There was a scam recently where a recorded message on the answerphone purported to be from BT who urgently needed to contact the account holder. It sounded pretty plausible until you considered how odd it was that BT didn't know the account holder's name. I think the idea was that you call back and someone tells you that your phone's about to be disconnected unless you give them your credit card details now.

I must say that since signing up to the telephone preference service I've been much less troubled by sales calls, one or two in the last 3 years. Of course if your number is registered with TPS you need only inform them that they're breaking the law by calling you and ask for their contact details so you can inform the relevant authorities. That's usually the last you'll hear from them.

Of course I miss the amusement value of winding up sales callers by feigning interest and then asking stupid questions, or leaving them hanging on the line. I managed once to turn the tables on one caller by asking how many people worked in their company, would they be having a Christmas party this year, and had they really, really thought what a difference live music could make to such an occasion.