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Main Forum >> Geographical Numbers Chat >> Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Rate https://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1165424199 Message started by bbb_uk on Dec 6th, 2006 at 4:56pm |
Title: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Rate Post by bbb_uk on Dec 6th, 2006 at 4:56pm
ICSTIS have launched another site called Phonebrain.org.uk.
This new site is a child's guide to premium rate services but also briefly mentions 08x numbers. Not very surprisingly, even ICSTIS describes 084x/087x numbers as either 'local' or 'national' rate. See this page, and from it I quote:- Quote:
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Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by bbb_uk on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:25pm
I have just sent an email to the Director and Deputy Director, along with a copy to the PA to the Director and webmaster.
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Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by Shiggaddi on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:27pm
0800REVERSE
This starts 080 and is free to dial but the person getting your call will have to pay. It costs £3.48 for the connection and then it will cost 50p per minute from a landline or 60p per minute from a mobile. If you can't get through and leave a message, this will cost £2.34. So that means anyone with a landline can receive a call, and if the person can't get through then we can get charged £2.34 for allowing people to leave a message. I always thought that receiving a reverse charge call was optional. You have to speak to the person who answers the phone, and he/she accepts. If the answerphone, or 1571 kicks in, or the person refuses to accept the call, then surely we shouldn't be charged. |
Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by bbb_uk on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:37pm Shiggaddi wrote on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:27pm:
I'm under the impression you can contact 0800Reverse and specifically ask them to block/stop any calls via them so as to avoid this excessive fee for basically not being in to answer the phone. |
Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 6th, 2006 at 7:19pm bbb_uk wrote on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:37pm:
This is obviously a huge ripoff compared to getting an 0800 package from www.call08.com if you need such a facility. Still it would in theory be quite a good emergency facility for your kids etc if only the call charges weren't such a scam and if only all mobile phones no longer conveyed any calls to an 0800 number free of charge. Imagine your kids calling you on their mobile phone using the 0800 number thinking it was a free call and then being hit with these charges for receiving them even though they still also paid 30p per minute or whatever for the call. :o :'( :'( :'( I have come to the conclusion that Ofcom is now nothing more than a legalised charter for every telco scammer and cheat in the United Kingdom to come up with ever more devious schemes to ripoff and fleece UK telecoms consumers. As Bobby Boy has suggested before this all needs tackling at high level either through the EU and the Misleading Advertising Directive or through the Parliamentary Ombudsman and by complaining to the Director Generals of the OFT and the Competition Commission that Ofcom isn't enforcing effectively functions that they would normally carry out in other UK industries. How can we have a government that on the one hand bans smoking at the pub to protect our health and has CCTV and speed cameras almost everywhere to track our every move on the road but has then opens us up to being assaulted by every devious telco scammer known to mankind? :-? :-/ :( :'( :'( :'( |
Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by Heinz on Dec 6th, 2006 at 7:33pm bbb_uk wrote on Dec 6th, 2006 at 4:56pm:
Even that's wrong. There are at least 7 types of 090 calls which cost 5p/minute to call! 090000 and 090877 are a couple. |
Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by bbb_uk on Dec 6th, 2006 at 7:37pm
Off topic replies discussing 0800 Reverse expensive charges have been moved to This Thread.
