Finally, BT to crack down on nuisance calls

BT is cracking down on nuisance phone calls with a service to divert unwanted numbers into a junk voicemail box.

The firm says its Call Protect initiative, launched this week, will block up to 30million nuisance calls a week.

Developers analyse live data to identify rogue numbers – typically those that make enormous numbers of calls – and add them to a blacklist. Nuisance callers identified by large numbers of customers will be added to the list.

Recent data by BT found that it could divert up to 15million calls a week from personal accident claims and PPI firms alone.

The service, available for BT customers to opt into for free, diverts calls before they reach homes. This is different from other services, which have often been hampered by nuisance callers changing their numbers to avoid detection.

Users will also be able to compile their own personal blacklist by adding individual unwanted numbers by dialling 1572 after receiving the call or by going online.

A survey for BT found that customers receive an average of four nuisance calls a week, and 60 per cent find them stressful.

John Petter, chief executive of the BT consumer section, said: ‘We’ve been at the forefront of equipping our customers to defend themselves against the huge numbers of PPI and unwanted marketing calls that are continuing to grow.

‘Now, with our unique technology, we can identify and tackle huge numbers of those calls in the network and also give our customers control over the calls they receive.’

Digital minister Matt Hancock said: ‘Nuisance callers are a terrible blight on society and Government and industry are working together to crack down on them.

‘We’ve forced companies to display their numbers when they call you, made it easier to prosecute those involved in making the calls and increased the maximum fines up to £500,000.

‘We welcome BT’s new service, which offers customers an additional level of protection, helping them to fight back against this ongoing harassment.’

Mobile phone users were given an easier way to block nuisance cold calls last May

Texting the letters ‘TPS’ plus your email address to 78070 adds your mobile to the list of blocked numbers under a scheme from telecoms regulator Ofcom and marketing call watchdog, Telephone Preference Service.

In theory this will stop firms in the UK bombarding people with calls about PPI refunds, accident claims, pension advice or solar panels. One cold call company that bombarded millions of people was fined a record £850,000. National Advice Clinic had made nearly six million calls in just seven months up to April 2015.