topic Re: no number/private number in Off-Topic

no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:56:24 GMT

when a received call comes up no number or private number I panic a bit & I seriously don't know whether to answer the call or not ..... I know when private number comes up it could be a medical call & now my local medical centre has a new appointment system where you ring in - give a brief description of your ailment - then a doctor will ring you back within an hour to discuss whether you need to come into the medical centre to see a doctor

I'm concerned that when the doctor rings it will come up private number

is there a difference between no number & private number

this week one morning I had a no number call but it ended whilst I was deciding whether to answer the call or not

thank you

Re: no number/private number

Bambino — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:14:41 GMT

There's no hard and fast rule when it comes to something like this. If you've called your doctor, and you're expecting a callback and it comes up as a private number, answer it. If you're not expecting a call, and it comes up as a private or no number, don't answer it. If it was a legitimate call they will leave you a voicemail message.

If you inadvertently answer a call that comes up as private or no number, and it's a cold caller trying to sell you something, hang up on them. What they're doing may not be illegal, but it's annoying and time consuming. Just hang up. You don't need to offer them an explanation or an apology. They have invaded your space. Just hang up.

I sometimes get cold calls on my landline from people trying to sell me insurance or some such nonsense. When I answer the call, sometimes there's a delay before they start speaking. It's probably their system telling them they have someone who's answered. When they start their spiel, I tell them they've reached the Metropolitan Police Department, and can I help. There's usually less than one second from the time I've said that before they hang up.

Re: no number/private number

Cleoriff — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:14:46 GMT

I have a similar problem Jane. The other type of call is from a 'Withheld number'. This could be my husband phoning me from work ...where they use a centralised switchboard. (or the hospital)

So I answer them all.Even International calls because they could be friends from Spain.

If I don't know the caller...I just put the phone down...

Re: no number/private number

jonsie — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:17:47 GMT

I always abstract. If it's someone selling I simply hang up. ....

Re: no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:24:11 GMT

An option would be to turn on O2 voicemail and let the withheld call go to voicemail and then pick up the call after.

I find that cold callers don't leave voicemails at all typically.

Re: no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:38:06 GMT

thank you all for your advice ..... particularly Bambino ..... it gives me more confidence when my phone rings

Re: no number/private number

anticpated — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:45:00 GMT

I block all private calls and no numbers by default, to remove this being a problem.

Re: no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:46:06 GMT

Is there any truth in the story that by answering some of these calls you are immediately liable for some sort of charge? I seem to recall something like that - but maybe it is urban myth?

Re: no number/private number

jonsie — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:48:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Is there any truth in the story that by answering some of these calls you are immediately liable for some sort of charge? I seem to recall something like that - but maybe it is urban myth?

Complete myth.....

Re: no number/private number

anticpated — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:50:16 GMT

I've heard that some "directory enquiries" prosper for keeping you on the line or dialling you through.

Re: no number/private number

MI5 — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:52:46 GMT

@anticpated wrote:
I've heard that some "directory enquiries" prosper for keeping you on the line or dialling you through.

They do as the charge the high rate throughout the connected call but that is totally different from getting charged for answering myth which gets spread all over Facebook every now and then.....

Re: no number/private number

Bambino — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:53:13 GMT

@anticpated wrote:
I block all private calls and no numbers by default, to remove this being a problem.

That's really not possible for some people @anticpated as most doctor's surgeries and hospitals withhold their numbers.

Re: no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:58:08 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Is there any truth in the story that by answering some of these calls you are immediately liable for some sort of charge? I seem to recall something like that - but maybe it is urban myth?
Complete myth.....

Thank you, sir! Glad to hear that.

Re: no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:11:31 GMT

To be honest I will answer withheld but it is normally PPI insurance scams or a non fault accident I have apparently had.

Where I do get frustrated is my bank. If they call me, it is from a withheld number. They say who they are. ........

Then ask me to answer security questions. I DON'T THINK SO.
Then they get funny with me!

Re: no number/private number

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:29:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
To be honest I will answer withheld but it is normally PPI insurance scams or a non fault accident I have apparently had.

Where I do get frustrated is my bank. If they call me, it is from a withheld number. They say who they are. ........

Then ask me to answer security questions. I DON'T THINK SO.
Then they get funny with me!

thank you for that info piperdog123

Re: no number/private number

anticpated — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:20:56 GMT

I still get notified about the calls however people can send letters if they can't get you by telephone, if something is important enough.

Re: no number/private number

Cleoriff — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:35:00 GMT

@anticpated wrote:
I still get notified about the calls however people can send letters if they can't get you by telephone, if something is important enough.

Mmmmm...and if your GP or hospital want you to go for an urgent scan...or other treatment....?:smileysad:

Re: no number/private number

anticpated — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:38:56 GMT

141 to reveal your number. I don't like hiding behind this wall however being as scammers, PPI, foreign call centers all choose to hide or use unorthodox ways to contact people I rather they just contact my home number and leave a message.

Re: no number/private number

Beenherebefore — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:48:08 GMT

@Cleoriff wrote:
@anticpated wrote:
I still get notified about the calls however people can send letters if they can't get you by telephone, if something is important enough.

Mmmmm...and if your GP or hospital want you to go for an urgent scan...or other treatment....?:smileysad:

They leave a message asking me to call them.

Re: no number/private number

Cleoriff — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:57:18 GMT

@Beenherebefore wrote:
@Cleoriff wrote:
@anticpated wrote:
I still get notified about the calls however people can send letters if they can't get you by telephone, if something is important enough.

Mmmmm...and if your GP or hospital want you to go for an urgent scan...or other treatment....?:smileysad:
They leave a message asking me to call them.

And you may have lost that slot or appointment...depending on how long it is before you pick up the voicemail...

Lookie here...I am only trying to look after everyone's health