Telephone harassment - an action plan

[The GodMother]

now i have not heard that tactic used. Maybe i should use something similar if you ring me you will get scaked?

[clumch]

I have had good results with a recording adapter from Crucible Technologies (about £35) and Windows MP3 Voice Activated MP3 recording software called iSound Pro - this system automatically records all landline calls inbound and outbound from all phones in the house. Also Olympus sell digital voice activated recorders that work amazingly well - use them for face to face meetings or instead of a PC with iSound Pro - they give about 5 hours recording.
Do remember that if you want to share the recordings with anybody not party to the original conversation you must tell the other party about the recording - record the disclaimer as proof!
Once you have given the disclaimer you can legally publish the conversation on the Internet if you so please.
Most call centre staff do not even listen or understand the disclaimer - especially if you say it fast in a different voice.
I have saved thousands of pounds already by just saying "This call is being recorded for legal reasons"

[ScabHunter]

The original post is one way of approaching the telephone harassment problem, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

You will still have to deal with the telephone threat monkeys, which not everybody feels capable of doing adequately. Also, people who work at home will be losing valuable time handling these nuisance calls, and that translates into money.

I really cannot believe that with modern technology this problem has not been solved for good.

Whose property is the telephone? Who pays for the rental of the line? Therefore, who should have the choice of who is allowed to communicate with us on that line?

That's right, WE SHOULD.

If it is possible to identify callers using caller display, then it must be possible to develop software which can take different actions based on the input received.

If a call is a "white" call, from a known friendly number, then the telephone (or computer set up to act as a telephone) would ring in the normal way. The number would be displayed, so you would know where the call was coming from before you answered it.

If a call is a "black" call, coming from a known nuisance number or a withheld number, then the machine would deal with the call by "answering" it with an unobtainable tone and then freeing the line. This would be done without any noise occurring in the room, so you could get 100 nuisance calls, and not be disturbed. The numbers would be available to print out to use in any complaints to relevant authorities.

If the call is a "grey" call, originating from an unknown number, then the machine can ring to alert you to the call, and then give an answering message which warns that this number does not accept calls from religious, political or commercial organizations. If the caller then speaks, you can take the call, or ignore it as you see fit. If it turns out to be a nuisance call, you would just have to press one key to add the number to the "black" list, and not be disturbed again.

These features should surely be standard on all telephones by now, as they only give the owner of the telephone the rights they should have in their own home. Similar features on email accounts are standard. As I have not been able to find any telephone which has such features, or any computer software which could turn a PC into a telephone with these features, we cannot claim our rights as we should.

The authorities are useless, and the harassers just get away with everything. One simple software application would solve 99% of the problems, with user defined options. Surely it shouldn't be too difficult to design something like this?

I know I would pay for it. I wonder how many others would as well?

SH

[ScabHunter]

Here is a way to ensure that you are never bothered by nuisance calls from a DCA (or anybody else for that matter), while still being able to maintain a relationship by telephone with your friends, contacts, and family

You will need a broadband connection and a PC with either a headset or a microphone and speakers. If you have these already, then the only expense will be just over £2 a month for a Skype subscription.

1) Your landline telephone number, which is in the hands of the enemy already, needs to be seen as a throwaway. Give it to every jerk who demands a contact telephone number.

2) Pull the plug out of the wall. This will prevent any calls causing a nuisance. You can replace the plug if you need to call out, and you can check for messages with 1571. This number is good for BT lines, and Virgin cable lines.

3) Download Skype software onto your PC (this is free). You can now make unlimited calls to anyone in the world who also has Skype at no charge whatsoever.

4) Sign up for a subscription to Skype. This allows you to call standard landlines using your Skype number, and it also gives you a SkypeIn number with which you can receive calls.

5) The software gives you some options. Although there is no facility for barring individual numbers (you'll have to ask them why), you can have the settings so that only people in your contacts list can call you. What I have done is set it so that only contacts can call me, but anyone can leave a chat message. That way, any Skype user who wants to get hold of me can do, and then if I want to go to voice I can just add them to my contacts.

This is a cheap system for anyone who already has broadband internet and a PC. It is effective as well. If you are used to calling overseas with a regular landline, then using Skype's free option will probably save you more than the extra spend anyway. If the other person has Skype as well, you can call them for free anywhere in the world.

