Unwanted phone calls

We all have them these days. The phone rings and whereas, at one time, we answered with a welcoming voice in the knowledge it would be a friend or family on the other end, or at least someone we knew or had done business with, we now find they are usually complete strangers.

Unwelcome callers - trying to sell us something - asking us to complete surveys (which will only result in a rash of calls asking us to complete another survey) - asking us about PPI - or insurance - or lying while trying to give the impression we have business with them. Sometimes one is greeted with silence and we even have one which just says 'Good bye'! At least you know where you are with that one.

Now, when the phone rings we are cagey when we answer.

YES, we bark sharply into the phone (sometimes I fear to a friend, neighbour or a much loved relation) - and when asked if they can talk to Mr or Mrs - we demand, in an annoyed and angry tone, Who is calling? Only then do we discover it is someone we have business with, or someone we love and then we have to apologise profusely and explain ourselves.

We bark at our friends and relations, at our wives, husbands and children and even the elderly lady or gentleman living next door who are asking for help.

But more often than not it is a stranger. Do you wonder - and now I am speaking to that unwanted caller who has picked out our name from a list they have bought -  do you wonder that when I realise who you are I yell down the phone

NO, NO, NO - I DON'T WANT YOU TO PHONE ME. YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS WITH US - or worse.....

There it goes again - who is it? Hallo? Hallo? How are you this morning, we are asked from someone living halfway around the world. We are having problems with our computer, we are told. Which computer is this, we ask? You have an infection on your computer, we are told. And so it goes on - and on - and on. Time and time again.

Has anyone who is reading this now have an answer? Is there a solution?