answer phone

This might seem a bit daft, but have tried moving it away from your PC and see if that makes any difference?

Thank you Marydoll. I will try that although it also happens when I am not using the computer.

Has the 1571 light worked OK in the past or has something changed? It may be irrelevant but are you using a microfilter on the phone socket into which your landline is plugged? If you do, have you tried swapping it with another one in case it is faulty? It may help with the 1571 light problem.

As to echo, can you try plugging in a different make of handset (ask a neighbour or relative to let you try theirs for a few minutes)? Do you always get an echo or is it only some calls? Are calls between your landline and a mobile phone worse? You should try and work out which scenarios seem to cause the echo. Echo cancellors are standard equipment in phone networks, the more clues you can provide to your network provider, the greater the chance they have of working out where the faulty equipment is (if it's not to do with your handset). You will need to be patient though and keep nagging. Don't let your network provider fob you off. As someone who has worked in telecoms, I know how frustrating these things are to resolve, so good luck.

Thank you NanaMacGeek I will try everything. I was just concerned I might be hacked. The 1571 light works normally when a caller leaves a message ---- but it comes on also and stays on when there is no caller. I get an echo occasionally when the call is landline to landline eg I can hear my own conversation. Thank you again.

I believe that your provider sends a series of clicks (stutter) down your line to trigger the 1571 light on your phone if there is a message waiting for you. Interference on your line could appear to be stutter so could trigger the 1571 'Message Waiting' warning. That's why I ask about your microfilter, if not working properly, the broadband part of the signal on your landline could be interfering with the signals to your phone (it's just a guess and could be a red herring). Also, Marydoll is right to suggest moving your handset further from your PC, your PC could be causing the interference.

It's most unlikely that your landline has been hacked - it uses completely different technology to a computer.

I hope you get to the bottom of these problems - they are always tricky!