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Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by Keith on Dec 7th, 2006 at 9:22am
I have emailed ICSTIS about their description of 0845/0870
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Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 9:52am
bbb,
I really think the title of this thread ought to be "Now ICSTIS claim 0845 and 0870 are Local/National Rate" as the PhoneBrain title is really a bit of a red herring to be honest. |
Title: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Rate Post by bbb_uk on Dec 7th, 2006 at 10:06am NGMsGhost wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 9:52am:
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Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by derrick on Dec 7th, 2006 at 10:58am bbb_uk wrote on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:25pm:
I have just done the same, also copied to all the committee members and the complaint e-mail on their "contact us" page. It is scandalous that a telco regulator can get it so wrong, even Ofcon now admit they are not "local/national rates". |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by warbaby on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:04am
[smiley=embarassed.gif]Sorry to do this!! But am aged old crone of 73 who wishes to thank whoever posted alternative number for Aldi Stores! It worked a treat!! Many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:10am derrick wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 10:58am:
But did you also copy in your email to the CEO (Ed Richards) and board directors (exec and non exec all of whom have Ofcom email addreses) of Ofcom highlighting that this is a prime example of Ofcom's total failure to adequately deal with the 084/7 problem and the fact these calls are not local/national rate and that thus Ofcom is in dereliction of its duties under the EU Misleading Advertising Directive which have been delegated to it to enforce by the government in place of the usual OFT and Competition Commission who do this work for most other UK industries. Ofcom email addreses are firstname.lastname@ofcom.org.uk The Ofcom Board and its members can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk/about/csg/ofcom_board/biogs/ |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:16am bbb_uk wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 10:06am:
Thanks bbb. This is kind of a relevant topic when of course we have also learned from their Pre-Consultation that ICSTIS also don't seem to think 0871 numbers are in fact Premium Rate, even though is the supposed reason the regulation of these numbers is being put under their control. Now we learn that that they don't even understand 084/7 numbers are "uncontrolled premium rate" either. :( :o :'( |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by derrick on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:29am
Just received the following:-
Dear Derrick, Thank you for your interest in our website, www.phonebrain.org.uk. The wording ‘local rate’ and ‘national rate’ will be removed. Regards, Luis da Silva Website Co-ordinator 020 7940 7467 ldasilva@icstis.org.uk ICSTIS Clove Building 4 Maguire Street London SE1 2NQ www.icstis.org.uk |
Title: Re: Phonebrain.org.uk - From ICSTIS Post by derrick on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:31am NGMsGhost wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:10am:
Have done that also, then received the reply in my post above |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:48am derrick wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 11:29am:
Yes Mr da Silva, That's all very well and good but how did a supposedly responsible regulator like ICSTIS ever allow such misleading statements to be published in the first place and what breakdown occurred in the management chain of control that failed to prevent such misleading statements from appearing on the ICSTIS website? What were Mr Whiteing and Mr ICSTIS doing while all this was going on and how long has the misleading information been published on the ICSTIS website for? ;) :o >:( |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by bbb_uk on Dec 7th, 2006 at 12:25pm
Here is my quick email I sent to the Director, etc.
Quote:
I today, received the following reply from the Director himself: Quote:
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Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by bbb_uk on Dec 7th, 2006 at 12:29pm
... and here is my reply back to him:
Quote:
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Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 1:25pm Quote:
Surely the very fact that it is vulnerable teen and pre-teen children that are being miseducated about the cost of these 084/7 calls and that this false impression that they are local/national rate calls may then stay with them all their lives makes this misdescription all the more scandalous and deplorable. Mr Kidd gives the impression they are only children so it doesn't really mater. :o [smiley=thumbdown.gif] [smiley=thumbdown.gif] [smiley=thumbdown.gif] |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by derrick on Dec 7th, 2006 at 1:31pm
