How to get your mobile phone OFF the new directory!

[DaveB]

Hi Guy's..

I'm sure you're aware that very soon, our mobile phone numbers will become part of the public domain leaving us all open to abuse! There is a way to make your mobile number ex-directory as shown below. I received this from my team leader at Brooklands who had received it from a trusted friend. His comments and instructions as follows:

///////////
Just done this myself. Double checked it wasn't a scam and it is actually on the bbc website recommending to do this.

The Directory of Mobile Phone numbers goes live next week.
All numbers including those belonging to children will be open to cold calling and the general abuse that less scrupulous telesales people subject us too.


To remove your number go here. (you need your mobile phone with you to do this, they text you a code)

http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove.html



Click on HOMEPAGE at the bottom of the screen then EXDIRECTORY at the top of the following screen then follow the on screen instructions.




You can remove your number from this list, and tell all your friends - especially those with children who have mobile phones. I personally believe my mobile number is private and I should be able to chose who I give it to - none of us agreed to this when we signed our mobile phone contracts.

//////////////

I've done it with my phone, Alison's and Helen's and it does appear to work. Of course, the proof of the pudding will be how many cold callers we get when the 118-800 system goes live! It really is as simple as described above. Click on homepage and when that opens, click on ex-directory at the top of the page (don't be tempted to do anything else!) A new page will open and you'll see a box where you enter your mobile number and below that an anti-spam registration box. Once done, hit submit and another page will open showing a box where you enter the 5 digits that will be texted to your mobile. Each of our mobiles here took around 5mins to do from start to finish ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[JimCooper]

Thanks Dave.

Might be worth making this one a 'Sticky' so people can find it easier???

[Nigel H-J]

Many thanks Dave, was not aware that mobile numbers could be made available on a directory search.

Have followed your link - all done.

Regards
Nigel.

[JimCooper]

Confirmed it works - made mine Ex-Directory and it can't be found, haven't done the wife's yet and hers can be found.

[DaveB]

Might be worth making this one a 'Sticky' so people can find it easier???

So done Jim

Nigel.. yeh, I can't remember exactly who the hell is responsible for this cr@p but it must have been approved by HMG so the finger of blame goes there ;-) I remember seeing a report about it on the box not that long ago and the reporter was asking Joe Public in the street what he/she thought about it. As you can imagine, the reaction was not one of joy!!! I have to admit that I found/find the entire affair unbelieveable :roll:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Dave Just hope it does work as I am ex-directory on my home number but sometimes get these annoying calls from tele-sales staff, wonder if they had got my number from companies that I had dealings with in the past?

Equally and more annoyingly I have had on occassions picked up the phone and a pre-recorded message then bleats out the words 'Congratulations'........You have.........I don't listen what it has to say, if any-one has anything to offer or give me a 'prize' then they can bl**dy well call round with it!! If not, then don't bother ringing!!!! :@

Regards
Nigel.

[ianhind]

Nigel

I get all those too - I suspect that it is nothing to do with previous history but they just work through every possible telephone number (ex-directory or not) in the hope of finding some mug.

There is always a delay if you answer - the phone has been dialled by computer and clearly a surprise that someone has answered.

These days, with caller id, I don't answer if the id is hidden.

@DaveB - thanks for the info on mobiles - two more that are going ex-directory here

Ian

[Tweek]

These days, with caller id, I don't answer if the id is hidden.

I have had people ringing me from other phones that weren't in my phonebook (such as a friend's after running out of credit), so this method isn't exactly foolproof. However, a certain amount of fun can be had telling any telemarketers, in no uncertain terms, to shove their phone up their arses and piss off.

[speedbird591]

Thanks, Dave. I'll pass that useful info round. Personally I use a Tesco PAYG sim card as I don't have any friends :-( Even I don't know the number!!!

For those guys who are pestered by cold callers on their home phone, register with the TPS - telephone preference service. It puts you on a list of numbers that UK businesses are not allowed to cold call and it really works. If one ever gets through (very very rarely) you just ask where they got your number as you are registered with the TPS and they hang up very quickly! it doesn't work with overseas callers so you still have access to free holidays!

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

While you're at it, get rid of junk mail in the same way with the sister service, MPS - mail preference service.

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/

Cheers

Ian

[Garry Russell]

What a palava :o

Glad I don't have a mobile phone

Garry