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How can I stop nuisance or scam calls?

 

 

We have lots of calling features to help you deal with unwanted calls. There are four main types: Marketing and sales calls - someone trying to sell you something, Anonymous Call Reject - lets you block calls from withheld numbers,Malicious calls - calls that aim to distress you and...

Here are two ways we can help you with nuisance calls.

Use BT Call Protect

This is a simple service giving you control to stop unwanted calls. It will send nuisance calls to a junk voicemail, and will help to stop the worst offending nuisance and scam calls.

To find out more and how to activate it, go to www.bt.com/help/bt-call-protect.

Contact our Nuisance Calls Bureau

Alternatively, please call our Nuisance Calls Bureau team on 0800 411422. They are available to investigate malicious calls, call spoofing and other scam calls for you Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5pm.

 

There are five main types of unwanted calls:

In addition to activating BT Call Protect, you should ask the company to stop calling you and remove you from their calling list. Some marketing calls start with a recorded message. Listen to the whole message, as some have an option that lets you stop these types of calls from the company.

You can also cut down these calls by signing up for the Telephone Preference Service. It's free to sign up and makes your phone number unavailable to companies that might try to call you. Once you're signed up, you should only get marketing calls from companies you've allowed to contact you.

We also offer Caller Display which allows you to see the number of the person who’s calling. The service is free and you can sign up at www.bt.com/myfeatures.


Fraudsters are known to make calls claiming to work for us, when it's actually a scam. They may ask you for personal information or want access to your computer. Don't be fooled, this is fraud.

For more information, or to report a scam call, visit www.bt.com/help/home/scams/.


Malicious calls can be upsetting, but you can take some simple precautions when answering the phone.

  • Stay calm and don't talk to the caller.
  • Don't give away any personal information or answer the phone with your name or number.
  • Keep your answerphone message short and to the point.
  • Keep note of these calls.

If you're getting abusive, threatening or obscene calls, then you should report them to the police. It will help if you note down the date, time and number that called, along with any other information.

 

Calling services that can help:

  • BT Call Protect - sends nuisance and unwanted calls to a junk voicemail.
  • Caller Display - lets you see the number that's calling you before you answer.
  • BT 1471 - dial 1471 to check the number that last called you.
  • Ex-directory - take your number off the telephone directory.
  • Contact our Nuisance Calls Bureau team on 0800 411422.

 

Find out more at bt.com/unwantedcalls >


A lot of silent calls come from automatic dialling equipment in call centres, where more calls are made than there are operators available to handle them. To help stop these silent calls, you can register your number with the Telephone Preference Service >

It's free to sign up and makes your phone number unavailable to companies that might try to call you. Once you're signed up, you should only get marketing calls from companies you've allowed to contact you.

We also offer Caller Display which allows you to see the number of the person who’s calling. The service is free and you can sign up at www.bt.com/myfeatures.

Find out more at bt.com/unwantedcalls >


You will receive text calls if you've been sent a text message and don't have a text-enabled phone. An electronic voice will read the message out.

You can stop them by calling 0800 587 5252 from the landline you're receiving them on.

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