'Private Numbers'

Oink

revell wrote: »

... If they do not leave msg or do not call back again, it is not going to be a serious matter. .

Diapason wrote: »

I rarely answer private numbers. If callers don't like it, tough! I have a phone for my convenience, not for their's.

I believe that wraps it up.

Unless it's mammy calling obviously.

DjFlin

Linoge wrote: »

Way I see it is;

Incoming call from Private Number = "That could be X. Defo dont want to talk to them and they know it! If it is not and it is something important the person will leave a message."

Incoming call from 0871234567 = "Who the hell is that?! It could be X, but at least they are not trying to hide who they are because they think/know i won't answer."

Why is someone paranoid just because they want to choose who they want to talk to and when?

Surely in an age where you are contactable in seconds, at every moment of the day, to people who you know and people you dont that this should actually be quite acceptable??!

Fair point. I'm lucky in that I dont have any X's to avoid :pac:

A lot of my friends (And my own) home numbers are private, so I generally answer them.

Eric Cartman

My voicemail states I dont answer private numbers , this leaves those private number people with 2 options, un-private or leave me a message with their number . Most companies hear this and ring me back on an actual number and others leave voicemails.

I had to do this because my phone number has fallen into a few peoples hands and I was getting a lot of calls from little scummers at all hours, since ive changed the message most of these have dropped off

MyKeyG

Diapason wrote: »

I have a phone for my convenience, not for their's.

I was going to make that exact point word for word! Well said

MyKeyG

DjFlin wrote: »

Maybe they'll leave a voice mail, maybe they won't. I'd rather just answer the phone.

Way I see it is;

Incoming call from Private Number = "Who the hell is that?"
Incoming call from 0871234567 = "Who the hell is that?"

I still don't know who's calling.

Yes but the argument is why someone should need to have a private number. There may be perfectly sound reasons but in my experience it's someone trying to sell you something or crank calling. I've had private numbers call and abuse me. If they called without hiding their number as in your example then I will answer but I can pass the number onto the Gardai.

Companies block their numbers so that people don't know who's calling and they can then catch them on the hop. We did it for that very reason in the last company I worked for.

Ultimately my point is that more often than not you can't trust a private number as being of importance. That's where voice-mail comes in.

Bens

I just downloaded software onto my phone that allows you to ignore or send straight to voicemail blocked or unblocked numbers. Even numbers not in your contact list.
A few of my friends have been using it and told me about it.
I think everyone should have this on thei phones, then you wont see too many blocked numbers in future.

sunflower27

UPC always call me from a 'private number' to offer broadband upgrade blah blah. Never answer now.

Tarkus

I've done all the 'heavy lifting' by paying to have a phone I can be reached at. All a caller has to do is let me know who it is I'm being interrupted for.

Even then I may not answer it. Just having a phone doesn't obligate me to answering every call no matter what I'm doing.

Just leave a message. If I don't call you back, at least you'll find out that it really isn't the private # but that I just don't like you...

Carter P Fly

I answer the phone when it rings because lots of people in work and customers have my number and their internal phone systems sometimes have caller ID blocked. Our office uses IP phones routed through international operators. Depending on those operators the number is often blocked and even when they display the number does not get through to the person who called youif you return the call.

It would be seriously stupid of me to ever say to anyone who we do buisness with that I didnt answer the call because the number didnt display.

Sam Vimes

StudentDad wrote: »

I thought I'd throw this in here as it is afterhours Some intrepid person keeps trying to ring me using a 'private number.' However, I will not answer 'private numbers.' I don't know it irritates me on some level I suppose.

Am I alone? Am I the only one who thinks in the day and age of 'own number sending' that it's bloody rude to hide your phone number?

SD

I haven't read the thread so someone might have already posted a similar story but this thread reminded me of this post from a few years ago:

barrett1965 wrote: »

My daughter has her number withheld because of all the prank calling amoung her friends; it's the only private number I will answer. I can understand teens blocking their ID, but adults - no. I personally find it a bit unsettling when I see 'private number' displayed on my mobile.