This system reduces the chance of being disturbed by nuisance calls to absolute zero. They cannot get through to you on Skype if they are not in your contacts, and the landline is pulled out of the wall. The worst you might have to do is delete some silly messages, but you can do that in your time, not in theirs, and you certainly don't have to listen to the full message.

Your contacts can talk to you freely during the time the PC is switched on, and anyone can leave a message on the landline using the 1571 service.

Just one of many options to consider when deciding how to handle DCA or creditor harassment.

SH

[The GodMother]

Alternativley you can just set up skype and when they call state they dont have the number any more and there new number is the skype number. From what i have been told they will record and mail u all transcripts of telephone convos u want them to.

[pudef]

Quick question...do i have to give a contact number to debt collectors. I am being continually called at work by HFO and now Turnbull Rutherford Solicitors. I have just come of the phone after a wasted 10 mins of the guy continually butting - despite several requests to put everything in writing as i am in an open office. i have had to change my mobile number already and share a house in which the number is ex dir.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

[ScabHunter]

Originally Posted by pudef

Quick question...do i have to give a contact number to debt collectors. I am being continually called at work by HFO and now Turnbull Rutherford Solicitors. I have just come of the phone after a wasted 10 mins of the guy continually butting - despite several requests to put everything in writing as i am in an open office. i have had to change my mobile number already and share a house in which the number is ex dir.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

NO!!!!

You do NOT have to give any debt collector anything. They do seem to have no trouble in finding these numbers, though.

Just for the record, I do not recommend BT Choose To Refuse service as it has no guarantee of working. It only blocks 10 numbers, and some of the worst phone thugs use more numbers than that, specifically to overcome Choose To Refuse. You could find it wasted money.

If you are on cable, the service is not available anyway.

Anonymous Call Reject is worth having, as it will block any and all withheld numbers. Again, though, it won't defeat the worst harassers as they have multiple numbers and do not withhold them.

If you have a PC and broadband internet then I recommend the system detailed above. It is 100% effective and is no more expensive than signing up for BTs unworkable solutions.

Of course none of this is any defence to work harassment. It should be up to the owners of the telephone line to deal with this.

SH

[pudef]

Thanks Scabhunter, thats all i needed to know. The guy Mr Amin (made up name i think!) tried to assure me that i had to provide a telephone number like it was a legal requirment. This is a debt from Welcome Finance from 2003 and defaulted in - for reasons not worth going into - 2005. How would i stand with the six year thingy ??

[The GodMother]

it is 3 more years but if you can remember the month and the exact date, as in 21 oct 2008, then it would work more to your favor as it then becomes SB on that date in 6 years. All thou the exception to the rule is if you are in Scotland where it is 5 years.

[pudef]

Thanks for that Godmother i will check it out and see dates. What does SB mean ?? I am in Scotland by the way.

Thanks again.

[cbd13]

Hi all.
I have been receiving calls at work from Right Moronic Ar**holes for the last month. Told them to write to me only numerous times. Have a answerphone message from this week saved on mobile from them where the confirm that ringing at work is not convenient. Last night they called my office number 7 times despite being told I had gone home. Eventually my manager spoke to them (very professionally apparantly) asking who they were.

What is my next action? Which letter should I use?
I am sending a CCA 12+2 letter today as not enforceable, should I amalgamte?

Many thanks
cbd13

[ODC]

Lowells used to ring me on a regular basis to work. They spoke to me and I told them I wasnt in and anyways the company did not permit its staff to have business calls during working hours. The muppet said they would call until they got me. I said well ''I am the owner of this company and if you continue to call Mr ODC despite my instructions to you then you will be hearing from our solicitors'' The muppet started to ramble on some nonsense to which I still pretending to be my boss said ''We are a professional company, we record all calls, the date is XXXXX the time is xxxxx and I am now advising you that all your calls to this company will cost a minimum of £75 per hour plus v.a.t.'' Strangely enough there was no response

[The GodMother]

Originally Posted by pudef

Thanks for that Godmother i will check it out and see dates. What does SB mean ?? I am in Scotland by the way.

Thanks again.

SB means statue barred.

[ODC]

Originally Posted by pudef

Thanks for that Godmother i will check it out and see dates. What does SB mean ?? I am in Scotland by the way.

Thanks again.

In England, Wales and Nothern Ireland a debt becomes Statute Barred if after 6 years there has been no written acknowledgement or payment. In Scotland the period is 5 years