How to block nuisance calls on Virgin landline is crucial because this provides better peace of mind.
Nothing is more frustrating than being disturbed by an annoying ring. These phone calls certainly gave you so much disturbance, stress, and fear for your security.
Have you experienced receiving these stressful rings?
The truth is that you are not alone. Fortunately, this article will give you guidance about these unwanted rings and how to get rid of them.
Types of Nuisance Calling on Landline
Whether you are a user of Virgin, Sky or BT you must be aware of this issue. Let us identify some of the spam calls we used to encounter.
Take a look at how it differs from one another and determine if you experience one of these annoying calls.
# Unsolicited Calling
Also called cold calls, unsolicited calling are unwanted phone calls we receive from companies offering or selling products.
These are not illegal, yet they are required to get your consent before marketing their services.
# Scam Rings
Scam calls are the most frequent type. This spam calling type involves a caller pretending someone they are not. The caller will present to us a problem and offer solutions to it.
However, they will ask for either your money or access to personal details in exchange for these solutions.
# Malicious Phone
These annoying callers intend to upset or pressure us to get our data, which makes us very distressed. It usually contains obscene suggestions, personal threats, or worse, abusive statements.
The dialers from these mentioned calls often withdraw their details and contact information.
According to the Telecommunications Act of 1984 (Section 43), making malicious calling is considered a criminal offence.
How to Block Nuisance Calls on Landline
These unwanted callings are so irritating and distracting it interrupts our daily lives. Worse, these can cause anxiety, stress, and depression for some vulnerable individuals.
Here are some ways on how to block nuisance calls on Virgin landline or any other landline like BT and Sky.
1. Report a Nuisance Call
Fortunately, there are organizations you can complain to if you receive unwanted rings from an unknown number.
These organizations include your phone operator, TPS, Of-Com, and ICO. These complaints can be beneficial in fighting against the issues of nuisance calls.
2. Register with TPS
The Telephone Provider Service (TPS) is the only registration service to help you do the call blocking for your landline including Virgin Media.
This service helps record your personal preference in not receiving unwanted calls. It may not penalize offending individuals, but it will take it to ICO for legal actions.
You can check their website or call their registration line 0345 070 0707, and this is free. It usually takes 28 days to take effect.
This service applies to your actual landline number and cannot be transferred if you have to change your landline details.
3. Manage Your Incoming Callings
Use the call blocking feature of your provider as much as you can. These call blockers help you avoid unwanted calling to a larger extent.
Whatever operator you are using, just make sure you implement these features in the Operator provided call blocker:
- Enable Caller display- this helps you identify who is calling you, which makes you decide to Answer it or not.
- Enable Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR)- ACR service reduces your incoming calls from withheld numbers.
4. Consider Upgrading to Landline Handsets
Some of the home phones have some features that will help you to block these unnecessary callings. Most providers including Virgin, BT, Sky, etc have these advanced handsets.
We have listed the best landline sets for your convenience.
The features of high-end landline handsets include:
Unspecified call blocking or silencing
Once the landline receives an anonymous call, it can either send back a busy tone to assume you are engaged. It can also bring the caller to the answering machine without any ring to avoid disturbance.
Blacklist
The landline gives you the freedom to add an unidentified number on the blacklist section. Calls from the blacklisted number will receive a busy tone or be sent to the answering machine without ringing.
Do not Disturb feature
You can set the phone not to ring for a specific time. When it does, the unwanted rings will become silent to the answering machine unless the caller is on the VIP list.
To enjoy the mentioned services on your landline, you must subscribe to the Caller Display first.
5. Purchase A Call-Blocker Or Call-Blocker Phone
Besides getting the free call blockers, you can also buy devices that can be plugged into the landline.
These devices will intercept the call even before it rings and can block unwanted calls for you. If you are looking for a permanent solution to unwanted calls, this device can be of great help.
Most call blockers are easy to use and are elderly-friendly. In addition to blocking spam calls, these devices can even protect you from unwanted messages.
We have listed the best call blocker that you can purchase to remove these unwanted callings forever.
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How to Protect Yourself from Unwanted Ringing
If you want to get rid of these nuisance calls on Virgin, Sky, or BT you must be proactive also. Some preventive measures can help you reduce the number of spam calls.
The following are more precautions that you must do to give yourself additional protection against nuisance rings:
1. Be Careful in Who to Give Your Number
Sometimes, you have to give your number in availing products, but consider first if you can trust them.
For a company to contact you, you have to tell them beforehand. That is why you must carefully read every signing form.
Sometimes, these documents will ask you if they can use your details in marketing.
2. Always Ask the Caller’s Details
Most of us will shut the phone when receiving unwanted calls. But if you decide to talk to the caller, he can give you his information like his name and organization.
This action is not to entertain them, but to notify them you are not interested in their services.
If you are unsure whether to avail of the products yet the caller pressures you, it is time to shut it down.
3. Never Give Your Details
Be careful in giving your details, especially in telephone conversations. Never answer the phone by stating your name and other information or put them in your voicemail.
In phone conversations, let the caller state his name and details first. It will help you confirm if he is from a credible company.
However, be aware that there are callers who are not revealing their real identities.
Finally, if someone calls you asking for personal financial information, never mention it.
Be sure to check if the call is genuine. Wait for at least five minutes before making a call to ensure the line is cleared, and you are talking to a real staff.
4. If Something Happens, Make a Complaint
When you receive a nuisance call, note the essential details like the person’s name, contact details, date, and time. Then, make a formal complaint to the authorities or communication regulator.
Conclusion
With technological opportunities nowadays, unwanted calls are present to steal and even destroy a person’s peace and reputation.
If you are a victim of a nuisance call, companies like Virgin Media can assist with your complaints.
Fortunately, they can help us with these cases and how to block nuisance calls on a virgin landlines or any other landlines.
Read Next: Virgin Mobile Upgrade: All you Should Know
Best Call Blockers Available
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues.