What’s a good way to deal with annoying cold-calling phone scammers?

I ENJOYED Tom Utley’s article about cold callers (Mail). After 40 years of working in public service, I am retired and have found myself with plenty of time to deal with the many cold calls I receive. Like Tom, I answer politely. Once I realise it’s an uninvited call, I encourage their chatter while I carry on washing up or cooking.

When the caller reaches the end of their script, I ask for a moment to consider their offer and it’s then that I advise them they have the wrong number.

At least for a while, I have prevented them from harassing someone else.

C. UFF, Bletchley, Bucks.

MY LATE wife, a committed Christian, would tell phone scammers: ‘Can I ask a question — are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?’ They never called again.

PETER LEWIS, Wigan, Gtr Manchester.

LIKE Tom Utley, I enjoy annoying cold callers rather than simply slamming down the phone. Among my favourites was telling an ambulance chasing legal company I had, indeed, been involved in an accident. I

explained I had just rushed upstairs to answer their call, put my back out in the process and wondered how much compensation to expect.

The call ended abruptly.

I tell double-glazing companies a salesman is welcome to call round. However, as I work shifts, only 3am any day of the week is possible. Fortunately, no one has called my bluff.

NIGEL GALLOWAY, Chichester, W. Sussex.

I’M NOT the victim when I answer nuisance calls.

I give the caller the chance to reflect on what they’re doing by asking if they could have got a better job had they paid more attention at school. Occasionally they attempt to convince me that what they do is worthwhile, ignoring the reason why they rang. Surprisingly, my wife often feels sorry for these callers. But I feel I’m providing a public service by giving them less time to pester others.

Name and address supplied. I WONDER if Tom Utley has been targeted by the latest scam. I’ve received an email saying the most recent EuroMillions winners want to share some of their money with me. All I need to do is give them my bank account details . . .

JEAN SMITH, Potton, Beds.

I RECEIVED a call from a scammer claiming to be from Microsoft. I was told he needed me to log on and allow him access to rectify an issue.

I said I’d need to go to my office upstairs, but it would take me some time as I was not as mobile as I once was. He said he was happy to hold. In fact, a trip upstairs takes me no longer than 15 seconds as I am fit and active, but I pretended it would take ten minutes due to a shrapnel wound in my leg. He stayed on the line, but as I groaned he did seem concerned. But whenever I said I needed to sit down, he said he would carry on holding because ‘it’s vital we connect to your computer’. Eventually, I told him I had reached the office. And then, between cries of anguish and some industrial language, I said I had just remembered I didn’t have a computer.

He slammed down the phone and I’ve never heard from ‘Microsoft’ again. I’m glad I wasted this poor sap’s time.

MIKE HILL, Market Drayton, Shrops.