When I got one of these calls last we I did 1471 and the number was 000000000 very strange, by the way I told the indian caller to **** off he hung up!!

briskem1, the 000000000 I have also come across this and I thought it may have come from abroad the call. Believe you me, the language is very blue in my house when I start, but for some reason they dont seem to take any notice. Maybe they cant understand my geordie accent.

Usuallly if its via a foreign call centre there is a time delay.I just hang up before they even start.

Thanks for the info, George. I have had my phone number changed three times due to unsolicited calls and BT did it for me every time - the last time about four years ago - free of charge. I have always been with BT and never changed though. I wonder if that makes a difference?

Briskem, every time I do a 1471 on an unsolicited call I get "number withheld" - isn't that a standard call centre thing?

George, how did you identify the bogus calls....and have you worked out what area the 01977 prefix comes from? I used to be fairly good, having been a telephone receptionist, at working out what part of the country a certain telephone prefix came from, but that one is new on me...you know 020 London, etc.

Let us know how long it takes George.

I think you will find that these codes come up as from Pontefract if you Google them

I just put phone down on them

my mum is funny, started asking what weather was like his end, how is family was, how old he was, how many children he had. Never phoned again lol

I got one this morning. " Hello ( in a Indian voice), I'm from your broadband supplier". Oh yes and who might they be? Phone goes dead.
The other week I had a similar encouter and asked the same questio and the idiot on the other end tried to guess!!

I just unplugged my phone no more calls at all ... if there important enough i've given them my 'not for junk' Email address and mobile number.

Last night the friendly beat bobby called at the house to check how the calls were going since reporting it and to find out if mum was getting her number changed. While this policeman was in the house talking to mum the phone rang. Yes it was an asian sounding person who would not hang up and kept the line busy. Even when the policeman spoke and said who he was, this stupid person would not hang up. According to the PC, because of this he will open a criminal file against the number which called and they will get the help of the local force. The number was in Pontefract. So thanks for pointing that out Janet Spencer.
Should I get any further information I will post on here.

Great result, George....what a stroke of luck the phone ringing just as the bobby was there too! Ideal result. Useful knowing where the trouble comes from....wonder what is so special about Pontefract, though?! Anyone know??

It's famous for it's liquorice!

We have had a number of very dubious calls even though we are ex directory and I was told that you cannot stop them or block them if the call centre is based outside the UK.
The Wales ones may not be actually coming from there but from some where abroad and being rerouted.

Hi Friendlylynn, long time no here. hope you have been well.
Depending on your telephone supplier, if you are being harassed, or even slightly threatened by over zealous sales people, your supplier should change your number free of charge, provided you have reported it to the police.
The numbers I pointed out above have all been rerouted via a Pontefract exchange and originate in India, Thailand and Nigeria. Since I did this for my mum, no dodgy calls, only family and friends.