Thread: BT & Ex Directory..

I was, well am, still so amazed at this little snippet of info I got from a very helpful BT customer service advisor the other day, no doubt it has been out there for a long old time but hey!
I assumed that because I was ex-directory, whom ever I rang would not be able to see my number, or know what number was calling. Up until, my Mother answered the phone calling me by my first name?? How on earth did you know it was me mum? Because your number comes up?
What! I'm supposed to be ex directory!
Any how rang BT, told them I didn't want my number to be shown when I was ringing anyone, they said yes OK can do that. Ex-directory only means that it will not go in the phone book, nor will they divulge that information should anyone ring asking for it.
Then I bought my mother a True call system, and part of that system won't allow withheld numbers to call, so I rang BT again, this time asking that I still wished to remain ex-directory but could I now show my number when calling?
"Well" she said, "Why don't you have the best of both worlds? You can still withhold your number, but if you want someone to see who it is that is ringing, you simply dial 1470 before the number and that then will release your number"
I was dumbfounded! I couldn't thank her enough! I mean why doesn't anyone tell you this from the very beginning? So there it is, in a nutshell, you can withhold your number, but if you want to let someone with caller ID see that your calling just dial 1470 before their number!

Ex directory means your number will not be published in a telephone book, published online (i.e. 192.com) or given out by directory enquiries.

The feature you are talking about is witholding caller ID. This is usually a optional extra from your service provider and you may be charged for.

When you ring some one, either the caller ID is comes up as unknown, 1471 says something like "The Caller Withheld their number".

If you have caller id withheld and try ringing me, you'll get a message "The person you are ringing does not accept anonymous callers" as I have Reject Anonymous Callers. Stops the DCA's and Sales persons calling if they have no return number.

141 (the number to type before the telephone number to withold your own number) I believe is free with BT, but I would check.

The only problem with that barring anonymous numbers service is that any company who you do want to call usually do not give their number. When I was in insurance, I had loads of complaints about phone calls not being returned, when in fact they were - its just that staff could not "reveal" the number and so had to send a letter.

I think getting an answerphoen with call screening is better - you can here whos calling before deciding to answer (and if they are important they should leave a message) and it's free.

But most of all, remember that a phone is a tool for your use. So many people seem to let phones rule their lives and feel a need to know who has called, when, what they want etc.

I am happy for my phone to ring if I don't feel like answering it, even if I can here my mam on the message.

It's there for you - not you for it.

Same here. The Trust I work for has an ancient system and comes up as unknown.

I know some companies have a separate line or some kind of system to combat this problem. I personally would prefer that companies reveal their number - their call could actually be important.