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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Instant response to scammers...five calls this morning!

91 replies

rosepoet · 19/12/2018 11:26

I have[ successfully] tried loud barking- the phone goes dead immediately. But they are really driving me barking mad. Trying to scam people like me into handing over my banking details is vile. Any advice?

OP posts:
Muffinbutton · 19/12/2018 12:52

I hung up on one last week and she had the balls to call me back to ask (very rudely!) why I'd hung up!

Sadly I'm also getting a lot of calls at the moment from an old lady. She asks for someone different each time. I think she might have dementia. She's very sweet and apologetic that she has the wrong number, but then calls straight back again and we repeat the conversation.

AdamNichol · 19/12/2018 12:59

Start your own lengthy discussion upon letting god into their lives. Or demand they talk dirty to you. Either gets them off the line sharpish.

However, your number is on a database that gets continually sold around the world. There is no blacklist.

QueenCity · 19/12/2018 13:03

Sign up to the telephone preference service. It will take a few months for you to feel the full effect but it will eventually stop the calls.

BMW6 · 19/12/2018 13:29

Telephone preference service is no use at all if the caller is overseas.

QuinionsRainbow · 19/12/2018 13:40

Telephone preference service is no use at all if the caller is overseas.
Telephone Preference Service is no use at all if the caller chooses to ignore it.
Indeed, I'm tempted to say that Telephone Preference Service is no use at all!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 19/12/2018 15:31

You need a nice seasonal one for this time of year ... tell them you're thrilled they called and you want to tell them about Jesus and how they can invite him into their lives

Dairyqueen2 · 19/12/2018 15:40

Say that you're very interested but busy just now. Ask them for their home number so you can call back in the evening to chat about it ...

Roystonv · 19/12/2018 15:51

We joined the telephone preferential service years ago and yes it only works with companies who give two hoots but better than nothing however the fault on the phone scam has been a great nuisance over the last few weeks; very rp voice recording today when before it has been a foreign call centre type recording which as horrid as it is to say it usually means trouble. Hate to think how many elderly are being taken in/worried by them.

dreamingofsun · 19/12/2018 15:52

i think you can find what number they are calling from and report them and also block them if you dial 1571 when they are on the phone. i have also said i was on the other line and asked for their number so i could call them back (only cause i wanted to report them)

hellsbellsmelons · 19/12/2018 15:54

Just pick up the phone, put to the side and get on with what you were doing.
Don't engage at all.
Let them talk away with you not there, not listening.
Or.........
Answer your phone saying... FBI fraud division

MirandaGoshawk · 19/12/2018 15:55

With the ones about my computer I have said I don't have a computer. My FIL has a lot of entertainment from these calls - he once told someone he has no electricity and cooks using candles! I have also got angry, but I don't any more unless it's a "We're going to cut off your broadband" type of call. That makes me really angry! But these people are working long shifts, often at night in their country, to support themselves, so I try not to not be rude, and just say that I'm not interested.

corlan · 19/12/2018 15:58

I'm very proud that I managed to string the conversation out so long once that the scammer got fed up with me and told me off for wasting his time.
Lately, I just ask them what their family think of them doing a job where they try and steal off old people.They always hang up.

SeeMoreStars · 19/12/2018 15:58

For the you've had an accident ones I say "yes, that's right, I died." Usually works. got that idea from on here

MarklahMarklah · 19/12/2018 16:07

I just try to waste as much of their time as possible by either pretending to be really stupid and not understanding, or asking load and loads of questions about whatever it is they're trying to do, or asking them if they think that their families would be proud of them stealing money from people to make a living.

DeezMutts · 19/12/2018 16:09

Hang up

Dial 1572

Follow instructions to block number

Babdoc · 19/12/2018 16:14

I used to get overseas ones with Nigerian accents trying to pretend they’re from Microsoft and want to remotely access my laptop.
I eventually got so irritated I told them God was listening and they would burn in Hell for their crimes. They hung up, and I didn’t get called again!

Clarich007 · 19/12/2018 16:15

Hang up the phone then immediately dial 1572.The number is then added to your personal black list.It does work but some of the more persistant ones just organise another phone number.It's very easy.

MagnificentSevenHeaven · 19/12/2018 16:18

I use "CallBlacklist" on my phone.

You can block individual numbers or just "numbers starting with" - all my spam calls were coming from Manchester & Liverpool, so I've blocked all calls from those area codes.

If I did have friends there, I could Whitelist their numbers so they could still get through....

Iflyaway · 19/12/2018 16:22

I put down the phone and leave them to ramble on while getting on with what I was doing.

Worked a treat! Smile

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 19/12/2018 16:22

Not the subject of the thread but if I get a "I've been told you've been in a road Accident" call I just go along with it enthusiastically for ages then cut them off,it amuses me no end

CruCru · 19/12/2018 16:32

In the past I’ve failed to understand them. They hate that.

TeacupDrama · 19/12/2018 16:36

" if you are lying to me and others you will be answerable to God on the day of Judgment"

AlanThePig · 19/12/2018 16:37

I've recently started telling them I'm 13. Seems to have the desired effect as they put the phone down rapidly. Except for one who then asked about an accident. Told them I'd fallen over a hula hoop on the playground. They put the phone down as well.

Pinkginxx · 19/12/2018 16:38

I answer all the questions honestly and politely - in Welsh.
Seems to do the trick

MrsMoastyToasty · 19/12/2018 16:38

Tell them that you have no money and are about to become bankrupt.

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