This topic

Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:55:42 GMT

We have the facility to block scammer calls, which we do on average 2 x times daily. Now the majority of our incoming calls are either digital, fraud on your visa card, or amazon account or some middle eastern accented scammer. In other words scammers or fraudsters. We decided to use a new tactic, and use the BT portal to report the numbers. However, this is impossible as the portal will not accept the callers number. Has BT totally given up on landlines altogether and lost the fight on scammers and fraudsters ? Sadly, it has reached a point where, if the incoming caller has a middle east accent we hang up the call, legit or not.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:07:40 GMT

In many cases the number you are seeing doesn't actually exist or is even in an invalid format. This is because it's being spoofed by the caller. The only option to solve this is to invest in a phone with call blocking that will only allow whitelisted callers straight through.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:10:54 GMT

Why should I ?

Surely technology exists within BT to filter these calls ?

My option is to end my landline contract with BT after 43 years.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:19:41 GMT

@silentone

You will never block calls by simply blocking a number, as scammers do not use the same number again.

You need to use a call blocking phone like the BT4600. This only allows selected number to get straight through, all others have to announce themselves first, scammers never do that as they use automatic call software.

https://www.bt.com/help/user-guides/phones/landline-phones/cordless-phones-with-answer-machine/bt4600

No phone provider can block spoofed calls.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

licquorice — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:29:48 GMT

Do you seriously think that if BT, or any provider for that matter, could block scammers they wouldn't do so?

It is a worldwide problem. There is an infinite amount of phone numbers, you can't block them all. The only way to defeat scammers is by a system of whitelisting allowed numbers. Blacklisting is a futile waste of time.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:38:41 GMT

I don't believe for one second that BT does not have the resources or wherewithal to recognise and block scammer numbers. What it lacks is the will to do so.

It grieves me that after 43 years I will have to end my landline service with BT.

So, I suppose the answer to my question is: Yes, BT has surrendered the landlines to scammers.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

licquorice — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:39:51 GMT

Total nonsense

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:53:42 GMT

What is nonsense ?

I am not one the vulnerable one's.

People are scammed daily in the UK via a public service landline, and your answer in nonsense ?

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

countrypaul — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:58:59 GMT

The same happens on mobiles, so re you giving up on using telephones completely?

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:01:51 GMT

Nope, because it doesn't happen on mobiles. I don't give anyone my mobile number, other than the circle of contacts I want to have it.

There is no mobile directory, thank heavens.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

countrypaul — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:04:29 GMT

It does happen on mobiles, it may not have happened to you yet. Some places just work through numbers systematically maybe they have not got round to you yet.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:09:02 GMT

Well I've had a mobile (both car and hand-held) since 1986, and I don't get scam callers.

However, this is about BT Landlines and the surrendering to the scammers, and the vulnerable who fall foul to it on a daily basis.

In my view, BT has abandoned any future development or security on the landline service in favour of digital, which appears to have problems also.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

licquorice — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:08:45 GMT

What? You think the scammers look up numbers in a directory?

They dial millions of numbers at random and hope to get lucky.

Of course mobiles get scam calls along with every other Telco in the world.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:11:04 GMT

As I've stated above.

Trying the deflect the discussion towards mobiles is not what this is about.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

c64z86 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:15:01 GMT

Have you ever given your landline number out to other companies? Like for competitions or even to sign up for a service? They have a tendency to pass your details on to 3rd parties, unless you tick a box which is hard to find sometimes, which then in turn eventually find their way to scammers.

Have you also re registered with the TPS just to be sure?

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

NigelB72 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:25:15 GMT

@silentone we ended our landline several years ago when we moved to a new property. I plugged a phone in and within 2 days we'd had around 20 calls from scammers claiming to be every organisation. We've haven't used a landline since and the only scammy calls I get on my mobile are Three mobile sales people from India who barely speak English...

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:31:44 GMT

Think your missing the point.

Has BT surrendered to the scammers ???

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

c64z86 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:36:35 GMT

Being dismissive of the suggestions of people trying to help you, and then asking the same question again and again, is not going to help you get to the bottom of this problem.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:35:01 GMT

@silentonewrote:
Has BT surrendered to the scammers ???

No, you have.

Re: Has BT surrendered the landlines to the fraudsters and scammers ?

silentone — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:39:24 GMT

No one is trying to help, it appears the ball is in my court. So, no action from BT=More people scammed.