. 100% block of automated and/or personally-indicated unwanted calls whilst being transparent to known-legitimate calls. Available on various BT-branded handsets such as BT 4500, 6500, 6600, 8800 and others. CallerID service required.
talogon
16 Jan 17#94
Happy days.
robertr
16 Jan 17#92
How long have you had this?
JezB
16 Jan 171#93
The BT Call Guardian phones mentioned above almost do this. If it doesn't recognise the number it answers the call silently, asks them to announce who they are, then rings you and tells you what they said. If you don't like the sound of them, you can block them once or for always, or let them through once or always if you do. In my experience, cold callers etc don't bother announcing themselves and hang up so you are none the wiser.
Has worked 100% for us in the last year since we got them, and they didn't seem to be much more than any other DECT phone.
nanuek
16 Jan 17#91
Agreed, this is always going to be a reactive service that is going to move more slowly than the people who are making the calls. For legitimate UK sourced marketing calls you can use TPS but that only affects companies that are playing by the rules anyway.
The only way I can see for effectively stopping spam calls is better vetting when numbers are purchased. It seems like it shouldn't be hard to throw up enough barriers to make scam calls commercially unviable.
Evostance
16 Jan 171#90
Had this, never solved my issue, still get loads of calls
lord_trumpington
16 Jan 17#89
So our Broadband and phone package is with BT. When I click the link and enter my details the pop up 'you do not appear to have a BT line' appears. Same old BT.....
tehwabbit
16 Jan 171#88
Nice idea but pointless.
As M5rcc says, scammers will just get around it. Take out a BT line with this feature and dial themselves periodically to check if they are blacklisted before taking out a new number. You can automate the whole thing with a decent system.
Blocking withheld numbers is also stupid, as a lot of people use it for genuine purposes such as NHS (GPs, Dentists, NHS Direct) and also a lot of businesses (Including your child's schools)
It's impossible to stop scammers without using a whitelist which has it's own problems. With marketing calls from genuine companies (I.e. Vodafone, RAC, etc) just tell them you want to be removed from their marketing. They have to comply and after a few calls just threaten with legal action. I've had many companies remove me from their marketing doing this.
A better but more impractical system would be to have a call screening service which answers with something like "To connect your call, press 123" which is random each time or set by the user. If successful it then connects.
robertr
16 Jan 17#87
The service is free while you are a BT landline customer, I did not pay a years rental upfront and I have the service free of charge.
TheBlueWhale
16 Jan 17#86
If memory serves me correctly you can simply block an area code rather than the whole number but that may be a feature of particular phones
finknottle
16 Jan 17#85
Worth thinking twice before blocking withheld numbers as they are often used by the emergency services etc. You might think it'll never happen but you never know who might need to get in touch.
sosrandom
16 Jan 17#84
I noticed this when signing up, decided to avoid the Call Protect. I will still change provider after 12 months anyway.
m5rcc
16 Jan 171#83
I think you'll find that spammers and "nuisance callers" are quicker and smarter than BT. They will find other numbers to circumvent the system. Many call from private/withheld numbers of which some could be genuine. This service will not work as advertised.
If someone calls you and don't recognise the number, then don't answer it. If it's important, they'll leave a voicemail and/or find a different way to get in touch. It's not that difficult..
benlondon
16 Jan 17#82
I think you need to read what the product does again, they are aware of number ranges used for spamming purposes, and if enough people report additional numbers they will also block them, instead of having a go at them for trying to do their best to reduce the problem, perhaps be a little more grateful.
I'm sure if you have some groundbreaking idea to block ALL nuisance calls, even on new number ranges, they would be all ears (but the solution does not and cannot exist, you can spoof the call to any number you like if you know how, even so it comes from old Betty's phone down the road)
BrianSewell
16 Jan 17#81
So this is for landline only?
