"Press the Star button"

[Brian Unsworth]

Just been reading through the topic on Internet Scams, and it has prompted me to ask about a related matter. I have received several unsolicited phone calls while living here near Cahors, pointing out that a very important message awaits me if I pressez l'etoile. Instead I press the end of conversation button, and remain ignorant of what may be life-changing news! Has anybody been brave/reckless enough to actually listen to this message, and are they prepared to allay my curiosity as to its earth-shattering contents??

My thanks in advance and in anticipation.

Regards to all, Brian

[JohnRoss]

Yes we get lots of these and I have never pushed the star button or whatever as to do so may mean that you wind up paying for the call or so I have been told. We also get lots of sales calls which drive me spotty and if in a certain mood I answer the phone with something like "War office here, want a fight?" which usually frightens them off! Maybe someone will tell us how to get on a do not call if selling something list!......................................................JR

[Clair]

Copied from a previous thread:

Assuming you are with France Telecom:

There are several free services which can be taken up from the FT website: http://www.agence.francetelecom.com/masquer vos coordonnées

• Liste orange is if you don't want any marketing calls. Marketing
  companies can get your number even if you're on the liste orange, as
  the Ft directories can be purchased by anyone. So any personne listed there
  is a target. The only garantee you'll have is that FT will not have
  SOLD your number directly to them...
• Liste chamois is if you don't want to be listed in the annuaire.
• Liste
  rouge will do both and also prevent your number being given out by
  directory enquiries. Despite the scary looking advice shown on FT's
  website, it will NOT stop emergency services from contacting you, but
  it will prevent any Joe Bloggs from getting your number "in case of
  emergency". Presumably, anyone you know and trust already has your tel number, so
  choosing not to be listed is the ONLY option to ensure FT does not
  print/publish your contact details, therefore, stopping any marketing
  company from getting hold of them.
• Secret permanent will stop your number being displayed or redialled from 3131 on all your calls
• Secre appel par appel will do the same on individual calls.

If you are not with France Telecom, you have to specifically request your tel supplier not to be included in the directory.