Dealing with nuisance phone calls

Beeping on the line If you can hear a beeping, intermittent dial tone when you pick up the phone, this means you have a pending voicemail and isn't a fault with your telephone line.

If you receive nuisance or malicious calls, including silent calls, please read our advice on avoiding these unpleasant or irritating callers.

Silent calls may be from automated dialling devices used by call centres to call lots of people, and can occur several times a day. Ofcom require companies using such devices to play a message telling you who they are if an agent doesn't speak. If you receive silent calls, you can register with the Telephone Preference Service or Silent Callguard Service. Ofcom's website has more information about this.

Malicious callers ring numbers randomly to provoke a reaction. Make a note of the time you received the call and try 1471 to identify the calling number if you can. Report this to the telephone company that provides your phone line (if you're a Sky Talk Line Rental customer, call 08442 411 653). It's always a good idea to wait for callers to identify themselves before speaking, and to avoid giving your number or any personal details to callers. An answering machine or caller display can help you screen incoming calls. Don't use a message saying you're out, just say you're not able to answer the phone. Don't use your name or phone number on the answer message. If you have receive threatening calls, contact the police.

Sky's Nuisance Calls Advice Team will work closely with you and relevant providers, and can advise you how and when to approach the police if necessary.

If you hear bleeps, screeching tones and white noise when you pick up a call, it could be someone attempting to fax your number by accident.

The following Sky Talk features can help you with unwanted calls:

Choose to Refuse lets you bar up to 10 incoming calls from a specific number or the last number that called you.

Anonymous Call Rejection prevent calls from people witholding their number.

Re-Number is useful if you're receiving numerous wrong number calls.

Call Sky on 08442 411 653 to find out how to implement these services.

Please note that some call features are free for Sky Talk Line Rental customers, but some optional extras are available for a little extra. Charges for extra services are added to your Sky bill and can be viewed online or on your TV at any time. For a full list of our latest features and prices, please see our Sky Talk Call Features page.