This topic

SMS Messages

LadyLouisa — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:01:12 GMT

Twice now during the last week I have received automated calls to my landline at 8am. Not a convenient time for me. This has never happened before. I put the 'phone down as I realise it is not an important call, and 10 minutes later it calls again with something about fitness bands and go to voicemail.

I do not use voicemail, and never even knew that landlines had this capability, answerphone yes, always switched off. I have checked on here and dialled0800 587 5252. I get as far as 'if you wish to change the scheduled hours press the star button twice and am then told to hang up!! I do not see a way of getting to any other options as mentioned on here back in 2017. I wish to turn this off and have no scheduled hours at all. Am I missing something or has this changed since 2017.

Alternatively, I will have to turn the ringers off at night which I do not really want to do.

Re: SMS Messages

NeilO — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:22:06 GMT

Hi @LadyLouisa, welcome back to the community and thanks for posting. The process hasn't changed, when you called the number did you choose option 1 then option 5 as that will opt you out?

Thanks

Neil

Re: SMS Messages

Firefox1701 — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:38:36 GMT

Not sure if I've misunderstood, but it occurs to me that switching off / opting out of voicemail will not stop the calls themselves from coming ...?

Also not sure if this is the case, but at risk of stating the obvious, when you receive a call like this ( or any unsolicited automated call ), absolutely never ever press any buttons when the message asks you to.

Re: SMS Messages

NeilO — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 12:04:25 GMT

@Firefox1701, I think you have misunderstood, there is a feature that allows you to send and receive text messages on your landline phone. If you don't have a compatible phone and caller display the text message is converted to speech which is delivered via an automated voicemail from BT. You can opt-out from the BT Text service by using the number posted above.

Thanks

Neil

Re: SMS Messages

LadyLouisa — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 13:13:16 GMT

except, as mentioned above I have not been able to opt out and I am not given the chance to reach the options which include opting out! The number I have been able to 'ban' is actually just the BT Voice Mail number, and not any number that called me. I did not press any buttons other than to answer the calls. I have gone in and reset privacy settings etc. When I call 1572 it tells me there are no voice messages so no number to bar.

Re: SMS Messages

NeilO — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:59:50 GMT

Hi @LadyLouisa it's strange that the opt-out isn't working for you. Do you have touch-tone enabled on your phone handset so the automated system recognises the option you've chosen when you press a number? I've just called 0800 587 5252 and pressed 1 then 5 and was able to opt-out. When you call can you get that far?

Thanks

Neil