Another question for Bensonby
Another question for Bensonby
I've noticed an increase of not just unsolicited, but obviously dodgy phone calls, e.g. from operations telling me that my Skybox needs upgrading - something I do not have. One of them recently gave me a number to ring back on, which I thought touchingly naive. So, Bensonby, is this something to raise with the police? Would it not be possible for them to trace these phone calls? I tried, and they politely took some details, but suggested I contact Sky.
The trouble with a lot of these sort of things is that they often originate from outside the UK and, as such, are beyond the reach of the long arm of the law....and there would be little the police could do.
I'd contact your phone-service provider in the first instance. If they thought it merited police involvement then they'd pass it on or request it themselves. This is because they are the ones who ultimately have control over the phone lines and will be able to trace the calls and so on. Also, if any crimes have been committed they will able to do the initial investigating and hand over their findings to police. This stops the inevitable to-ing and fro-ing of requests and data-protection stuff that would invariably happen if the police were doing it and requesting new bits and bobs of info as the need arose if they were investigating themselves and having to request new bits over and over again.
Also, contacting Sky might be an idea - has someone been using your identity? Has there been a mistake along the line? Again, it would be much more efficient if you were to do this than the police......indeed, on the face of it, it doesn't look like any obvious offences have been committed yet and, as such, the police would have nothing specific to investigate.
NB. I'm more than happy to post opinions on stuff. Indeed, I enjoy it. However, as it stands these are personal opinions and not those of any organisation. If you want some proper legal or practical advice then seek a solicitor or visit a police station. I'm not taking any responsibility when your life savings end up transferred to some account in a distant land after you do, or do not, do something as a result of something I've posted :p I must emphatically state that I am not a solicitor.
That goes for anyone that asks a question of me
I'd contact your phone-service provider in the first instance. If they thought it merited police involvement then they'd pass it on or request it themselves. This is because they are the ones who ultimately have control over the phone lines and will be able to trace the calls and so on. Also, if any crimes have been committed they will able to do the initial investigating and hand over their findings to police. This stops the inevitable to-ing and fro-ing of requests and data-protection stuff that would invariably happen if the police were doing it and requesting new bits and bobs of info as the need arose if they were investigating themselves and having to request new bits over and over again.
Also, contacting Sky might be an idea - has someone been using your identity? Has there been a mistake along the line? Again, it would be much more efficient if you were to do this than the police......indeed, on the face of it, it doesn't look like any obvious offences have been committed yet and, as such, the police would have nothing specific to investigate.
NB. I'm more than happy to post opinions on stuff. Indeed, I enjoy it. However, as it stands these are personal opinions and not those of any organisation. If you want some proper legal or practical advice then seek a solicitor or visit a police station. I'm not taking any responsibility when your life savings end up transferred to some account in a distant land after you do, or do not, do something as a result of something I've posted :p I must emphatically state that I am not a solicitor.
That goes for anyone that asks a question of me
I find this site invaluable:
http://whocallsme.com/
Just pop the number in there. Assuming it isn't showing up as 'out of area' or 'private caller' on the caller ID screen. At least you can tell who it is and make contact by return to tell them to remove you, which if they don't, can be escalated to an OFCom matter.
You could also try the Telephone Preference Service to get your number removed from most cold-call lists?
http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/
http://whocallsme.com/
Just pop the number in there. Assuming it isn't showing up as 'out of area' or 'private caller' on the caller ID screen. At least you can tell who it is and make contact by return to tell them to remove you, which if they don't, can be escalated to an OFCom matter.
You could also try the Telephone Preference Service to get your number removed from most cold-call lists?
http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/