What type of Nuisance Calls are there?

Silent & Dropped Calls

You go to answer your phone and the line is dead, call is dropped immediately, or you hear noise in the background, but no one is talking. These calls can be very disturbing--who knows who is on the line! Although sometimes these calls can be malicious, usually they are call centers using an auto-dialer to check if your personal telephone number is still in use and valid for resale. These calls are usually made from a withheld number, and hence cannot be blocked unless you have the Block My Call.

Calls from withheld, unavailable or private numbers

A lot of call centers dial out from a withheld number. Especially the types of call centers who do not abide by the official “Do Not Call” register: The Telephone Preference Service. Some international calls do not show their caller ID, displaying only as “unavailable”. This makes it tricky to find out details on the company, and so the Telephone Preference Service is unable to prevent calls from international call centers. Our service allows you to stop all of these calls.

Live sales and marketing calls from domestic Companies.

Once you have opted out of receiving sales and marketing calls, by law, companies have 28 days to remove your personal information from their databases. Any sales and marketing companies contacting you after this time are breaking the law. However, time and time again, companies have continued to call, despite millions of complaints to the FTC about such practices. The simplest solution to this problem is to install the Block My Call device and not have to worry about receiving sales and marketing calls any longer!

Computer Generated or “Robo” Calls

These are computer generated, “robo” pre-recorded calls, usually about Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), or asking if you’ve ever had an accident, etc. These can be very annoying, as they are nothing more than just a recorded advertisement playing over your phone. In the comfort of your own home, you should have the choice of whether or not you want to accept such calls!

International Calls

Many US-based companies outsource to call centers overseas. In this way they can overcome the official “Do Not Call" register, because international call centers are not governed by US law. The language barrier and persistence of these callers is frustrating to say the least. While many centers do quality work, a lot of scam calls originate from international call centers.

Survey & Market Research Calls

Companies are getting smart. If you have already opted out of receiving sales and marketing calls, call centers can get around this by contacting you to do a “survey”. At the end of the survey, a cleverly-worded question can opt you in to receiving calls about specific products. With Block My Call, you can avoid this risk entirely.

“Hello, I am calling from the Windows Technical Department” – Tech Support Scam

One of the largest running scams in the US is tech support. 90% of the time this is a scam and the calls generally originate from overseas. The most common scam, usually from an international call center, is a call from “Microsoft”. The caller will say they are calling from Microsoft about a problem with your PC. They will then remotely access your PC, at which point they will infect it with a virus, and charge you for removal. Many people are susceptible to this scam, especially the elderly, as these callers are tech savvy and can be very convincing. Do not let your friends and family fall prey to these types of scams! Connect your Block My Call now!

Calls from numbers that don’t look like real numbers

Call centers and scam companies overseas use a program to display numbers that don’t look like legitimate phone numbers. These are called “SPOOF” numbers, and allow companies to conceal their true identity.

Call centers within the US also use a similar technology; however, the number will resemble a real number. When you try and call these numbers back, you receive a message stating that the number is not in service.

Stop receiving such unsolicited calls with the Block My Call!

What are the main reasons for nuisance phone calls?

• PPI Claims (Payment Protection Insurance) A lot of people have never had PPI but still get hassled.
• Private Pensions – Another known scam.
• Solar Panels.
• Lifestyle Research Center – For Surveys & market research.
• Accident Claims.
• Tech Support Scam Calls
• Computer generated calls about PPI and Accident Claims.
• Telephone Providers – to get you to switch.
• Utility Providers – to try and get you to switch.
• Double Glazing.
• Local Tradesman.
• Home Insurance.
• Warranties on Sky TV.
• Warranties on TV and other Home Appliances.