Nuisance caller attempts increasing again

Would it be less annoying if you had a tone dial phone, still got the same 10 calls, even though you pressed 8 every time?

(or more likely got more than 10 calls since you have now verified that the number they are calling is actually being answered and listened to by a human, and so is actually more valuable to a cold caller than an unverified number!)

Unfortunately, legit UK based callers seem to be the minority. The biggest number seem to be automated followed by calls with the character of the 'sub-continent'.

I still can't understand why the same principles cannot be applied that are used for spam filtering. Apart from a blacklist, what about algorithms to spot suspicious patterns? If CLI number is invalid, block. If overseas call carries UK CLI, block. If more that 20 calls are generated in one minute divert the next call to the operator. If number of dropped calls exceeds a threshhold, block. There must be other warning signs.

Would you not have to establish knowledge and find the 'controlling mind'?

If you take your car for an MOT and the garage uses a stolen oil filter, I don't imagine you would relish being held liable for theft.

Yes, exactly.

I don't believe there are any "legit" UK based cold callers.

They should have checked this before.

I have often heard this argument being presented but I am not convinced. If someone really does not want cold calls then there's no benefit to any business to keep calling them.

You want to censor phone calls now? What happens when you start blocking legitimate calls by mistake? If you want to block them then use a call blocker.

That's because the telephone preference service works.

Yes, in exactly the same way as I expect my ISP to filter junk at the server end. What about vulnerable people? Do they not deserve protection?

BT sold all the exchange buildings back in 2000 while most people were still on dial-up

Thanks. I have forgotten that I registered. It's easier than I thought to check.

But where do you draw the line between protecting the vulnerable and letting the rest of us get on with life ?

they certianly use teh same buildings round here as they have always done. Are you saying they now lease them from somebody else?

If you want cold calls then I would not objecr if you want be able to opt-in to them. I just believe that the majority of us should not be so afflicted.

FSVO "works".

So, who owns the exchange buildings that the current ADSL DSLAMS are all in, now?

Excellent idea. You could even refine the service to allow Jethro to select whether he wants double glazing, a new energy efficient boiler, advice about his Internet, unregulated investment schemes etc. The results could be posted online to assist call centres.

Openreach which "isn't" BT.