Scam calls - question re blocking unknown numbers

[jstomlin]

Having had a number of BT scam calls from India today, including 01259099985 which was a pre-recorded message about being cut-off, I decided to use my BT Call Protect and blacklist this number.

I noticed the earlier calls came up as "Unknown" - this does not seem to be an option to blacklist.  Can I block them, if so how, and if I do will I also be blocking some legitimate calls?

I have the same questions were I to block numbers that come up as "Withheld"?

[pompey1898]

Hi @jstomlin ,

You can block them in call protect with settings as follows :-

[NeilO]

Hi @jstomlin, as @pompey1898 has confirmed you can block these types of calls from the call protect management pages. You can access this by 

• Logging onto www.bt.com/btcallprotect with your BT ID
• Using the My BT app
• Calling 1572 free from your home phone

It's possible that legitimate callers may be calling from an unknown or withheld number but these callers will be sent to your Junk voicemail so they can leave a message which can be listened to by calling 1572.

[CypriotForexScam]

Is there anyway of blocking calls from India? They use UK Dialing codes but are all coming from India selecting ''Block international calls doesn't stop them. I could select ''Block from unknown numbers'' but will this send genuine callers to voicemail?

How can I compile a list of known numbers so that they get through?

I cannot block withheld numbers as my employer and Health Services do this?

Are BT, other operators lobbying UK & the Indian government about this its got to be harming Indian business and UK companies that have set up call centres over there?  I am now assuming anyone who calls with an Indian accent is a scammer. Indians and those with similar accents working here must also be getting affected as when they call I immediately believe they are a scammer as 99% of calls off Indian accented callers are to me.

[VeteranISPUser]

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@CypriotForexScamwrote:

How can I compile a list of known numbers so that they get through?

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hi @CypriotForexScam   

BT and others produce a range of phones to do exactly this. They are called Call Guardian or Nuisance Call Blocker phones.

https://shop.bt.com/brands/bt-910/electronics,telephony,telephones/11206-58450000

[Andy_N]

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@CypriotForexScamwrote:

Is there anyway of blocking calls from India? They use UK Dialing codes but are all coming from India selecting ''Block international calls doesn't stop them. I could select ''Block from unknown numbers'' but will this send genuine callers to voicemail?

How can I compile a list of known numbers so that they get through?

I cannot block withheld numbers as my employer and Health Services do this?

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The scammers use VoIP systems not specifically UK dialling codes, and the calls are not going through the international gateways - so will not have an international call flag set, hence setting "International call block" will not work.

[CypriotForexScam]

Do those offer anything other than what I can do on ''MyBt''? I.e I can block a number once its dialled, I can select what type of numbers to block.

[VeteranISPUser]

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@CypriotForexScamwrote:
Do those offer anything other than what I can do on ''MyBt''? I.e I can block a number once its dialled, I can select what type of numbers to block.

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Hi @CypriotForexScam   If you are referring to Nuisance Call Blocker phones, they perform the opposite of BT Protect. Instead of blocking numbers you programme them to allow numbers. All numbers not in your contact list are intercepted and they have to announce themselves. I have found that hospitals and genuine callers are happy to do this but cold callers never do and you are never disturbed.