withheld/unknown number

LegacyUser · 14-10-2009 10:29PM #1

I have been getting a lot of missed calls on my mobile the past week or two from a withheld/unknown number. To be honest I purposely didn't answer most of the time. I generally don't if a number is blocked. Is there any way of finding out who is calling apart form answering?

It is starting to freak me out a little. I have my suspisions about who it is (a guy who i don't know well at all). I can't change my number. What can or should I do?

minidazzler · 14-10-2009 10:36PM

Answer, find out who it is, if it's someone you don't wanna talk to hang up.

Probably not the answer you wanted but it's the simplest.

LegacyUser · 14-10-2009 10:45PM

OP here. I've not answered about 10 - 15 call in the past two weeks. The fact that they keep ringing is what is freaking me out. Why hide behind a blocked number? Most people who do leave a message but using blocked number and not leaving a message is a bit weird I think.

scarymoon1 · 14-10-2009 10:57PM

that happened me once. kept missing calls from an unknown number. eventually i answered and it was AIB doing a survey! they always ring from an unknown number. Just answer it, whats the worst that can happen??!!!

LegacyUser · 14-10-2009 11:22PM

Agree with Scarymoon - I keep getting calls from MBNA trying to sell something - it's always from an unknown number & they never leave a message. So it's probably something like that.

laura l · 15-10-2009 12:53AM

"private number" can also be someone ringing from a landline that is ex-directory. hth

Fiend-Foe · 15-10-2009 05:15AM

A lot of landlines are ex-directory. Saying someone is "hiding behind" an unknown number is a bit extreme unless you know for sure whoever it is has malicious intent. Just answer the phone and find out who it is. For years and years nobody knew who was calling until they answered the phone. But to answer your question there is no way to find out who it is except by answering. Even your provider can't tell you, I know this from experience as I was getting prank calls for a while.

kmick · 15-10-2009 09:47AM

Just answer - whats the worst that can happen? I have to laugh when this topic comes up every time "I cant change my number". Of course you can change your number the only stopping you is your imagination. Justin Timberlake is seeing someone ok!

Oh The Humanity · 15-10-2009 10:20AM

Just reject the calls. Hit the red button usually used to hang up. The person will soon get fed up when they never get through.

LegacyUser · 15-10-2009 10:24AM

Op again. I am looking for work at the moment so if I change my number potential employers and recruitment agencies (who already have my number) won't have a contact number for me so it's not really an option.

I didn't know ex-directory number don't show up. But I don't know anyone ex-directory.

LegacyUser · 15-10-2009 10:29AM

OP here.

If it is who I think it is calling they obviously know their number is blocked and should have the cop on to know I would think is it weird or am getting freaked out. I'm female by the way!

Colonel_McCoy · 15-10-2009 10:30AM

If its freaking you out just answer the phone, could be somebody genuine, a lot of business are ex directory for example recruitment agencies, banks etc

Miaireland · 15-10-2009 10:36AM

Answer it, you have nothing to lose. I was getting them yesterday and it turned out to be vodafone.

dudara · 15-10-2009 10:37AM

It's probably a business trying to contact you - I'd say you're reading too much into it.

bangersandmash · 15-10-2009 10:43AM

OP again wrote: »

Op again. I am looking for work at the moment so if I change my number potential employers and recruitment agencies (who already have my number) won't have a contact number for me so it's not really an option.

If you've given out your number recently then it's not as if you shouldn't be expecting these calls. It's quite possible that it's an employer or agency trying to contact you. They may be concealing their number if they're calling from a personal/internal number which they don't want to give out.

It may be a little annoying but it's not weird or unusual. Banks make private number calls all the time.

By not answering the phone you're potentially missing out on work. Is that not reason enough to answer?

Fiend-Foe · 15-10-2009 10:43AM

I don't see why you wouldn't just answer it, seems a bit strange and over cautious to me. I get calls from private numbers all the time, lots of my friends are. Doesn't bother me.

Anyway, seen as it does bother you so much, is there anyway you could have a male friend, your brother or father answer the phone and suss out who it is. If its someone you don't want to talk to they can say its the wrong number.

ridonkulous · 15-10-2009 10:48AM

Fiend-Foe wrote: »

Even your provider can't tell you, I know this from experience as I was getting prank calls for a while.

Trust me they can. They could give you any amount of information about the call that they wish. It just so happens that more often then not they could not be bothered.

15-10-2009 10:54AM

I don't mean to be rude, but not answering a phone call from a private number is ridiculous, unless you have a real reason to worry, like a stalker/obsessed ex or nuisance calls in the past. What can possibly happen to you if you answer the phone? Worst case scenario, it's some weirdo, you hang up. You do realise that most recruitment agencies call you from private numbers? And also doctors, dentists etc? I've had 3 this morning, and they were all legit. Why on earth would you assume it was anything sinister??

Especially if you are looking for work! Would you not expect calls? Recruitment/temp agencies and the like don't usually leave messages - if you don't answer, they just call someone else.

LegacyUser · 15-10-2009 11:02AM

OP again.

Like I said I think I know who it might be and don't want him calling me and he knows this. I don't want to go into detail.

