ALERT from a concerned JM

[gazania]

It is just not the elderly who cop it.  Here is one young man's lament:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/blogs/unwritten-law/how-dare-you-call-my-phone-20140704-3bdfw.html

[cando]

I no longer answer calls to my landline if Number Withheld or Private is shown as caller ID.  I have a Panasonic phone and  have all our business, banking, doctors, dentist, friends and family phone numbers recorded in our phone and set with a different ring tone and default ring for all other calls.

We are on the Do Not Call Register and recently one particular number kept calling from early in the am until late in the evening. It was an Australian phone number.    I called Telstra and asked their advice.  After giving dates and times they advised that this particular number could be permanently blocked but our dial tone would alter.  It is now a long 'flat' sound.

Only helpful if you can capture the caller's phone number.

From Telstra

Australian telephone numbers used primarily for private and domestic purposes are eligible for registration on the Do Not Call Register. These include fixed (or landline) numbers, mobile phone numbers, satellite numbers and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) numbers.

Registration is free and will last for five years at which point the individual will need to re-register their number in order for it to stay listed on the Do Not Call Register.


And yes I still get unsolicited phone calls from charities and people offering free investment advice, selling solar panels etc etc as their Australian phone numbers are shown as caller ID with a default ring tone.  I can choose whether or not to answer and if the call is unwelcome I always state this phone number does not accept calls such as yours and please remove our listing from your database and end the call. 

Have an delightful elderly friend who is a bit of a character.  He does not have a computer and the man from "Windows Technical Support Dept" had greatly difficulty instructing my friend how to turn on his computer.   He has been known to answer the unwelcome calls from 'overseas' with Police Constable Jones...and the caller usually hangs up

Cheers 
Cando

[cupoflife]

Brazen scumbag scammers will use any tactics, so be aware that scammers are also pretending to be from "DO NOT CALL REGISTER" asking for info to update your details.
http://acma.gov.au/Citizen/Stay-protected/My-privacy-world/Reduce-unwanted-calls/consumer-alert-scammers-claiming-to-be-from-acmas-do-not-call-register

[redmr2red]

The only way to stop them is to go along with their scam.  Give them false names, false information and false credit card details.  Keep them on the phone for as long as you can, take time to get your credit card, tell them you've turned on your computer and it is slow to start up.  Ask them to repeat things because you are partly deaf.  Generally play their game.  If you hang up straight away, they have way more time to annoy others.  Oh! I'm retired and love the challenge of breaking my 11 minute record before they hang up.  All in a day's fun!!!!!

[Ringrose]

Our phone tells us who is ringing if they are in our memory on the phone.Sometimes it comes up International so we just let it carry on and ignore....they usually ring off.Sometimes it's withheld and this can sometimes be our daughter ....we answer but put the phone down if it  sounds suspicious.
I had a call from John Lewis a few months ago to say my account had been corrupted and what was my mothers maiden Etc for security.I said I wasn't happy about divulging anything over the phone and they suggested ringing them back on the customer service number of JL.THINK....no don't do it on same phone as it might be a scam and they would listen in.Used the mobile instead.It turned out to be genuine .My JLCard had been used in London on a day when Iwas in Hastings.I was impressed how quickly JL realised that this transaction was not my usual type of transaction.Alls well....credited to me and a new card.
Ringrose

[BatUser]

I was worried about my mother answering the phone and changing her bank account to a better one the bank recommended. This mucked up all the automatic payments. I had to go to the bank and use power of attorney to fix up the mess.
We then got her an answering machine and said not answer the phone and to let whoever is ringing give a number and you can call back your friends and let us listen to any you do not know.
It has worked out a lot better.
All her friends and relatives know the arrangement and it works well.
There have been a lot of hang up calls when we visit so she is missing a lot of cold calling. Also as she is in her 90’s she is not tempted to rush to answer the phone.
One call she had on the answering machine was from “the taxation office” saying she had a refund.
I said no way would the taxation department be ringing to give you a refund..

 

[Treetotal]

Although I have the "Telephone Preference Service" in place that blocks cold callers...I still get some coming through...if they address me by name and it is a consumer enquiry/survey I tell them that Mr & Mrs ******* have moved and could they please make a note 
Carol