The wording has now been changed
# Next expensive = 087 Cost = up to 10p per minute # Then = 0845 Cost = up to 4.5p per minute |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 2:13pm derrick wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 1:31pm:
Isn't it up to 5p per minute over at NTL? ::) |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Keith on Dec 7th, 2006 at 3:03pm
Please find below the reply I rec'd (positive other than repeating that it is just for kids!), together with my follow up thank you email (haven't posted my original email)
Dear Mr xxxxx, Thank you for your recent email providing feedback on our new phonebrain website. I must emphasise that this is a site for 10-14 year olds - give or take. It is not a code, handbook or definitive presentation of a numbering regime which is fraught with confusion. For one group of people it is a way of getting helpful simple messages across which is the reason why we originally used the terms "local" and "national" rate. As you are aware the website was only launched this week, it will be an evolving site and we are taking all feedback onboard. We have already updated the landline section to exclude the use of local and national rate wording and on receiving your email it has been recognised that we need also to update the jargon buster section. This will be updated shortly. We appreciate the time you have taken to view and comment on the phonebrain website. Regards Karen Karen Kingdom Evening Team Leader 020 7940 7455 kkingdom@icstis.org.uk ICSTIS Karen, Thanks for making the changes so quickly - it is appreciated. If you asked most people they would say 0845 is local and 0870 is national rate so it is going to take a long time to get the message across so not putting this message into children's minds is very important. I have lost count how many times I have been told that 0845 is a local number by people who honestly believe it. So it was depressing to see it on your site of all sites! Now of course we are getting lots of scams using the 0870 number as it is a revenue generator. I have certainly had numerous calls where I am asked to phone back for my free holiday, or to pick up a message, or the call rings once and hangs up so you call back to see who it is. This is even though I am TPS registered, after all scammers don't care about that. And off course 0870 and 0845 numbers don't come under your scrutiny so it is safer for them than an 09 number (for which I have absolutely no objection). FYI I first became involved in this campaign when the government used an 0870 number as the help line for the London Bomb victims. A disgrace that they have promised never to repeat. Thanks again for your prompt action and it is good to see you use a Geographic number. Keith. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 7th, 2006 at 3:39pm
The bottom line is that Ofcom has done no national newspaper advertising or publicity that 0845 and 0870 are not Local/National Rate. Whereas they took National Newspaper adverts when they deregulated BT prices saying it would make things better even though it led to a 20% price rise.
Ofcom are serial liars and incompetents It is all the fault of various current and former cynical senior Ofcom staff and New Labour cronies who are trying to featherbed their old telco chums at NTL and elsewhere. >:( >:( >:( |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Heinz on Dec 7th, 2006 at 3:40pm
Unfortunately, they haven't changed the error in the pricing of 090 calls and, worse still, their JargonBuster page shows:
Quote:
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Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Keith on Dec 7th, 2006 at 3:45pm
Re Jargon Buster Page: If you see my previous post they say they are going to now change this also following my email.
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Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Heinz on Dec 7th, 2006 at 7:26pm Keith wrote on Dec 7th, 2006 at 3:45pm:
Thanks, I missed that bit. UPDATE 09:05 8/12/06. The Jargon Buster page has been updated and now reads: Quote:
They've still got the price of 084 numbers wrong because they've overlooked 5p/miinute 0844 numbers. They have also failed to correct the misinformation about the cost of some 090 numbers (still overlooking the 5p/minute numbers they authorise). Then again, it's probably the best we can hope for from Ofcon! You have to realise their CE was only paid £414,463 in 2004/5 (heaven only knows what that's risen to now). |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by idb on Dec 9th, 2006 at 5:59pm bbb_uk wrote on Dec 6th, 2006 at 4:56pm:
Having just visited the UK for the first time in two years, it was staggering to see just how common these numbers are. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by idb on Dec 9th, 2006 at 6:49pm
The glowing tribute to ICSTIS, in a foreward to ICSTIS' 20 year anniversary publication, by the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, shows just how high it is regarded by the Minister for Industry. For those of us who have suffered from telephone scams, aided by ICSTIS ineptitude, our comments would be somewhat different.