What I'm after is a call blocker for my Cooke and Wheatstone telegram machine
Sharpharp
16 Jan 17#80
This device is pointless nowadays, these cold-calling firms have moved onto spoofing your local dialling code, which this device will allow through
TheBlueWhale
16 Jan 17#79
The service is free if you pay a years line rental up front
freakstyler
16 Jan 17#78
Must admit, we've been on the TPS register for years but calls still used to get through but over the past 6 months or so the number has tailed off to zero. Being on Virgin, we switched over from BT in 2005 for faster broadband - maybe BT should concentrate more on upgrading their infrastructure rather than vanity projects like blocking calls.
liamf12
16 Jan 17#77
Talktalk have a similar product but can only block 10 numbers, hopefully they'll allow more soon. I can't block withheld numbers due to schools and doctors needing contact, same with foreign numbers as my sister lives abroad. Just wish the telecoms companies would get together, share recent nuisance numbers and cut them off. As for those cavity wall insulation, window and PPI calls, I wish some hacker would get the company directors phone numbers and post them online so they can have a taste of their own medicine.
tascheman
16 Jan 172#76
Watch out - I got this a few weeks ago and lost my free Caller ID - to keep it 'free' , you have to recontract for 12 months. Or pay them £1.75 a month for the privilege. Typical shoddy BT behaviour.
TiptreeJam
16 Jan 17#75
A very useful service but it would cost me more to switch from Plusnet to BT and I wasn't so happy with BTs previous customer service quality but voted hot anyway. I pay 99p per month for Caller Display and only answer the phone if it is one of my pre- programmed family, friend etc phone numbers. If by chance it is someone else who wants me then they leave a message so I can call them back. So sales calls etc never get through and I can check the numbers for these and block them on my phone if necessary. I also have a txt/call blocker on my mobile phone. After a while they all tend to give up and I get very few calls of that nature now.
robertr
16 Jan 17#74
Yes, but every variation of that number isn't going to call you. Blacklist the ones that do and it will reduce the calls you get, plus (hopefully) at some point the auto-dialler number range they are calling from gets added to the BT blacklist.
MadonnaProject
16 Jan 17#73
I know what you mean but consider how long it will take for EVERY variation of a number to be blocked. I'd imagine a few trillion blocked calls? How long would that take? Whilst the concept is fine behind this, we'll only be charged more in the future for a service that essentially doesn't work so well. By the way just had a call from my local number and it distinctly sounded like a south african trying for PPI.
jinkssick
16 Jan 17#72
Have not had a landline in God knows how many years. BT line rental forced me to a mobile only network.
jinkssick
16 Jan 17#71
Enjoy free for a limited period then be charged for the privilege, without your consent mind you! Have not had BT for 10 years, could not be happier.
niamh49
16 Jan 17#70
Thanks for that, hadn't come across it before
p20001995
16 Jan 171#69
I have these phones too, Had them for a few years now and stop all unwanted calls.
GW61
16 Jan 17#68
Excellent news, should mean loads of cheap BT8500 call blocker phones on the market for non BT customers!
Master G
16 Jan 17#67
How about just unplugging your landline phone. Don't most people have a mobile these days? Surely, you give your mobile as your contact to anyone you would want to receive a call from as it's always with you.
robertr
16 Jan 17#66
It does work as it was a different number that called you, so you add each variation of that number to your personal blacklist as they come through, also the BT blacklist will be updating all the time by the BT security team, so this can only get better as time goes on.
RogerN
16 Jan 17#65
Works great for me in tandem with BT Halo phone
carburant
16 Jan 17#64
I too have a cpr blocker, works well, but the scammers just get another number or call with a fake number.
Had one last week asking about the misted-up windows I had, when I said I didn't have misted windows he said "I suppose you're sat at home watching tv and doing sod all" I said "Yes.. .all day " He rang off.
Checked his number, blocked him.
seaniboy
16 Jan 17#63
Network ? 3 and o2 have apps, EE and Voda have picocells - they all connect to the mobile network via wifi or Ethernet.
dragonsmum
16 Jan 171#62
We had similar problems. We bought a phone system that forces unknown numbers to announce themselves, else they go to answerphone. Well worth the initial outlay as now we only get calls from people we want to talk to.
MadonnaProject
16 Jan 17#61
It showed a london number. I hung up. Added to blacklist. The next day got the same number slightly changed call me. This service is pointless as I have never had calls from international numbers or blocked. It's always eeds or manchester or birmingham or London numbers and they always change.
donslibi
16 Jan 17#60
You can add numbers to the blacklist if any calls still come through.
digitaltoast
16 Jan 171#59
You bought your ex? That's the danger with those Russian bride scams...
MadonnaProject
16 Jan 171#58
We have this and if you're thinking of getting it just take my advice. IT DOES NOT WORK. I just put the phone down on someone.
ivadeal
16 Jan 17#57
Thanks OP I have signed up for this but I will be keeping an eye on it.
