Sounds like a fake CLI to me. My mantra is - if they want me, they'll call back or leave a message

jgxenite wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 9:55pm:


I know I shouldn't ask this,    but how do fake a number?

Well, I have found what this is all about. I have also had this number 000 307 215 1002 phone me on several occasions, usually it is a silent call or sometimes it is a foreigner, going hello, hello,I then put the phone down. Anyway my wife phoned BT 'malicious calls line' and they informed her it is an overseas sales call.

Short of going ex directory, which I don't want to do, there is not alot that can be done.

Thanks Tanllan, that is interesting.

It was BT that suggested going ex directory, (not that I would, as it is too complicated  letting all your contacts know.) Just shows you that BT gives out dodgy advice doesn't it? But I guess we all know that

Did someone say "Silent Calls"? I must drop in a pearl or two.

It is actually specialist companies that do the "number scanning" operation simply searching for live lines in allocated ranges, bu dialling all the numbers and monitoring the tone returned. They then sell the lists they compile to the telemarketers. Their calls sometimes cause a very brief ringing, if the equipment does not drop the line quickly enough after receiving an indication of ring tone. If you think you have heard this, a brief tinkle in the early hours of the morning is more often caused by exchange line tests (or too much liquid the evening before).

Registering with the Telephone Preference Service may be helpful. Some telemarketing companies screen their lists against it, as they find that they are commonly wasting their time with those who are registered, so it makes good sense for them not to call. That is how the TPS started; regulations are now in place creating a legal obligation to respect it. Some list agencies offer TPS-screened lists (which are only valid for four weeks).

The relevant regulations cover the UK and, by reciprocal arrangement, other EU countries. This applies to all companies responsible for the call, including the company selling the product / service, a sales agent, a marketing agency handling the campaign, or the call centre making the call. If one or more of these are located in the UK (or EU) then action may be taken against them for making Silent Calls to anyone and / or making marketing calls to those registered with the TPS. (Ofcom has taken on a case of Silent Calls made from India on behalf of an American company with a UK presence.)

I hope this is helpful.

The worries expressed are indeed widespread and common.

It is important that efforts continue to be made to make people aware that a public telephone network is just that. It is sadly very common for various types of organisation to make Silent Calls (including at one time, but perhaps no longer, BT and HMRC). There will always be those who operate at the fringes of regulation and beyond, however all those with any sort of reputation must recognise, or be compelled to do so if they do not, that Silent Calls, at any level, are unacceptable.

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By coincidence, I note that Ofcom has just published an updated guide on the topic of Silent Calls. Whilst the essence of the policy that Ofcom follows should be correct, there is a quite improper emphasis on the fact that Ofcom finds only a limited proportion of "abandoned" calls to be acceptable. It is also implied that Ofcom has the statutory authority to impose "rules" on users of diallers in general, which is untrue.

If every "abandoned" call were covered by a properly worded Informative Message, then there would be no "Silent" Calls. This measure if far from being just one of a number of "safeguards", although that is how Ofcom treats it.

Ofcom's so-called "enforcement" approach (followed on the inaccurate assumption that there are "rules" in force) is focused on lengthy investigations that may result in financial penalties for a very small number of offenders, rather than a proper use of the powers available to it to simply stop anyone found making Silent Calls from continuing the practice.

The BIS department will shortly be consulting on a quite unnecessary increase to the maximum level of fine available to Ofcom. I will be strongly opposing this measure and have already urged the BIS to get Ofcom to use its powers properly to stop Silent Calls being made, rather than penalising a selected number of offenders. (Some of those already penalised have not been found to have made a single Silent Call, just too many abandoned calls covered by the Informative Message - a quite different issue.)

SuzyQ wrote on Jul 21^st, 2009 at 4:42pm:

This is nearly the same number presented to sherbert when he was called. His number was 0003072151002; note the extra 1. Looks like a false number as it could not possibly exist, so it's not a trick to get you to call it back.

Some information on what I presume is the same number:

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/3072151002

Loads more results on Google, click here for them.

Note that if this is the same number the proper CLI (number on your caller display) should be 0013072151002. That is the international code is 1 which is US & Canada.