I guess he answers the call to find out who it is to see if he should answer the call or not

Owen

I have my iPhone jailbroken, and use iBlacklist to automatically bounce all private and unknown numbers (Yup, there's a difference) directly to voicemail. My voicemail then tells them that I'm unavailable, and if by chance they're calling from a blocked number that the phone rejects blocked calls, and to leave a voicemail. Covers all angles.

It's my phone, not yours, I'll chose how to use it.

herosa

when you buy a house and take out insurance and install things like landlines etc you seem to go on to every marketing list in the country. My door would knock at least twice a day

Hello this is airtricity/sky/bord gas/jehovas/kids wanting sponsored /travellers selling/charity workers for whatever.Until I left flatland and moved into an estate I had no idea of the amount of visits you would get from these people.

The phone is no different. Half the phone calls you are subjected to are bullsh*t.

Why should you let your dinner go cold or miss part of the film you were watching or rush out of the bathroom to deal with this drivel? Its not paranoia its just irritation. Eventually after a year or two living here I decided to take a spam approach both to door knocks and to calls. Any genuine visits I always know about in advance otherwise the door goes unanswered. My friends and families numbers show up in my phone.If someone hangs up and leaves a voicemail I will always check it and return the call if its genuine otherwise I ignore it.The mysterious callers rarely do leave voicemails which shows it was an unimportant call. Previous generations would never have dreamt of not answering the phone or door but they werent drowning in the amount of marketing drivel that we are. I think(depending on where you are living) that you could become a slave to your phone or your doorbell. I think you need to have controls in place. I have had this policy in place for several years with no negative consequences.

nlgbbbblth

I always answer private numbers.

Just hang up if you don't want to talk to them.

whubee

fair enough - miss the wedding/funeral/night out/old mate/interview/ex grovelling for your help and or privates

you can never be too careful betty, thats what i keep tellin these young folk, answerin blocked numbers, sure its madness.

Bens

Imagine being so scared you might miss something. Sad.

StudentDad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkdoogjic4I

How everyone should respond to cold callers

SD

Mike 1972

Carter P Fly wrote: »

I answer the phone when it rings because lots of people in work and customers have my number and their internal phone systems sometimes have caller ID blocked..

Youre using your phone for business purposes so of course youre going to answer it. Similarly a person looking for a job would probably take all calls (although why the fup a prospective employer wouldnt leave a voicemail is beyond me)

However Id safely wager that for the majority of people here are neither looking for a job or running a business right now (or if they are they use a separate phone for business) so your point is pretty irrelevant.

Solair

Ah, still loving UPC's *90 service

If anyone calls me from a private number, they get "The person you are calling does not wish to talk to callers who set their number to private.... "

Bliss! Even UPC can't get through to me

shannie

If you have a Samsung phone you can easily block the number in your 'Calls settings' but if you dont then you can download an app 'Call Control' and put any number or private numbers on your blacklist causing them calls to be bounced once they ring

Acoshla

My parent's house phone is a private number because my mother didn't want it in the phonebook, caused me endless grief in school/college when I had no credit in my mobile and needed to call friends, they never answered the feckin thing. I don't get it, such suspicion people have about private numbers, so what? Hang up if the person annoys you/tries to sell you something, is that not an option no? I answer all private numbers on my private and work mobiles and have never had a prank call or someone trying to sell me something, I've actually answered a few mobile numbers that were people trying to sell me advertising stuff, thought it was safe enough to answer mobile numbers! Just answer the bloody thing, the worst that can happen is that you have to hang up the phone.

nisior

Deleted User wrote: »

Sorry, I didn't mean a blind date. More someone who might have met the girl once and wants to pursue things further even though she has no interest.

Also, a mate of mine's little sister had a phantom fapper who used to call from a private number, Gardaí couldn't do much about it.