I expect after a free period of a year or two that gives customers the chance to see just how valuable this service is that it will cease being free.
robertr
16 Jan 17#56
Incorrect, the line rental is the same as it was before whether you activate this or not.
muddassarsardar
16 Jan 17#55
don't be charge line rental. if they dont then it's free otherwise they charge it through that some people think they get a free phone on pay monthly aswell
robertr
16 Jan 17#54
No, you don't need to be recontracted to a new 12 month contract to get this, may be they did an account review with you and you agreed to a new promotion which started a new contract.
It's illegal for companies to call you without your permission if you register your number with TPS. If they do, tell them they're breaking the law. I used to get several a day as well but after registering my number with them, I get maybe one a month.
ikonanddiva
16 Jan 171#52
I have the cordless BT Call Guardian and the phones are great, having filtered 100% of annoying call centre calls, insurance claims, PPI or exes since buying them years ago.
The downside is that you can no longer lead a cold caller on that they could be on to a potential sale and tell them to F.O. when you're done playing with them.
gother
16 Jan 17#51
They do indeed but made no difference to me as still got 14 months of a 24 month contract to run so took this up which has now moved me from 14 months to 12 months lol.
robertr
16 Jan 17#50
No, because it's not one of their core products (Phone line, Broadband, TV, Sport, Mobile).
robertr
16 Jan 171#49
As long as you recontract every 12 months you can get BT Privacy including caller display for free.
robertr
16 Jan 17#48
Incorrect.
eslick
16 Jan 17#47
Don't forget caller id as well used to be free and then they charged or at least they did when we were with them. 20 odd years and when you need their help they couldn't give a ....
barginfan
16 Jan 17#46
Definitely.
BT 1571 service used to be free, now they charge £2.25 per month.
It's far cheaper to buy a phone with an answering machine built in.
As I said, it's debatable. BT recently upped the line rental charge. Why? The wholesale cost of line rental has in fact dropped. They've done it to either allow for 'free' services like this or to prop up the low broadband pricing.
lamptonpie
16 Jan 17#43
Just checked and you don't need to have 1471 - there's a free version and a paid for one which gives more features.
donslibi
16 Jan 17#42
Pretty much all phones have caller display now. Ours is over 5 years old and wasn't expensive at the time. Has it built in
firstofficer
16 Jan 171#41
How is this a deal?
Sorry but I'm voting this cold.
Kind regards.
ArthurDent1
16 Jan 176#40
Most of the nuisance call I get are from with-held numbers. Sometimes we get 6 or 7 in a day.
If my kids' school calls me, because of the way their switchboard works the number will be with-held.
I've given them our mobile numbers but there is no reception in some parts of the house.
So if I use this service I might miss an urgent call.
Problem not solved. :-(
veedubjai
16 Jan 17#39
Doesn't surprises me, it's business as usual for BT. One should always read the small print before agreeing into any contract.
m5rcc
16 Jan 17#38
Exactly making this product almost useless....
Ozzie
16 Jan 173#37
wish we could block only nuisance withheld calls ,
get a lot of important ones too , hospitals , carers, doctors etc.
jocksteeluk
16 Jan 173#36
If BT didn't sell your numbers on to these companies you wouldn't need a service like this, BT may say this is free but you need the 1471 service to use it which you have to pay for so expect the price of those services to increase as a result.
digitaltoast
16 Jan 17#35
I heard them explaining it on the radio, saying that it blocks calls from overseas numbers, but almost every single scam call from India I have had in the last year has used a UK "virtual geographic number", often in my own town so that I think it's a local call and get tricked into answering.
Python5
16 Jan 1726#2
you certainly pay for it with the price bt charge lol
rimz790 to Python5
16 Jan 17#34
Guess i'll be activating this when my BT Infinity and calls service starts (again) from Wednesday :smiley:
Sidney1979
16 Jan 17#33
They'll probably want a new 12 month contract, awful company.
jh787
16 Jan 17#31
It's free then... The BT line rental is payable anyway regardless.
To activate this service you will not be paying any more than you already are.
deany76 to jh787
16 Jan 17#32
BT used to charge a far bit for 'Caller Witheld barring' as part of your bill, from memory it was £40 a 1/4 so £160 a year. If my memory is correct - hot OP nice find.
