Selective call barring

[David WE Roberts]

[X-post to uk.d-i-y beause they know everything :-)]

We are having problems with nuisance calls from a known number.

Our current telephone supplier, Virgin Media, say they cannot block individual numbers.

Google so far hasn't been a lot of help, but I have found 'Selective Call barring' on a BT Business product.

So:

(1) Do any telecom providers of land lines offer selective call barring to domestic customers? (2) If not, is there non-PC based equipment which can impliment this based on caller ID? (3) If not, can anyone recommend a computer package which can manage incoming calls and reject or anwer without a ring (possibly with a message).

TIA

Dave R

P.S. I know you can do some of this with mobile handsets - on my Sony K750i I have a 'white list' function which only allows calls from selected contacts. I would prefer a 'blacklist' but something is better than nothing.

[dennis]

Report it as nuisance calls and get them stopped. It is a criminal offence to make nuisance calls.

[R. Mark Clayton]

Yes - BT - = Choose to Refuse

n/a

see above.

[David WE Roberts]

Would you care to say how it can be stopped if the telephone provider does not have that facility?

[JoeJoe]

but does what you are after (and much more). I seem to recall it been discussed here after the appearance on Dragon's Den. Try a search.

[David WE Roberts]

Thanks for that - it looks like just what we want. We would, of course, have to change phone suppliers but that is acceptable. If Virgin don't provide a feature they lose our business.

We will wait a bit before switching, however, because if there is a PC based answering service (especially if the software is free) we can implement this with potential extra benefits and keep our current (feature poor) phone service.

[David WE Roberts]

Thanks - another option but as you say a bit pricey.

I am currently trying to find PC software which does the same job. I have read about it on one NG but can't find it at the moment.

[Huge]

Yes. BT. Google for "Choose to refuse".

[Frank Erskine]

The problem is that your nuisance caller would just have to withhold his number and hence 'get through', unless of course you also withold anonymous calls ... ;-)

[Huge]

Just speak to BT's "Nuisance Caller" unit - number in the front of the directory - they're very helpful.

[Jim K]

what stops you just nailing the nuisancer as you know the number?

Jim K

[Robin]

Have you spoken to Virgin Media's Nuisance Call Bureau on 0800 953

3333? It's possible they will have access to facilities that the customer service people on 150 cannot offer. Indeed, I'd be amazed in VM cannot block a number given the need to act against malicious calls - which isn't the same thing as giving you the facility to do so.

[Phil L]

he's with Virgin....

[Phil L]

If it's a company, register with TPS, if it's an individual, tell the police.

[David WE Roberts]

Yes, I have spoken to them. I was amazed that they couldn't do it.

[David WE Roberts]

Choose to Refuse can block withheld numbers as well. Basically, "I don't know who that was but don't take any more calls from that number".

[David WE Roberts]

And if it is someone you know and you don't want to involve the police?

[J B]

Get caller ID and than don't answer it?

[Theo Markettos]

Or get a handset where you can assign different ringtones to different callers. Assign a ringtone of 'silent' to the offending number.

(I know mobiles can do this - given the complexity of modern DECT handsets perhaps one of those will do it)

Theo

[Jethro]

tbh ISTM that landline handsets are about a century behind mobiles ... there are so many features even a cheap mobile gives you, that would be brilliant on a landline handset

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