http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_news/20anniversary.pdf << Congratulations to ICSTIS on its 20th anniversary. It is indeed an impressive achievement that consumers and businesses now enjoy the benefits that flow from a successful premium rate services industry worth over £1.6 billion a year. Telecommunications are crucial to the modern, global economy. Premium rate services have moved from a niche market to mainstream media. In ICSTIS’ lifetime we have seen the birth of television text voting, the use of premium rate for charitable donations and an explosion of personal digital content, such as ringtones and music downloads. This success is a credit to the pioneers of this new technology and their marketeers but is also a huge credit to ICSTIS which has ensured that every innovation and development has been monitored and regulated to the highest possible standard. Without ICSTIS, consumer protection would be at risk, consumer confidence would be lower and the market would not be the one we see before us today. During ICSTIS’ 20 years the industry has evolved dramatic ally. ICSTIS has risen to the challenge of ensuring a good customer service to consumers using premium rate services who have complaints or enquiries about services. There have been problems, yes, but, in this anniversary year, ICSTIS can report that nine out of every 10 calls to its Contact Centre are answered within 30 seconds, as well as now providing a comprehensive public-facing website. I am also very glad to learn about the launch of a children’s website this autumn to inform and protect young consumers. As ICSTIS looks forward to the future in a converging digital world, it can also look back with a great deal of pride on what it has achieved. >> |
Title: ICSTIS, you are truly wonderful (not) Post by Heinz on Dec 9th, 2006 at 8:20pm
Fairly typical (meaningless) New Labour rhetoric!
Asked a question? Smile (show teeth if you've got some) and answer the question with the words you rehearsed beforehand even if they've nothing to do with the question and, whatever you do, keep talking continuously so the questioner cannot interrupt to tell you you're not answering the question which was asked. |
Title: Re: ICSTIS, you are truly wonderful (not) Post by NGMsGhost on Dec 10th, 2006 at 11:10pm Heinz wrote on Dec 9th, 2006 at 8:20pm:
I couldn't agree more. The only problem is that the Tory party is now led by someone specialising in precisely the same vacuous techniques. I arrived home tonight to find a mailing saying that the Tory Party will be having a new weekly national lottery and that the jackpot will be a stunning £1,000 :o ::) But incredibly they have managed to spin themselves into believing that their party members are all just going to be falling over themselves to buy tickets in the same way as the real National Lottery. Even if the £1,000 rather than £20,000,000 prize were not enough of a deterrent you would think they might have figured out that crusty church going Tory party members are on the whole precisely the kind of people who do not in the main buy tickets in the National Lottery. ;) |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by derrick on Jan 26th, 2007 at 3:57pm
Don't know if anyone managed to get a response from these people re the emails being sent to them, i eventually got this one after just getting auto response but continued to request a reply:-
Ofcom reference: 1-330**** Dear Sir, Thank you for you e-mail to Ofcom regarding you concerns with non geographic numbers. (0845 & 0870). I have been asked to respond to you directly regarding this matter. Your e-mail refers to ICSTIS’ information site Phonebrain and the misleading information on the particular page http://www.phonebrain.org.uk/landline/. I have looked into the matter and would like to advise you that it appears the incorrect terms have now been removed. I would like to thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of ourselves and ICSTIS. Yours sincerely Katy Emadi. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by jimjim on Jan 26th, 2007 at 5:45pm
Icstis are still claiming that 0845 numbers are local rate on their website. A few examples
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) 0845 050 1614 (Local rate) Office of the Telecocommunications Ombudsum (OTEB) 0845 050 1614 (Local rate) Telephone Preference Service (TPS) 0845 070 0707 (Local rate) It beggers belief that the people in charge have no idea. >:( |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Jan 26th, 2007 at 6:39pm jimjim wrote on Jan 26th, 2007 at 5:45pm:
I suggest emailing ICSTIS's CEO and directors (www.icstis.org.uk/about/icstis/executive/directors.asp) and also cc to all board directors of Ofcom (www.ofcom.org.uk/about/csg/ofcom_board/biogs/) who are firtname.lastname@ofcom.org.uk and also colette.bowe@ofcomconsumerpanel.org.uk who is Chairman of the Ofcom Consumer Panel. Using www.writetothem.com I would also write to your MP and MEP expressing your concern over Ofcom's regulatory failure to ensure compliance with UK trading standards law on price disclosure and the EU misleading advertising directive. Ideally reach deadlock with ICSTIS over the issue then go to your MP and ask your MP to get the Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate the issue. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by bbb_uk on Apr 24th, 2007 at 7:11pm
Well just noticed that ICSTIS state that 084 is local and 087 is national rate in their pdf brochure here which comes under the heading, 'Consumer Guide to protecting yourself against Premium rate scams'.