Nuisance calls can cause A LOT of distress, especially to the elderly and vulnerable.
noahsdad
16 Jan 171#30
This sounds like a good service, and heat for the info/deal. However as a BT customer for phone/broadband for over 10yrs now, I know their business model and exactly how they work. They frequently update small print and change contracts fairly discretely. So while it is free now, just like the answering machine thing was once free, or caller ID display service used to be free, give it about 6 months, if that and you will suddenly find this being billed for monthly on your account if you don't pay attention to the detail and change of service notices.
pnaylor39
16 Jan 174#29
There's another way to stop nuisance calls which doesn't require any additional hardware or cost . If caller not in your phones address book don't answer ir reject. if goes voicemail and don't leave a message probably spam then you can add it to spam settings and won't get it. I make a point of not answering any numbers don't recognise. if it's important they'll leave a message, ring back or email me. zero cost
Strzelecki
16 Jan 17#28
Seems to be a bit of confusion here.
To get this service you must be paying BT retail for your line rental and calls (the free part is debatable as their line rental charge is already high).
If you pay another provider for your line rental or calls (via CPS) then this service will not be available to you but the provider may offer a similar service.
GodVilla
16 Jan 171#25
Is there anything like this for Plusnet?
Zontes to GodVilla
16 Jan 17#27
Just make sure that when changing anything that you are not committing to a new 12 month contract. Been caught out by BT before.
jh787
16 Jan 17#26
Can confirm it's free and there is no mention of a contract renewal whereas if you choose some of the other options there is a warning that it will start a new 12 month contract.
jdolliver77
16 Jan 173#24
Just unplug your landline, works a treat. Then on your mobile download Truecaller. It's free and doesn't include the BT bs!
backinstock
16 Jan 173#23
Before I sign up, will this definitely block calls from my wife?
eslick
16 Jan 17#22
might be a freebie on top of your line rental now but with BT track record nothing will stay free for long. As other have said as many of these muppets call from the UK just ban them, but oh you cant do that as BT will be charging them line rental
steveblackman
16 Jan 17#21
free, do you not realise nothing is free. if it was free bt wouldn't charge line rental. the price reflects this and will increase line rental even more.
freebiehunter
16 Jan 171#20
I've never paid for caller display, just phone bt each year and if you keep your contract with them they put it on free again
Bades
16 Jan 17#19
Caller display is not free Caller Display costs £1.75 per month but is free for 1 year
robot1000
16 Jan 175#9
Should be in freebies
Aeschylus to robot1000
16 Jan 1717#12
Ooo can I block people I know, like the mother in law?
Newbold to robot1000
16 Jan 17#14
That's a very good point, but having gone through the various screens it doesn't seem to. Worth checking with BT though.
jasee to robot1000
16 Jan 171#16
And I think this service is not free (you also have to pay BT to enable it)
Jaybeam to robot1000
16 Jan 17#18
Just mentioned on national news and stated as free service!
ysdevil
16 Jan 17#17
No you don't
ScubaDudes
16 Jan 17#15
Thanks, I have a cpr call blocker but some still get through. This will help.
Newbold
16 Jan 174#11
Not really - because you need a chargeable BT line to get it. It's not free to everyone.
Rbluesy123 to Newbold
16 Jan 171#13
Will placing an order for this free service count as starting another 12 month contract?
Sophiasky
16 Jan 171#10
Will let my parents know about this.
dozstanford
16 Jan 171#8
"To get Caller Display you’ll need a compatible Caller Display phone or Caller Display unit (look for the British Standards Mark), and ideally one that meets multi-standard Caller ID."
donslibi
16 Jan 171#7
Caller ID doesn't require a device either.
dozstanford
16 Jan 17#6
I noticed in the first post the service was free but I will admit I assumed that a device was required (as is with caller ID) for it to work which I again assumed probably wasn't (free)
donslibi
16 Jan 171#5
Just did this for our phone and can confirm its free, thanks OP
Newbold
16 Jan 1738#4
Actually, no. The service is free.
brendanhickey
16 Jan 1719#3
if ur on android the should I answer app does it this too. it's one of the best apps out there
dozstanford
16 Jan 1712#1
So instead of blocking the call ourselves or disconnecting their lines we thought we would make money from the scammers and then charge you to block them !
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
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Opening post
BT Call Protect helps to prevent unwanted nuisance calls. By managing your settings, you can decide which calls you want to send to a junk voicemail.
