Home Phone Nuisance Calls Guide

We're sorry to hear that you are receiving nuisance calls through your PlusNet Home Phone service. There are a few things you can do before we start to investigate this further:

Nuisance call tips

1. Don't answer the phone with your name or number. Also, don't give your name and number in any answering machine messages you have.
2. Make sure the caller tells you who they are first - a genuine caller won't mind doing this.
3. Don't give out any personal details, unless you know and trust the caller.
4. If the caller asks 'what number is this?’ don't tell them, but ask what number they wanted.
5. Keep calm - remember that you're in control. Don't show any signs of panic or worry to the caller.
6. If you say 'hello' and get no reply, don't try talking to the caller.
7. Either hang up, lie the phone down and ignore it for a few minutes, or unplug the phone as soon as you realise that the call is a nuisance call.
8. Use an answering machine to screen incoming calls. Never programme an answering machine to say you are at home, on holiday etc.
9. Use 1471 to attempt to find out who is making the nuisance calls.
10. If you get a nuisance call, press a number on your phone to make it sound like you're starting a call trace. Then say 'I've started a trace on the call' as if speaking to someone else in the room.
11. If you're female, don't put your first name or marital status in the phone book.
    

Silent Calls

Most silent calls are from call centres using automated dialling machines. These calls are not malicious, but can be very irritating. You can reduce the number of silent calls you receive by registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). Go to http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ to register.

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