I found it in on their Consumer Publications webpage. Look at last page (bottom left hand side) - it reads: Quote:
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Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by derrick on Apr 25th, 2007 at 4:27pm
We really do not stand a chance do we? with morons like this "regulating" >:(
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Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on Apr 25th, 2007 at 4:40pm derrick wrote on Apr 25th, 2007 at 4:27pm:
The phrase "its like putting the kids in charge of the sweet shop" springs to mind for some strange reason. Just look at Ofcom's new "Communications Director". He joins them hotfoot from a job at principal 0870 scammer boys BSkyB......... ;) ::) >:( :'( |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by PremiumRateFighter on May 23rd, 2007 at 10:24am
Not only is ICSTIS sill "misleading" (i.e. lying to) the public over this (see http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_news/prs_protection_factsheet.pdf bottom of page 3) it actually has the audacity to give other people a hard time when they describe 0871 numbers as "premium rate" (see http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39783).
I phrase with the words "pot", "kettle", and "black" in it springs to mind. ;) |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on May 23rd, 2007 at 10:30am PremiumRateFighter wrote on May 23rd, 2007 at 10:24am:
ICSTIS is merely a body for legalising the existing of as many of these scamming lines as possible and only takes action against the behaviour of its most extreme and out of control members. I hope you will be responding to their current consultation on their future regulation of 0871 numbers saying it is outrageous they propose no maximum queuing time on hold. Also that it is outrageous that the number range is to be allowe to remain as 0871 and not forced to change to an 09 prefixed code. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by PremiumRateFighter on May 24th, 2007 at 6:04pm
ICSTIS have now fixed this (see http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_news/prs_protection_factsheet.pdf bottom of page 3) following my complaint.
So complaining sometimes works! |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on May 24th, 2007 at 6:44pm PremiumRateFighter wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 6:04pm:
Complaining quite often works with those who have made a genuine error throught stupidity and ignorance (undoubtedly the case with the ICSTIS person who wrote this and is clearly working in the wrong job if they aren't interested in telecoms prices) but as fast as we correct one set of sp called "errors" new "errors" emerge because the whole 084/7 system is inherently crooked and designed to stop people realising easily and automatically that these are are Premium Rate numbers. The only thing that would stop this would be forcing all revenue share numbers to move to 09, all normal rate non geographic numbers to 03 and then 08 would then be returned to Freephone only. There would then be no further confusion as to what is Premium Rate. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Heinz on May 24th, 2007 at 7:31pm NGMsGhost wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 6:44pm:
I now bar all 070, 0845, 087 and 09 numbers using my Orchid. I also bar 'CLI withheld' incoming calls so any firm calling me has to reveal a number to make my phone ring (I then view the CLI and ignore any which start 070, 0845, 0870 and 09). |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on May 24th, 2007 at 8:15pm Heinz wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 7:31pm:
I bet you don't bar Number Unavailable numbers or otherwise you would hardly hear from any UK businesses at all. ;) :P While admiring your principled stand it strikes me that you are rather cutting off your nose to spite your face here. I certainly minimise 084 and 087 calls and always try to find the alternatives (including emailing if I think there is any chance they may reply to the email) but if its an organisation I still need to deal with for other practical reasons then I do on rare occasions call them while always making sure to complain about the number and usually firing off an email pointing out the error of their ways to their Chief Executive. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Heinz on May 24th, 2007 at 9:03pm NGMsGhost wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 8:15pm:
Oh yes I do - so they either have to release a CLI (my bank rang on a mobile number the other day) or write to me. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on May 24th, 2007 at 10:06pm Heinz wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 9:03pm:
Heinz, Even though I consider myself something of an extremist on the question of 084/7 numbers you carry the fight against these numbers to heights of extremism that I could not even begin to contemplate. ACR would be no good to me since even calls from my mother using 1899 would be barred. And to be honest about 75% of my daytime calls have no caller id so I know that taking your extreme position would mean that people I want to contact me simply could not. Also it is usually not the fault of the person calling me that their company has number withheld or unavailable displayed. Finaly ACR is a chargeable service so would render it out of the question from my point of view. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Heinz on May 24th, 2007 at 10:13pm NGMsGhost wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 10:06pm:
Sorry, I should've explained. My landline number is the one F&F have and use. I have one corded phone and 3 DECT handsets connected to that. My BT Broadband Talk (geographical) number is the one with the (free) ACR permanently on (and 1571 permanently off). I have one DECT phone connected to that. Guess which one the banks, credit card companies, utilities etc. are given? |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on May 25th, 2007 at 6:01am Heinz wrote on May 24th, 2007 at 10:13pm:
I still don't understand your strategy. I have the one normal phone line on BT equipment but with the Post Office. I haven't left the Post Office because they paid me £65 in cash incentives to join them, they don't have a minimum call charge but per second billing and they do let me use 18185 with impunity and they even let me dial any number at all by dialling the 1280 BT over-ride, albeit that it then seems to be the BT rate for that call with some kind of 10% handling fee. I am in the phone directory (I loathe with a pashion the stupid 50% of people who are not) but I am also registered with the TPS. Despite my registration with the TPS suddenly ast Autumn a small band of hardened cold call abusers like Bracken Bay Kitchens and Data Preference Solutions called me every so often trying to sell me things. On each occasion I filed a formal complaint with the Information Commissioner and copied the complaint to the Chief Executive of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) who run the TPS. This year I have not received any of these manned sales calls at all and my presumption is either that the fact that Ofcom has shown it is finally to going get serious with the main scammers like BrackenBay Kitchens has put them off or that the DMA's CEO has added me to some kind of emergency "protect yourselves from this blighter" list to his members as my being someone to erase from all their databases at all costs due to my fondness for filing complaints with the ICO. I hear back each day from businesses that I have called and want to hear from and on about 3 occasions out of 4 no CLI is displayed. This is because the telecoms manager of their business has taken this stupid decision wo withhold CLI and not the people I am dealing with. If I had ACR although some businesses would manage to call me another way with a CLI plenty of them would just give up on the basis that I was unreasonably difficult to call. In fact I don't even see why ACR exists as a service when such a high percentage of phone calls are still Number Unavailable. I do see why Choose to Refuse exists but I imagine that can be easily circumvented by the use by the caller of an overseas Voip carrier that does not provide any UK CLI information. I think my strategy still avoids most unwanted calls but without stopping people I actually want to hear from calling me. ;) ::) |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by Heinz on May 25th, 2007 at 12:16pm NGMsGhost wrote on May 25th, 2007 at 6:01am:
We must agree to disagree then. If I give a firm or organisation my phone number so that they can contact me but their attempt to do so is rejected because they withhold their number, that is not because I am making myself "unreasonably difficult to call" as you put it; it is because they are unreasonably concealing their identity. I really don't care if it's because some IT bod within the firm or organisation has made a stupid decision, it's the firm's fault. Equally, I would blame the CEO if a member of his staff was rude to me. |
Title: Re: Now ICSTIS claim 084x/087x are Local/National Post by NGMsGhost on May 25th, 2007 at 12:37pm Heinz wrote on May 25th, 2007 at 12:16pm:
Yes but some of us actually have lives to lead too whereas it seems you may allow the demonstation of your principles to get in the way of some aspects of living yours. Clearly some companies that you may need to urgently speak to just won't be able to call you, however much you protest to the contrary. |
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