Customers with this service can send calls to their junk voicemail by setting the preferences below:
BT Blacklist - We've identified a list of nuisance callers. Calls from these numbers will be sent to your junk voicemail. Our blacklist will significantly cut the amount of unwanted calls you get. We’ll turn it on by default when you get BT Call Protect
Personal Blacklist - You can add the last call you answered from your home phone, or any other phone number at bt.com/btcallprotect > to your own blacklist. This means that any future calls from those numbers also go to your junk voicemail. This feature will also be automatically switched on, but won’t have any numbers until you add some
Individual Call Types - You can choose to send all calls from certain categories to your junk voicemail. The three call types are:
✓ International numbers
✓ Withheld numbers
✓ Unrecognised numbers (shown as 'unavailable' on caller display or on 1471)
If you don't already have BT Call Protect you can order it online at: https://www.bt.com/products/manage-phone/#change-your-calling-features >
Once you've got it, you can manage all your settings online via http://www.bt.com/BTCallProtect > or from your home phone by dialling 1572, which is free.
Top comments
Latest comments (325)
Their Accounts dept has never heard of customer service .
BT open reach look after the line as a separate company so it does not matter which provider you are with , other than BT will over all be more expensive, so it is worth looking at any other provider who will undoubtedly be cheaper and offer better service.
Let's try this , BT are the most wonderful company in the world and you should sell all your possessions and give your money to them.
They won't increase your bills , they won't use software to slow you down every Month, and they won't be fined by the Obudsman for failing to keep proper accounts or provide the speeds you are entitled to.
I'm with Vodafone and get loads of spam on my mobile..
Now it says to block last call received press 1 so you do
HOWEVER it always says we cannot blacklist this call as we could not identify the callers number WTF!
If BT can't what chance have I???
The rest I presume are using robodiallers, which just get stuck at the announce stage. Every so often I look at the call list and find lots of numbers, but the phone never rang. Perfect.
I have found the best option to be to use a phone with a built in call blocker like this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-Advanced-Blocker-Cordless-Machine/dp/B01CNOI46W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485428297&sr=8-3&keywords=bt+nuisance+call+blocker+phones
If someone calls that isn't in your phone book then the phone itself answers the call and asks them to identify themselves and press a button. Only once they have done that does your phone actually ring. When you answer you hear who is calling and decide whether to take the call. When I got it I wondered if any scam callers or telephone marketing companies would actually announce themselves. In practice they do not - and the system effectively blocks 100% of unwanted calls and allows through the calls I want. It really has been a worth while purchase.
This deals with the calls that TPS can't stop, so it's a no brainer if you're a BT customer - not worth moving to BT for, though. I'm sure all the other companies will bring it in soon enough.
The danger of blocking all calls from abroad or other sources is you might actually miss a call that was actually mean't for you.The other risk here is some companies are able to make it appear they are calling from a number that is not theirs. So it may appear as number X but really they may be calling from abroad on number Y.
The other trick they may also do is to play a dialing tone down the line to make you think they have hung up. In the hope you will dial your bank or another source and think they are it. Always use a different number or call a friend before being spooked into calling your bank.
The reality is over the phone you can never truly know who you are talking to. Chances are the person calling you will have no idea either. So the worst thing you can do is give them your name. At times it's better to just say hello or your number. Then let them guess who you are.
Also, international numbers with fake UK numbers actually are identified as international in caller ID, if your phone has the facility to show it. Mine just sends all internationals to the answering machine, and it works even with spoofed UK numbers.
block the number, and nothing in life is free, even if there is an odd one dodging paying by one means or another, the rest of us will pick the tab up, "well done"
To be clear: the "new 12 month contract" is for the Caller ID NOT Call Protect - and I'm going to argue this one out with them!!
Have you considered a little lie down? :wink:
Personally, I'm delighted BT are pushing their prices up, and so will a lot of others be - it's a convenient opportunity to end contracts and move elsewhere, with a load of cashback as a nice little bonus. :laughing:
BT inflation busting price hike
I think this should be in the free section too. Its more of an information share than a deal to me
(your provider) Virgin Media = £19.00
Yes deals exist with bundles and such but for line rental, which this offer is for, BT are not the most expensive (for once) and Sky are increasing their line rental in March
My landline is with Virgin, and the only reason I have it is because it's not any cheaper not to have it. I only need broadband from Virgin and would happily do without a landline completely. We actually have a FREE local area telephone number from a company called Sipgate which works like a pay-as-you go mobile deal, we top it up with about £10 every 18 months, we plug a normal telephone into a small box that then plugs into our broadband router. No line rental at all, and we only really use it to call the sister-in-law in New Zealand (at rates way cheaper than regular landline providers, hence only having to top it up so rarely).
You never bothered reading the OP or past comments did you ? you just thought you'd make stuff up.