This happened to me a few years ago. I know it was a guy from school but he denied it and I had no proof. It was really gross and went on for over 3 years until I went to college. I changed my number 3 times but he got it everytime. My grandmother was in hospital a few times in that time so my aunt would call me and her house number was a private number so I had to answer meaning if it wasn't my aunt I got one of those phone calls...

Solair

You can override Caller ID default settings like this:

So, there's no excuse

Send Caller ID:

Landlines : (Eircom, UPC, Smart Telecom and even Blueface)
Prefix with 142.

Mobiles:
Prefix with *34# (or check menus)

Withhold Caller ID:

Landlines : (Eircom, UPC, Smart Telecom and even Blueface)
Prefix with 141

Mobiles:
Prefix with #34#

Brian017

I never answer Private Numbers. If it's important they are welcome to leave a voicemail and i'll get back to them

rubadub

Acoshla wrote: »

My parent's house phone is a private number because my mother didn't want it in the phonebook

So when you said the following to your mother

Acoshla wrote: »

Hang up if the person annoys you/tries to sell you something, is that not an option no?

Just answer the bloody thing, the worst that can happen is that you have to hang up the phone.

could you still not convince her to make her number public?

If not why not? people who do not answer probably have similar reasons as she does.

Sundy

I got a call from the Garda station, it was a private number. Glad i answered it.

Oh and i always answer private numbers, doesnt take too long to figure out who is calling and if i want to talk to them.

Mickey H

Solair wrote: »

Ah, still loving UPC's *90 service

If anyone calls me from a private number, they get "The person you are calling does not wish to talk to callers who set their number to private.... "

Bliss! Even UPC can't get through to me

The ultimate paradox!

seanbmc

Been getting calls on my phone from Optical Express, I don't want to hear from them so everytime I see the uk number I don't answer.

They've been trying to call me on a private number too lately, I just send them straight to voicemail.

Why do people even use private numbers?

Oranage2

seanbmc wrote: »

Been getting calls on my phone from Optical Express, I don't want to hear from them so everytime I see the uk number I don't answer.

They've been trying to call me on a private number too lately, I just send them straight to voicemail.

Why do people even use private numbers?

I either use it to ring back a number I dont reckonize or when I'm pranking somebody

ToxicPaddy

Nearly all private numbers that come to my phone are sales calls, if its that important they can leave me a message and I'll get back to them. They never show their number and never leave a voicemail so its obviously not important so why should I waste my time talking to them.. thats my logic anyway. :pac:

oppiuy

I never answer anymore. I get 3 or 4 calls a week from MBNA, asking to make extra payments even thou i have set up a weekily standing order and im not in arrears. The calls used to be from India. I complained several times and nothing happened. All of a sudden they stopped for a couple of weeks and then started up again. I answered and the girl said that the service had moved back to ireland and the details were lost but she would make sure the calls stopped. Well they havent and they are bloody annoying. As i dont like to be rude or angry at some poor soul who is not responsible and just doing their job and i figure it must be costing them an awful lot to ring me so sometimes ill never answer other times ill answer and leave the phone down and continue on with what im doing

Dyr

some ESB depts call from private numbers and then ask you to confirm your details, answer private questions etc. If that is'nt setting your customers up to be scammed I don't know what is.

the groutch

I'll answer private numbers, worse that can happen is it's a telemarketer, you tell them to eff off and hang up.
What I hate is genuine callers using private number, and not leaving a voice message, so all you know is that someone tried to ring you, but you have no idea who it was

Agricola

Cant stand people who purposely block their number. "Friend" of mine is a complete gadget freak, always has the latest iphone (and is always telling people about how great it is) but despite the all singing all dancing phone, he will rarely if ever leave a voicemail, send a follow up text or an email. He insists on always ringing with a blocked number and generally keeps it up, once a day or so, untill he gets bored and gives up.

