to think that even if I change my phone number the problem will still occur?

[sixlostmonkeys]

I have always received 'junk' calls on my landline, just like everyone else. I have been able to put a stop to many of them via all the methods available. However, over the past week or so I am receiving between 10-20 daily calls from cold callers who escape the usual nets- overseas auto-dial (number not recognised)
These calls are really beginning to affect my work (and sleep) and so I 'have' to do something. The only options I can think of are grtting rid of the landline altogether, which would cause some inconvenience or changing my number. Aibu in thinking a number change would not prevent these calls if they are auto-dial? Most of these cold callers know my name so do they only auto-dial from a list they have 'obtained'?

Are you with BT? They do telephone preference service which is free and very good. Sounds like you are getting a huge amount of calls - do you have caller display - if all else fails that might be worth having as you could screen your calls and not answer any withheld nos or numbers you don't recognise.

I am surprised that the callers know your name. Definitely change your number, go ex Directory and register for the TPS service.

I'm with virgin media. I don't have caller display, but this wouldn't help as it's the phone actually ringing that disturbs me ( I have various, sometimes humourous ways of dealing with them once I've answered!)
I am exdirectory already, but I guess at some stage my number was 'sold'. I've already got TPS but these calls escape it.
I listened into one of the calls, there must have been a cross line and somehow I wasn't cut off, I heard the numbers being rung and then when someone answered the operator started with their patter. They knew all the names and all the names during that session began with the same letter as my surname. (I admit to having a bit of fun for a few minutes by interupting the patter with random words - the operator hadn't a clue what was going on)
One of the calls I had yesterday was the one where they tell you your Microsoft windows has been infected and they want to help you.....

TPS only prevents calls originating from within the UK.

Unfortunately, as the OP says, companies get around this by calling from outside the UK. There's no legislation atpresent that they are breaking so it's legal.

The only suggestion I have - an it is a bit sledgehammer - would be to ask VM to block all incoming foreign calls. Unless they can block calls from individual countries and you know which ones are the culprits.

As an aside, I'm with VM, registered with TPS and I get this maybe once or twice a year. Maybe your name and number have ended up on a calling list, in which case changing your number could be another solution.

thanks lionrock. Once or twice a year I could cope with! Hopefully a new number would solve the problem as it seems to prove with you they are not targetting ALL numbers iyswim.
half the calls this week aren't actually getting through - the phone goes dead. the other half that get through know my name. So I'll monitor it for a few more days and if it continues in the same pattern then I'll have to change my number.
I did google, then thought I'd post here, just to see really whether there is a known 'spurt' of these calls over the past week or so.

I'm also ex-dir and am a bit obsessive about not giving out my number unless I have to so that may also be part of it for me. You know, you are filling in a form and they ask for lots of personal details... I don't give any info unless I can see a reason how it is genuinely needed or it benefits me.

I'm the same tbh, and for years I never received any calls then all at once it started.
I never give my number. I've had interesting conversations in the past with (for eg) a salesman who while selling me a cooker/washer/TV asks for my phone number for his paperwork. I ask for a genuine reason he would need it and they usually just look at me blankly and say oh, people usually just tell me their number.
I've only given it out where necessary, eg when a delivery needs confirming, or works people needs confirmation of a start date. Despite me always stressing to them that they must not pass my number on, I suspect one of these have done.

During the course of this thread my phone has gone four times!

urn the ringer off when you do not want to be disturbed? If you do answer and it is a cold caller, just say 'hang on a sec...' place the handset on the side and carry on with your life. Hang up after an hour or two. If you have a small child, hand cold callers over to them, they love a chat on the phone.

*turn

I'm having the same trouble. We are registered with TPS, but the callers seem to be from overseas. They say they are with British Consumers. I have been very direct every single time they ring, telling them I do not want to be called by them ever again, but it makes no difference. I don't know what to do now.

Turn the ringer off on the landline when you're sleeping.

Get a cheap PAYG mobile to give out to school/partner/close friends etc to use only in emergencies.

Are these the annoying calls that tell you there's something wrong with your computer? I've had quite a few of these over the past couple of weeks.

Telling them not to phone makes no difference does it ilovejudgejudy? They really don't care. A lot are scams, like the microsoft windows one I mentioned. This one goes on to ask for access to your PC so that they can 'fix it' for you. Of course what they do is lock you out of your own pc, change all the settings and take everything you have. Talking to them, shouting or whatever, means nothing - they simply move on to the next number which they hope will be answered by someone who falls for it.

You can amuse yourself with some of them. In the past I have - when they tried to sell me a kitchen I tried to sell them toothpaste. the convo went something like do you like your job? yes. You sound like a happy person. yes I am. I bet you have a nice smile, would you like to keep that smile by buying some of my toothpaste. A few times I have gone along with the patter and agreed that yes indeed I would love a new kitchen/windows/mortgage until it gets to the crucial bit (after having wasted a lot of their time) where I suddenly announce "Oh! I must go now. the nurse is here with my meds"

Don't know if this would be any use but a while ago we had huge problems with getting unwanted phone calls.
Virgin media set up on our phone line a bar on all numbers that were number withheld.
Perhaps an option?

6LM - I hope you get this sorted soon, it sounds like a bluddy nightmare.

I agree that these companies don't care if you ask them to leave you alone. They are not ligit, it's like replying to spam emails selling viagra asking them to take you off their lists... they just make a note that it's a live email address and inundate you.

It is becoming a bit of a nightmare! It's going to send me potty if it carries on (not potty already)

PQR - these calls escape the number withhed service.

Totempole - I have considered getting a mobile instead. The only problem is I detest mobile phones. We just don't get on at all! :)
Unfortunately I am unable to switch the ringer off or ignor the ringing. I would only sit/lay there convinced that someone needs me and it's a life/death situation that only I can help with......(still not potty)