Call protect will not affect/change or do anything with any contract, It's a free addon, it can be removed at anytime, why do people struggle to understand this ?
Reading this post now about free Call Protect, I can’t help but feel that it is part of a bigger plan from BT to eventually charge and then make money from their customers.
Scammers though are getting more clever, all they need is a phone number and they can see who the provider is, makes them seem more genuine when calling, they'll make it sound time senstive by saying unauthorised broadband action, demand answers off you or else your internet will be disconnected in 30 minutes.
I have to say that my home phone and mobile are becoming a nightmare with the levels of unsolicited calls.
The phone is one of the best things I've ever bought, gives me piece and quiet :sunglasses:
Sun is shining, weather is fine and no more nuisance calls. What a day! :smile:
I signed up today and it successfully added it
But when I click the link in the OP about managing settings; it takes me back to sign up page again
Cheers
Do you run some sort of cold calling company M1LFHunter and you're worried about your income or just too lazy to read the terms ?
They work well together, and BT's Call Protect just adds an extra layer of protection because it can deal with spammers who just change their spoofed number.
If only they'd sell femto like Voda.
----
Oh, and I f****g forgot to re-start free caller display since re-contracting in May 2016, so I've unwittingly been paying £1.75 for months. Still :smiley:
As part of taking out this service, I lost my Caller ID (BT Privacy at Home) on 03/01/17
I tried CS via chat and then BTCare on Twitter to get the service reinstated but got the same answer - I would have to recontract for 12 months to get Caller ID for free or pay for it.
Same thing happened to Fagin11.
So that's sharing an actual experience with this product and the associated loss of another (more useful) service that can occur - not misinformation.
I'll keep those magic beans for you :wink:
Stop spreading misinformation when you don't understand what you're saying. :wink:
Only with BT as there was a great cashback deal in August. As soon as my 12 months is up, I'm off - not getting suckered into a recontract.
The advisor made a mistake when adding it.
I wonder how many people who signed up for this have taken out a new 12 month line rental contract in order to keep their 'free' caller ID and haven't realised?
QM2 out of them
This seems really time consuming, isn't there a big list that BT already have of nuisance phone numbers and cant i just cut and paste that list into the numbers i want to block?
We've had them for about a year and have had zero nuisance calls since we got them.
A BT line is not exclusive to BT customers but the majority of the UK whom have a landline not with a cable provider.
The original post should be amended as it is a freebie to paying BT retail customers
I'd consider carefully before blocking all withheld numbers.
the phone puts all number withheld calls to an answerphone. It has four answerphone on it which you specify for specific functions. it also blocks all calls during a certain timerange apart from specified incoming numbers.
outgoing calls using voip cost less than 3pence a minute. the landline which is for fibre costs £10, unlimited fibre is costing £10.
may seem extreme but I was getting about 20 nuisance calls a day. I rarely get one now.
[02:31:33 PM] Me: So if I add Call Protect my contract length stays exactly as it is now?
[02:31:53 PM] Operator: Yes - exactly as now.
I am high sceptical that it won't start another 12 month contract, as there is no option to simply turn it on. You have to choose an 12 month option for called ID, which we already have so shouldn't need to select again.
As if living in Swindon wasn't punishment enough :smiley: #blackSpot
I'm interested in how well this works, and how they are monitoring and classifying nuisance calls. If its just globally based unverified CLI blacklist its going to be OK ..
Got one of ebay 2 years ago,has been great.
They'd got my number from something-or-other and the only bits of info they gave me was my email and address from 10+ years ago. I've never changed my number, told them it was well out of date - AND THAT I WAS UNDER 50...It was Sun Life! Someone must have sold them a gold list. Number squashed from their records and hopefully will go back to being not used for a long time. A decade ago I was ticking and unticking willy nilly, sadly the only thing I've carried is my number. Lucky if I get two calls like this a year.
Caller Display is given free as an optional extra, if you re-contract your line rental for 12 months, it's free for 12 months, after that it becomes chargable from month 13 at £1.75, It's also part of the notification emails, as the free period comes to an end you get notified by your preferred method of contact, notifying that the discount period is ending, it even contains a link to renew without speaking with an advisor if sent by email.
If you don't like to recontract you can change to 'Line Rental Plus' for an extra £2 per month, Caller Display is one of 7 free calling features you can have with for £2 more, previously it was £4.25 per month on its own, again can be removed at anytime with 30 days notice.
