We explain how you can stop irritating sales calls and protect your identity while you're at it.
While many legitimate business organisations contact potential customers over the phone, signing up for products in this way is a hugely risky business and one that could leave you open to fraud.
The trouble with unsolicited calls is that you have no way of knowing whether the person calling you is who they say they are. For this reason you should never give out any personal information - be it your bank details, date of birth or password - to an unknown caller.
If an unsolicited caller does ask you to confirm personal information you should ask where they are calling from, find the customer services number of the organisation yourself and then call it directly - only then should you consider giving your details.
Aside from the risk of fraud, receiving sales call after sales call can be hugely annoying.
Unsolicited sales calls:
What can I do?
- The first step to stopping unsolicited sales calls is to register with the the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). This is a free service that will go a long way to stopping direct sales and marketing calls. It takes effect after approximately 28 days after which you should see a significant reduction in the number of sales calls you receive.
- If you continue to receive sales calls after registering with the TPS you should firstly inform the caller that you are TPS registered and request that they remove you from their dialing list. Then, you should report them to the TPS as making unsolicited sales calls to a TPS registered number is actually illegal.
- Generally, registering with the TPS should stop companies that you have previously given permission to contact you from calling. However, this isn't necessarily the case so you may need to contact these companies directly and request that they remove you from their calling list. We contacted the TPS for clarification on this and they recommended writing to companies that continue to contact you with sales calls after you register.
- When signing up to new products and services remember to check the box the lets you opt out of hearing about special offers by phone.
Silent calls:
There is nothing more infuriating than rushing to pick up the phone only to find that there is no one there, not least when it happens several times a day.
These so called 'silent calls' are usually made by the automated dialing systems used in call centres. Programmed to constantly try and connect calls to individuals on their dialing list, the silent calls occur when a connection is made but there are no call centre operatives available to speak.
What can I do?:
- While registering with the TPS should cut down on the number of silent calls you receive, it's not just sales companies that use these automated machines. Debt collectors, market research organisations and number scanning companies are also responsible for silent calls and these fall outside of the TPS's jurisdiction.
- Silent call-guard is a free service, similar to the TPS, that can help to reduce the number of silent calls you receive so registering with them can be worthwhile. Once you do this your phone number will be added to a database of callers that have opted out of receiving calls from companies that use automated dialing systems. However, bear in mind that this is a voluntary service so while it should cut down the number of silent calls you receive, it isn't guaranteed to stop all of them. Your number will also only remain on the 'free from silent calls' list for 12 months so you will need to add your number again each year.
- Most phone companies offer an 'anonymous call rejection' service and this will block all calls where the caller is withholding their number. This service does usually come at an additional cost, although it is worth contacting your provider to check.
- If you find yourself being bombarded with silent calls then you should contact your telephone provider. They should be able to find out who is making the calls on your behalf and then take steps to stop them.
- Should your phone provider be unable to help or the problem persist you should make an official complaint via Ofcom's Contact Centre and they will investigate.
Click here for more information about Ofcom's policy on silent calls.
Automated messages:
These are often used by questionable 'organisations' to inform you that you have won a Caribbean cruise, an obscure lottery or some other 'too good to be true' prize and ask you to return their call at a premium rate number.
If you receive an automated message that asks you to do this you should never do as they say but instead contact Phonepayplus for advice.
What can I do?
- By law a company needs to obtain your express permission if they want to contact you with automated or pre-recorded calls. Consequently you are completely within your right to contact the company and ask them to stop calling.
- If the calls persist or if you are unable to identify the company making the calls you will need to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office.
If you receive a call that you are unsure about you should contact or just need further advice about sales calls, contact Consumer Direct.
