Private numbers

A question about : Private numbers

Hi All,

I'm still pretty new to this but I have entered several comps through links on here and also through the itv comps.
Now I have been getting various calls from dodgy scam numbers and have ignored as I don't recognise the number, but I have instantly googled the number after to check and my suspicions have been right every time as its been a hokey spam call.
However, I have had a call from a private number probably once a day for the past 2 or 3 days now and I wonder, has anyone on here ever been contacted by someone to say they have won a competition they have entered on a private number.
Its so frustrating as I refuse to engage in unsolicited scammer calls therefore I ignore any numbers that look like this as I have been getting tonnes lately! But at the same time, I dont want to miss out on anything (although its highly unlikely I am a winner!)

Best answers:

• answer the call
  if its nothing say no thanks and put it down
• I have had a private number call me multiple times a day also these past few days and don't tend to answer them for the same reasons as you, most of the time I can't answer them anyway.
  I started a similar thread recently here and people did say that they can be wins and I also asked a group on facebook and someone commented that had won a cruise from a private number call but they can definitely be spam too. There isn't really a way of knowing unless you answer, some companies do leave messages though but then on the other hand some will move on if the call isn't answered.
  I have registered for the TPS which will mark your number not to be called by pests, it's free and I only just registered my number the other day so not sure how well it works yet, I think I read it takes 28 days for it to be fully effective but you should look it up, this might help with only getting winning calls and other types of genuine calls
  I have had loads of winning emails, only one winning letter and one winning phone call and a lot of companies try different ways to contact winners so I wouldn't worry too much about it although there will be those that move on/don't contact you any other way so you have to think about that if you choose not to answer.
• Thanks guys......I guess I will have to start answering the calls on the off chance.
  However, my instincts have been correct thus far on the calls I have screened where I have googled the number afterwards to find that the number has loads of negative responses and is listed as a telepest etc.....
  Just my luck!
• It must be one of the comps we have done on here,i belive itv have a real number and not a witheld one,i have been getting a few witheld ones over the last few days.