Don't call us . . .

By SIMON MOON
Updated:

 

YOU'RE just settling down to watch your favourite evening soap and the phone rings. You answer, and a mystery voice immediately launches into a sales pitch for kitchens, double-glazing, conservatories or simply invites you to take part in a 'survey'.

Sounds familiar? When you consider that one company alone - Kitchens Direct - made a staggering 26 million unsolicited automated calls from November 2003 to February, you are probably one of an elite minority if you haven't been pestered in this way.

Worse still, in more than a million instances there was only silence instead of a Kitchens Direct operator on the line when householders picked up the phone.

That lapse resulted in the threat of a fine from Ofcom, the official watchdog, which said 'These calls can be absolutely infuriating and very frightening for some people.'

Like the junk mail that pours through our letter boxes, junk calls are a part of our everyday life. But you can put a stop to both quite easily.

Simply register your phone number with the Direct Marketing Association's Telephone Preference Service or your address with the Mail Preference Service.

Marketing companies, who can obtain the registers from these organisations, are legally obliged to comply with the lists. The service is free and should become effective in 28 days.

If you are running a business, it may not be covered by the Telephone Preference Service, but if your firm is suffering unduly from nuisance calls you can be report the offender to Ofcom.

Since December 2003 it has been unlawful to send unsolicited text marketing messages to mobile phone users. To complain about the receipt of such messages contact the Office of the Information Commissioner. If the message contains a premium rate number contact ICSTIS the telephone information services regulator .

If you simply want to block automated calls that may be silent call Silent Callgard Service on 0870 444 3969. The address of the Direct Marketing Association, which runs the phone and mail preference services, is DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS.

Useful contact numbers:

Office of the Information Commissioner 01625 545 745

Telephone Preference Service 020 7291 3320 or www.tpsonline.org.uk

Mail Preference Service 020 7291 3310 or www.mpsonline.org.uk

Ofcom 0845 456 3000

ICSTIS 0800 500 212

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