My bank, phone provider etc always leave voice mail and ring my landline anyway.

In my experience recruitment agencies leave messages. I wouldn't risk missing a call from a potential employer but I am getting freaked out.

Fiend-Foe · 15-10-2009 11:05AM

ridonkulous wrote: »

Trust me they can. They could give you any amount of information about the call that they wish. It just so happens that more often then not they could not be bothered.

Yeah sorry, I should have said won't instead of can't. I meant its no use asking them anyhow.

dubdcugirly · 15-10-2009 11:31AM

Hi there,
I used to have the same problem myself and again I had a feeling I knew who it was. I answered a few times and they would say nothing, i could just hear them breathing down the phone or else they would push buttons on their phone.

So I stopped answering and it didnt work to be honest, they persistently rang at least twice or three times a day. I was about to change my number when I decided to give it one more go. I answered and as soon as I knew it was the same type of phonecall I handed my phone to my brother, who simply said who is this, leave my sister alone etc etc in not so polite terms and that was the last of it! Unfortunately some people get there kicks out of annoying/freaking you out.

But if an angry voice doesn't scare them - change your number, if you applied for jobs its very easy to send an email to them all with your new number, could even work to your advantage as it'll put you back in their mind

!

ibarelycare · 15-10-2009 11:32AM

OP again wrote: »

Op again. I am looking for work at the moment so if I change my number potential employers and recruitment agencies (who already have my number) won't have a contact number for me so it's not really an option.

I didn't know ex-directory number don't show up. But I don't know anyone ex-directory.

FGS :rolleyes: You could be missing out on many opportunities here from potential employers. It's probably not someone PURPOSELY blocking their number, they're more than likely just ringing from an ex-directory number. Just answer, you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

martdalto · 15-10-2009 11:54AM

If you're suspicious that it's this bloke, then get someone else to answer, ask who it is and say they have the wrong number.

If you are currently looking for work and have recently sent CVs to recruitment agencies (and the calls have started since), it's more likely to be them.

They are probably not leaving a message, because if they don't get you they'll just move onto the next number they have??

Answer it, or get someone to answer for you.

kittenkiller · 15-10-2009 12:03PM

OP with each post you sound more and more paranoid.

You're handing out CV's left right and centre but not answering your phone when someone calls from a private number?
That's just crazy!
I block my office number if I'm calling randomers who I don't want having my number to use whenever they feel like it.
Tonnes of people block their landline too.

Get over it!
If a brick is thrown through your window, call the police, if a private number calls, answer it!
Anything between those two scenarios is up to you!

Jumbo156 · 15-10-2009 12:58PM

Just to say. When I make a call from work to a mobile, it shows up at the other end as unknown number/number withheld
the calls you are getting could easily be employment oppurtunities looking to talk to you.
Just answer it, you don't know that it is the same unknown number ringing you every time.

John Mason · 15-10-2009 12:58PM

I am not sure why but in my company, all outgoing telephone numbers are blocked.

so if you applied for a job in my place, you just missed your interview

just answer the phone and then hang up if you dont like who is on the other end. its hardly rocket science.

but i do hope you havent applied for any office jobs, as about 50% of my calls come from blocked numbers.

RossFixxxed · 15-10-2009 02:01PM

AFAIK all financial institutions are required to block their numbers. If I ring you on a banking matter I have to ensure number is private and if ANYONE other than the account holder answers I cannot say it is X bank just that it is a 'private business matter'

You've probably lost a few jobs there. Why oh why are you so paranoid?

Boskowski · 15-10-2009 03:12PM

OP again > wrote: »

OP here.

If it is who I think it is calling they obviously know their number is blocked and should have the cop on to know I would think is it weird or am getting freaked out. I'm female by the way!

Excuse me but why on earth would you get freaked out gettin' a call from such a (non) number? This seems a bit paranoid to be honest. My landline doesn't send caller id and I don't know why. I never requested it but I couldn't be bothered changing it either. For gods sake its not even like what? 10-15 years ago when no-one had caller id.

When you say "I'm female by the way".... Is this some sort of attempt at explaining your technical ineptness or is it an attempt of explaining why a phone call freaks you out easily?

Emme · 15-10-2009 03:23PM

Answer the calls - it could be a prospective employer. If it's a weirdo they'll probably say nothing and hang up or do the heavy breathing bit. In which case you note the time of the call in a journal and see if there's a pattern. Tell them to stop and that you will go to the cops if they don't. If they don't stop go to the cops with your record of the weirdo calls.

Blocked numbers CAN be traced but it's rare to trace such calls unless you've a definite idea who it is and you're willing to prosecute them.

seamus · 15-10-2009 03:30PM

If you're actually concerned, the best thing by far is to ask someone else to answer for you. Someone else can't be intimidated on your phone and all they have to do is ask, "Who is calling please?" to get your answer.

John Mason · 15-10-2009 03:50PM

sunflower27 wrote: »

That's harsh. Constant ringing and no message left is weird. Especially if it goes on for a week or more.

well if you answered the phone in the first place, it wouldnt have gone for a week and you wouldnt have been freaked out.

this is very strange behaviour

withheld/unknown number

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