The BT group covers many companies, Openreach maintain the network, BT retail are a customer, as are Sky, TalkTalk and Plusnet (another BT company) and EE (another BT company)
This service is free for any BT landline customer (with or without broadband), without starting or changing any contract duration, when combined with 1571 you can enhance the extra features, such as VIP lists and even what time of day it covers, handy if you' work unsociable hours or even have a small child that sleeps through the day.
You would.
You don't.
They won't.
All landlines are owned by BT, I'm with sky BB no landline/telephone contract! So is this BT protect available to actual BT customers only or other providers also?
It used to work; the ocasional sales callimmediately apologised and hung up when told.
However, a fw years ago I switched our phone to BT (I've since left) and the number of nuisnace calls rocketed. They get round the TPS because it doesn't cover:
1. Calls that aren't sales calls; "Oh no, we're not selling anything. we'd just like to design a new kitchen/bathroom for you..."
2. Recorded messages "Press 1 to get a new boiler, press 2 to be removed from this list (but they never remove you), Press 3 to request a call" "Oh, we're only calling because you asked us to" "Yeah, that's becaue I pressed 2 to be removed from your list on each and every one of the 17 times to called me but still you keep calling"
3. Calls from "MIcrosoft" (or whoever it is this month) offering to fix my computer if I'll just navigate to...
OK, 3 is just a scam calling from abroad but I cannot understand why 'non-sales' calls and recorded message are legal even though I'm registered with the TPS.
I have tried making a complaint to the TPS but they usually tell me the businesses can't be traced (despite me giving their phone number and in some cases their address!).
It'll involve a couple of new phones because something tells me it won't work on Windows Phone!
Most people with a BT line will not get ths service unless BT allows it to be free on all BT lines, which it does not.
Landline telephones in the UK are mainly either BT lines or cable (Virgin) lines, very few companies do non BT lines! This offer is not free
You know you can never block or get away from the mother in law :stuck_out_tongue:
As PlusNet advertise religiously on TV all the time ...
I find voicemail messages to be hideously long "Hello. You've reached me {I knew that!} but I'm not in {I know that too!}. I only work Mondays, Thursdays and every fourth Friday {boring!}. If you leave your name. address, DOB, your pet's name, blah, blah, blah, I will get back to you some time when it suits me"
Life's too short for that nonsense.
maxmix
This is bad for the majority of telemarketers, because their outbound diallers can't cope with having to press a key to connect the call. We've gone from at least 1 spam call a day to nothing in weeks. Not they they haven't stopped trying. We just get lots of missed call notifications now - the calls that didn't connect. My only worry is there are legitimate calls trying to get through, but anyone who knows us has our mobile numbers.
There is no fee for this - the main feature is built into the phone. But having this call protect service would (hopefully) further reduce the spam calls coming through to us.
Battle begins to block millions of nuisance calls
http://a.msn.com/r/2/AAlTWjY?a=1&m=EN-GB
Most of the calls I get now are spoofed numbers, completely random and different every time. Usual giveaway is the five digit number after the code, very uncommon here in the UK, but a ten digit number being the norm in many EU countries.
I googled one a while ago, the dialling code presented turned out, by pure chance, to be a fake dialling code reserved for use in television and film productions... and BT allow these callers to inject this obviously fake CLI into a real phone call.
I think that sums the whole thing up. BT make money out of these calls, and will not do anything to block these spoofed CLI calls at source, they have to be answered, or at least diverted to voicemail so that BT always get their call termination fee. The only problem for the customer is that the system will never be able to intercept randomly generated spoofed numbers.
IMHO BT should not allow spoofed numbers from internet or international origin, and only with very good reason for calls originating in the UK. Certainly not for marketing purposes.
The latest round of frequencies are coming up for auction, and there is a petition to stop BT getting more than 30 %, as it will just make the market more uncompetitive.
On the land line broadband the reason why most of us have slow speeds is BTs reluctance to upgrade.
As to nuisance calls,
going ex directory with caller display and telephone preference helps. I answer with just Hello. If its a nuisance call I say where did you get this number from. Hardly have any problem, and if they rarely call they get short shrift.
Honestly, Im lucky if I get one nuisance call per quarter.
It's a nice idea by BT but I just don't trust BT to handle call blocking
Seems to me that'd be a lovely source of revenue for BT shareholders.....
I'm with TPS, but I still get calls about PPI, Gas Boilers, Microsoft PC, home improvement etc. and those annoying "goodbye" messages. I'll give this BT initiative a try at least. Thanks to the poster.