What i dislike about it in this case is that its used as a ploy to catch me on the hop. Hes always asking me to do things for him, (yeah sexy things) or inviting me to places I have no interest in going. Obviously by catching me unawares its harder to make up a story about washing my hair or whatever. Christ I hate that. People should always be given the option to make up some bull**** to get out of engagements IMO, its only manners!

OakeyDokey

Don't answer private numbers unless I am expecting an important phonecall, I don't see the point in people having their number blocked the whole time especially when you're trying to get a hold of family or friends.

Tar.Aldarion

Just dunno how anybody talked to anybody before caller id existed. Lots of unused phones back then I tells ya



jesus

Jaxxy

Don't answer any private numbers, it's usually someone looking to relieve me of my hard-earned cash in some way.

robbie_998

got a call of a private number earlier.



answered...



low and behold i now have a new job.

Dyr

robbie_998 wrote: »

got a call of a private number earlier.



answered...



low and behold i now have a new job.

The sneaky bastards

robbie_998

Bambi wrote: »

The sneaky bastards

no... no their not.... its just whatever way the phones are set up in the company.


just answer private numbers... its not the end of the world if you do.

Gardai also call from private numbers. (im sure they'll be pissed if you ignored them)

YFlyer

I just got a call from a private number. Was online and as soon as I attempted to answer. The call stopped.

YFlyer

YFlyer wrote: »

I just got a call from a private number. Was online and as soon as I attempted to answer. The call stopped.

Google the number, but don't call it back. There's a scam going round where you get calls that end quickly and when you call back it's somewhere like Bulgaria and your credit is drained. I've had a few calls from unknown numbers and places I've no connections to, I'd assume the worst and if it's a genuine call they'll get back to you if it's important.

YFlyer

Candie wrote: »

Google the number, but don't call it back. There's a scam going round where you get calls that end quickly and when you call back it's somewhere like Bulgaria and your credit is drained. I've had a few calls from unknown numbers and places I've no connections to, I'd assume the worst and if it's a genuine call they'll get back to you if it's important.

Ah sorry. No number came up.

YFlyer

YFlyer wrote: »

Ah sorry. No number came up.

I didn't take that bit in! Probably legit so, if it's important they'll call back and if you choose not to answer they can always text you.

YFlyer

YFlyer wrote: »

I just got a call from a private number. Was online and as soon as I attempted to answer. The call stopped.

If they didn't leave a voicemail I wouldn't worry about it further. I don't answer unknown numbers anyway, I let the call run through to the machine provided they don't give up first. If the matter is serious a message will be left.

YFlyer

Candie wrote: »

I didn't take that bit in! Probably legit so, if it's important they'll call back and if you choose not to answer they can always text you.

I tried to answer. However sometimes if I'm online, the answer feature doesn't kick in.

s1ippy

I've found myself having to use private number as I'm working from home and don't want to give out my personal one. My colleagues are all having to do it as well. Rather than change my number for every call, I call friends and family with private number these days too. After a couple of funny "Hello???"s when it happened first, they all just assume it's me now.

Irony is I don't answer private numbers myself.

fortwilliam

Why are people so afraid of any kind of pre-predictable conversation?

Let me make it clear for you poor wussies...

- Private number calls you
- You: Hello, who is calling?
- Know/Like who it is? - Continue conversation
- Not know/Like who it is? - Press red button

Anything complicated about that?

I’ve the phone set to not ring for any number that I haven’t saved in my contacts. Job done.

Portmanteau

fortwilliam wrote: »

Why are people so afraid of any kind of pre-predictable conversation?

Let me make it clear for you poor wussies...

- Private number calls you
- You: Hello, who is calling?
- Know/Like who it is? - Continue conversation
- Not know/Like who it is? - Press red button

Anything complicated about that?

Yeah fear of blocked/unknown numbers is bizarre.

endacl

problemchimp wrote: »

why not?

Screening. When a number shows I know if I’m in the humour to talk to the caller. I’ve no idea when it’s a private number. They can leave a message and I’ll use that to decide if I’m in the humour to talk to them or not.