Unwanted phone calls Options

[JulieMarie]

Over the past few months we have started to receive increasingly frequent phone calls on our landline phone (which seem to be coming from from India) trying to sell us things, eg loft insulation, insurance etc. The number shows up as "international" or "unavailable" on the phone and there is always a delay before the caller speaks. Also, they always ask to speak to the householder. I know we can just put the phone down but the number of these calls has now reached a nuisance level and they are really very intrusive. Does anyone know how to get these calls stopped?

Thanks.

[Tenor Viol]

Yes, these seem to have become a nuisance recently as UK operators are meant to comply with TPS - unfortunately it is voluntary. It really requires a concerted complaint to OFCOM to deal with this, but I don't see it happening yet.

My mum has been logging these - she had 14 of them a couple of weeks ago.

I spoke with her landline supplier and they said there was little they could do if the call originated outside of the UK.

Some are just sales, others though are scams, so best thing is to not get involved with the call at all.

[liseypeasy]

Yes, these seem to have become a nuisance recently as UK operators are meant to comply with TPS - unfortunately it is voluntary. It really requires a concerted complaint to OFCOM to deal with this, but I don't see it happening yet.

My mum has been logging these - she had 14 of them a couple of weeks ago.

I spoke with her landline supplier and they said there was little they could do if the call originated outside of the UK.

Some are just sales, others though are scams, so best thing is to not get involved with the call at all.

My understanding was that registration with the TPS makes it illegal to make unsolicited contact, and it gives somewhere for you to complain to (regardless of whether that makes a difference!). It makes it illegal for companies you have given your details to to sell them on to other companies for the purposes of selling stuff (Assuming you haven't or don't give permission - always check whether that little box needs ticking or unticking).

I've had quite a lot of interaction with Trading Standards recently with my job and they say always to flag up what is happening if you're registered with TPS, if only because if scammers are contacting you, they are contacting someone else, and eventually will happen to someone who is vulnerable and if they don't know about it, there is nothing they can do.

But I agree for most people it is a nusiance that you're never going to wipe out completely. (There are certain things that TPS can't do, detailed when you sign up)

And it is worth saying regarding companies that take advantage of vulnerable people, there may be local charities or other services that can intervene on your behalf (I've written stern letters with my employer's fearsome logo which has at least a temporary effect, and we let Trading standards and the police do the rest if it has come to that).