We at TCA receive many calls querying how these companies may have obtained their data and how can they stop these nuisance calls. Some people pay for various services that screen their home phone but there are many pitfalls to these services, they can stop genuine callers from getting through and on the flip side, many notorious call center operatives have ways of getting round these services, worst of all the new scam is the rogue call screening services that not only take your money, but also sell your data on further!
In the 21st century, most people within your social or business circle will use your mobile phone number if they want to reach you, to the point where a percentage of people aren’t using a home telephone at all. You also know if your mobile phone is ringing, it’s someone you want to talk to, not a cold caller – or at least you did….
Cold call companies – and even worse, scammers – are no bombarding people’s mobile phone numbers like never before. As people are decreasing their home phone usage, they are giving their mobile phones out more readily when filling out a form, applying for a credit card or store loyalty program and even to courier services so you don’t miss an important delivery.
All of the above services will sell your personal data in a heartbeat, even though most say they “don’t share your number with third parties” or “will only use your number to contact you if there’s a problem with your order/application.”
The theory is, you can turn your mobile off and as you see the caller ID you can screen your calls easier, but in reality they are still as much of a nuisance than your home phone ringing, if not worse as you have your mobile phone within reach 24/7 and the calls come in during working hours, interrupting your work.
Beyond the annoyance of the interruptions and the sales pitches is the very real personal-information security threat of such calls.
There are fraud cases where hackers aren’t calling you to sell you a timeshare, but to get personal information or hack your mobile phone.
One new scam hangs up on the caller as soon as the person answers. Curiosity always gets the better of all of us and they know we will have to call back to see who it was. In this scam the call directs to a premium rate line that keeps you on the phone while call charges are being racked up.
If you receive a call from a number you don’t recognize and they hang up don’t call them back and open yourself up to more annoying calls – or worse.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk