Test & Trace calls

Stevie77 · 2021-07-05T11:41:08+00:00

Is there a legal to answer their calls when isolating? Quite frankly, they’re doing my head in and I don’t want to speak to them anymore but they’ve rung 3 times today so far and I’m guessing won’t stop calling until I speak to them. It’s harassment.

pud12342 · 05/07/2021 13:15

I have tested positive along with my 2dd’s. Since Saturday I have answered 9 calls and missed 7 calls from them. I have asked each time they have called if it is a legal obligation. I was told by 3 that it was, By 3 that it isn’t and the others didn’t know either way. I have asked for the legislation to be sent to me and have been told that they can’t send anything in writing but I was given a URL that lead me to this. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1045/regulation/4 I opened the url whilst on the phone and asked which bit confirmed that it was a legal obligation at which point the advisor said that all the info is there and I will just have to pay a fine and put the phone down on me. One advisor did say they have been working there a year and they have never received a straight answer from their superiors.

Original poster

Stevie77 · 05/07/2021 13:50

Wow this is ridiculous. I think I’m going to see how it pans out then write to my MP for her to investigate.

I’m isolating due to being positive too and frankly, them calling me everyday to check up on me is annoying and intrusive and does nothing to help them anyway because they’ve no way of knowing where I am, so it’s counterproductive.

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pud12342 · 05/07/2021 14:53

I couldn’t agree more. The calls have now stopped for the day. I have no doubt they will start again tomorrow. They started again at 8.05am this morning.

Lostinacloud · 05/07/2021 14:55

I have read that if you say you don’t agree to sharing your data with them that they don’t call anymore but this is anecdotal so not sure if it works for sure. May be worth a try.

gamerchick · 05/07/2021 14:55

Man they're harsh where you are. After that first day none of us have heard a peep. Despite being in a north east hotspot.

Original poster

Stevie77 · 05/07/2021 14:59

@Lostinacloud

I have read that if you say you don’t agree to sharing your data with them that they don’t call anymore but this is anecdotal so not sure if it works for sure. May be worth a try.

I’ll give that a try! I just missed the fourth call today so if they try again I’ll state that I refuse to share my data with them from now on and hopefully they’ll go away.

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Suranjeep · 05/07/2021 15:00

Just tell them to fuck off etc be rude to them.

pud12342 · 05/07/2021 15:00

I have told them that I will not be sharing data but they are still calling. I may be getting it in triplicate as my 2dd’s are under my mobile number

chesirecat99 · 05/07/2021 15:56

DS was being driven crazy by them calling several times a day from 8am. He told them to stop calling because he was barely able to get out of bed, let alone leave the house, and they were hampering his recovery by waking him up multiple times a day when he was trying to sleep. It seems to have worked.

Trinxsy · 05/07/2021 16:03

Hi so I worked for test and trace for a few months. We have to ring 10 times a day if we can't get through to you unless there is a reason (e.g you're unable to speak because you're so ill and there's nobody else we can speak to). There is no legal obligation to answer the calls but there is a legal obligation to isolate of course. You can just block the number, nothing will happen :)

Frazzled2207 · 05/07/2021 16:09

Wow. So if we speak to them do they then lay off? Or keep calling? To check you've not left the house?

I do wonder what the point is when it's clearly spreading so quickly anyway

Trinxsy · 05/07/2021 16:11

So they call on day 4, day 7 and day 10. Day 10 is the quickest call as its just to see if you're feeling alright and okay to leave isolation. At most, the calls take 5 minutes. It's literally just to repeat information you already know. If you answer them, just say yes no and rush off the phone, they won't harass you. The more you ignore, the more they call unfortunately.

floatingboater · 05/07/2021 16:22

Out of interest what number do they call from? We had a call from a withheld number yesterday on the house phone that I didn't answer and they kept ringing repeatedly. Everyone I know has my mobile number!

HarrietOh · 05/07/2021 16:25

I had 0 phone calls after I tested positive last November.

pud12342 · 05/07/2021 16:36

0300 013 5000

chesirecat99 · 05/07/2021 16:46

@Trinxsy

So they call on day 4, day 7 and day 10. Day 10 is the quickest call as its just to see if you're feeling alright and okay to leave isolation. At most, the calls take 5 minutes. It's literally just to repeat information you already know. If you answer them, just say yes no and rush off the phone, they won't harass you. The more you ignore, the more they call unfortunately.

DS was called everyday from day 1 at 8am, then several times during the day until he complained. He answered every call

gamerchick · 05/07/2021 18:26

@floatingboater

Out of interest what number do they call from? We had a call from a withheld number yesterday on the house phone that I didn't answer and they kept ringing repeatedly. Everyone I know has my mobile number!

I got mine from a number that came up as clanfield bowls and sports club. He did explain but was bemused at the time.

Original poster

Stevie77 · 05/07/2021 20:00

Okay so they called again and I picked up. Told the guy on the phone that I’m no longer agreeing to share my data with them and that the daily phone calls are a bit much. He was really nice about it TBH (I’d never be rude to them, like someone suggested, they’re only doing their job) and didn’t go through the whole of the usual spiel.

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3teens2cats · 05/07/2021 20:03

My ds is positive and they haven't called him once. He filled in the online contacts form and we all received our isolation emails but that's it. No further contact and we are 3 days in now.

Drivingbuttercup1 · 05/07/2021 20:10

Ds tested positive and we had the initial phone call on day 1 and was told to expect further calls. Never heard from then again. In the north west

Use627 · 05/07/2021 20:19

Block the number

whataballbag · 06/07/2021 08:55

DS tested positive just over a week ago and they've rang twice, always seem bemused when I say no you can't speak to him he's 7

This mornings one asked me to inform him that he is responsible for ensuring members of his household self isolate 🙃

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 06/07/2021 11:17

I rarely have my mobile turned up so they'd have a problem getting hold of me!

Metacat · 06/07/2021 12:27

It's the scripted spiel that does for me. Only been called once a day so far across 2 days of quarantine, but already irritated by it and itching to interrupt.

BUT...

People questioning the law, citing harassment, and recommending telling them to F-off?! Or complaining cos they've turned off their phone and are surprised they try again because of that?!

I wouldn't be surprised if they make a note of who answers when and how they respond, and that actually shapes how many calls you get, so doing that could be counter-productive in the end.

If you're well, just politely take the call a day; if it's more often, just politely ask them not to call any more.

And if you're unwell, then absolutely be a LOT firmer - it's ridiculous and needs to stop in that context... but it's still not harassment, and doesn't justify abusing people for simply doing their jobs.

That WOULD be closer to harassment.

SandyStarfish · 06/07/2021 12:35

I work for T&T. Just answer the phone and we'll go away. How hard is it? We're just doing our job. And it isn't the nicest job in the world to carry out. Believe me don't like reading all the data protection spiel etc out, but we have to.