What to do about missed call?

[Greengrassonhighroad]

I received a call a few minutes ago. I didn't recognise the number so I did not pick up. I wasn't expecting a call either.

I think my number was compromised in a data breech a few weeks ago and lately I have been getting calls. I don't answer them.

I got a call but this number is different. It has a local area code.

I googled the number but there isn't an establishment coming up online that has this number.

Not a lot of people have my number. I am thinking maybe it could be the house phone from an aunt but I don't know. I am not at home to check to see if my mother got a call or if she recognises the number.

Do I call the number back or leave it? Or maybe if I get a second call I will pick up.

I’d burn your phone and get a new contract and a new number.

😂

OP, I’ve had two weird calls today. One from a Leicestershire number and one from Spain! I didn’t answer either. I just watched them ring, then googled the numbers. 😆 It did feel like it would’ve been easier just to answer...

I don’t understand why you just didn’t answer the phone

@sunflowersandbuttercups

Absolutely, but my question is whether there's any way that ringing a number with your local geographic code could ever end up with you being charged a premium rate. I've googled but can't find any way that would happen.

Because it's not actually a local number.

It looks like one, but when you ring it back, you're connected to someone abroad or in a call centre. It's the same way people can call you from "UK mobile numbers" that actually aren't in the UK.

Generally they rely on people answering rather than calling them back, though.

But that isn't how numbers work is it?

Say I live in Manchester and ring an 0161prefix number how could that end up being a premium rate. I'm interested as I get spam calls that are pretending to be local and occasionally if I think there's a possibility it might be a genuine call I'll ring back so wondering if this has ever happened. All the information I can find says that all UK geographic numbers are free under my contract. There no mention that it could ever be chargable, I'm with ee, is it different for other providers?

Lots of scams using local area codes and what seem to be residential phone numbers.
If it is someone genuinely trying to reach you they'll ring back.

@FlyingBurrito

Scammers use the number as a front. It's not the number you see in the screen they are calling from.

I would ring it back but put 141 in front to hide your number you’ll soon know if it’s a cold caller or someone you know.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

I’d burn your phone and get a new contract and a new number.

Witness protection at the very least.

The answerphone on our landline plays the following message to all callers:

"Hello. Due to the high volume of spam calls that we receive on this number, we no longer answer this phone. Family and friends, please call us on our mobiles. Anyone else, please leave a message after the tone, and we will call you back. Thank you for calling."

It's quite remarkable how few genuine calls we receive; indeed, I think we had precisely one within the last three months. I heartily recommend a similar course of action to any mobile phone owner whose landline is plagued with spammers.

Say I live in Manchester and ring an 0161prefix number how could that end up being a premium rate.

Because it's a fake number - these companies buy up loads of empty numbers.

@sunflowersandbuttercups

Say I live in Manchester and ring an 0161prefix number how could that end up being a premium rate.

Because it's a fake number - these companies buy up loads of empty numbers.

I know the numbers are fake but you aren't explaining how ringing a number with a valid dialing code could end up with you being charged any kind of premium rate. How could that happen?

www.connect-communications.co.uk/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-a-telephone-number/

says "I’m starting with these as they are still the most recognisable in the UK, basically if the number you are dialling starts with 01 or 02 then it is classed as a geographic number and you will only ever be charged as such by your telecoms provider, there’s no sneaky way of getting additional charges pushed back onto the caller with these type of calls."

I know this is a slightly old blog but I can't find anything that contradicts it, where have you found your info please

@FlyingBurrito

It's a scam where they use software to display a local (to you) number, whilst calling from the arse end of nowhere. It's not a geographical number they are using, they just make you think they are. You can google 'spoof number scam' or similar.