Cant remember last time I had a nuisance call on the mobile.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/50t/CPR-Call-Blocker-V108-Blocking-Programmed-Unwanted/B004BTVQ5E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484576301&sr=8-2&keywords=cpr+call+blocker
Spoofing numbers is an indication of the bad design of the caller display system and thus the security aspect is poor as well. I don't answer the calls at home, at work we get spam calls and we don't have a caller display system enabled so I must spend 10 minutes a day telling people to F Off.
In practice I find there's almost no nuisance calls, automated callers aren't able to get pass the prompt and most human callers I suspect don't bother going through the system as they know you're not going to answer the call anyway. In all those cases, the phone simply doesn't ring which is a much better solution than having standard caller id, going to the phone each time and deciding whether to answer it or not. The system is easily disabled as well from the phone so if there's times when you're expecting a call and want to make sure it gets through you can temporarily turn it off then back on again as needed.
The only service the system needs to function is caller ID although if you stay with BT 12 months at a time they give it for free, I assume it would work fine with other providers as well if there's caller ID on the line.
John
Has worked 100% for us in the last year since we got them, and they didn't seem to be much more than any other DECT phone.
I tell him he needs to switch from BT as nothing changed even though he complained but he's stuck in his ways...
Jokes on them though. When he starts telling them a story, their the ones that can't get away from him. Talk for England that lad.
Has worked 100% for us in the last year since we got them, and they didn't seem to be much more than any other DECT phone.
The only way I can see for effectively stopping spam calls is better vetting when numbers are purchased. It seems like it shouldn't be hard to throw up enough barriers to make scam calls commercially unviable.
As M5rcc says, scammers will just get around it. Take out a BT line with this feature and dial themselves periodically to check if they are blacklisted before taking out a new number. You can automate the whole thing with a decent system.
Blocking withheld numbers is also stupid, as a lot of people use it for genuine purposes such as NHS (GPs, Dentists, NHS Direct) and also a lot of businesses (Including your child's schools)
It's impossible to stop scammers without using a whitelist which has it's own problems. With marketing calls from genuine companies (I.e. Vodafone, RAC, etc) just tell them you want to be removed from their marketing. They have to comply and after a few calls just threaten with legal action. I've had many companies remove me from their marketing doing this.
A better but more impractical system would be to have a call screening service which answers with something like "To connect your call, press 123" which is random each time or set by the user. If successful it then connects.
If someone calls you and don't recognise the number, then don't answer it. If it's important, they'll leave a voicemail and/or find a different way to get in touch. It's not that difficult..
I'm sure if you have some groundbreaking idea to block ALL nuisance calls, even on new number ranges, they would be all ears (but the solution does not and cannot exist, you can spoof the call to any number you like if you know how, even so it comes from old Betty's phone down the road)
What I'm after is a call blocker for my Cooke and Wheatstone telegram machine
Had one last week asking about the misted-up windows I had, when I said I didn't have misted windows he said "I suppose you're sat at home watching tv and doing sod all" I said "Yes.. .all day " He rang off.
Checked his number, blocked him.
I expect after a free period of a year or two that gives customers the chance to see just how valuable this service is that it will cease being free.
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/number_type.html
It's illegal for companies to call you without your permission if you register your number with TPS. If they do, tell them they're breaking the law. I used to get several a day as well but after registering my number with them, I get maybe one a month.
The downside is that you can no longer lead a cold caller on that they could be on to a potential sale and tell them to F.O. when you're done playing with them.
BT 1571 service used to be free, now they charge £2.25 per month.
It's far cheaper to buy a phone with an answering machine built in.
How long until they start to charge for this?
Can enter mobile numbers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/item/94720c86-e60c
Sorry but I'm voting this cold.
Kind regards.
If my kids' school calls me, because of the way their switchboard works the number will be with-held.
I've given them our mobile numbers but there is no reception in some parts of the house.
So if I use this service I might miss an urgent call.
Problem not solved. :-(
get a lot of important ones too , hospitals , carers, doctors etc.
To activate this service you will not be paying any more than you already are.
Nuisance calls can cause A LOT of distress, especially to the elderly and vulnerable.
To get this service you must be paying BT retail for your line rental and calls (the free part is debatable as their line rental charge is already high).
If you pay another provider for your line rental or calls (via CPS) then this service will not be available to you but the provider may offer a similar service.