Fake number scam calls

[#1]

I, like many people on this forum am getting an increasing number of nuisance calls and its becoming quite frustrating...I am getting a number of PPI recorded messages, which I would like to try and block, but seem unable to, but more worryingly recently, I have been receiving a large number of calls from false telephone numbers...  Today, it was "Microsoft Technical Support" calling from 01789 196 972, apparently, there was a lot of bad traffic coming from my computer and they wanted to remote onto it to "fix" it...when I asked them to tell me my name as they were calling me, they actually tried to guess it, I then told them I don't have a computer at home, or the internet (that part was me lying), and they instantly hung up...

This is worrying as I am sure a few less technical people would fall for this, and these people are known to install ransomware onto computers...and the only evidence that they were called is a number, which when you dial it, says the number is not recognised.
next time they do this, I will get them to remote onto a virtual machine, or maybe a Linux computer!
Is there anything you can suggest to help reduce the number of nuisance calls, or should I unplug my house phone as its very very rare that I get proper calls on it when I am in (maybe 1 in 20!)

[#2]

Check the many many threads about this on here. You can buy a box to block the calls, I use a CPR Call blocker, or a phone that has blocking on it. Or you can pay PN £4/mo for call blocking.

[#3]

I think that PN should be protecting their customers for free if you are already paying line rental to them.
I can,t see that it would be a great cost to PN,it would be a great PR for their company to boast about.
I never had these issues before PN,but my bt truecall phone blocks it now,in this day & age come on.

[#4]

I am of the opinion that it is about time OFCOM told phone providers that blocking services should all be free of charge.
problems I see are that a) OFCOM doesn't have the will and b) telcos would lose revenue and that would never do would it 
John

[#5]

I think it is disgusting that the public who pay for a telephone line are expected to pay for blocking services.
The first isp to provide this service could well pick up a lot of extra business i feel.

[#6]

I have recently installed a new BT DECT phone with all the features, caller display and call blocking. Then I found I had to pay PN to enable them. OK, Caller display is only 99p per month , but the calls I blocked on the phone, like the fake "Halifax Bank" recorded "security" announcements scam. (0845 3510271) are still getting through. How do I block such numbers? I believe PN is successfully blocking withheld numbers, but scammers are wise to that. If BT can do it, why can't PN?

[#7]

Have you actually enabled caller display? If not, there is no information that the "blocker" built into the phone can use to check if a call is from a number to be blocked.
Phil