How to stop junk calls
Under government regulation it is illegal for UK companies to call any individual who has indicated they don’t want the calls. To do this you simply join the telephone preference service register, it takes about 28 days after registering for all to be stopped.
- Web: TPSOnline
(you can also do the Mail Preference Service (see below) at the same time on the StayPrivate website). - Phone: 0800 398 893
The calls it won’t stop
Sadly this won’t stop all calls. If you’re being plagued by competition calls sometimes these are just the result of random number generators, they call lots of numbers in the hope that some get through. The best thing to do is write the number down and then submit a complaint to the regulator PhonePayPlus (it used to be called Icstis) to get it blocked.
Stopping silent calls
As of Feb 2011, new rules introduced by Ofcom mean companies using automatic diallers can only call once a day if there’s no agent to complete the call. This includes all call centres, not just sales teams.
If you’re getting silent calls, which can be generated by automatic dialling equipment in call centres, you can register with the Silent Call-gard service, but you need to renew it every 12 months.
This adds you to a database used by the major telemarketing companies that use predictive diallers therefore reducing the number of silent calls.
If the calls continue, you can complain to Ofcom, here’s what to do:
Step 1: After the call dial 1471 and see if you can get the number.
Step 2: If the number is withheld, note the time & date of the call and contact your provider’s nuisance call department, eg, BT’s Nuisance Call Advice Line, Sky Nuisance Calls Advice
Step 3: Complain to Ofcom online.
Ofcom can fine the company up to £2m (was previously £50K) if it sees fit – the money goes to the Treasury, Ofcom doesn’t give compensation.
What about overseas calls?
It’s also possible you’ll receive commercial calls from companies based outside the UK. Little can be done to stop these and they can be annoying and frustrating. The best thing to do is not engage in a discussion, or some MoneySavers suggest pretending you don’t speak English. See ideas and discuss Ways to stop overseas sales calls.
Another way to avoid receiving sales calls at home is to set up a free VOIP telephone number. Read MoneySaver Thenotsowyzewun’s short guide on How to avoid nuisance calls.
Never pay to block these calls
There are reports of companies setting themselves up with names similar to the Telephone Preference Service and offering to block marketing calls. This, however, entails a fee.
There is no need to pay, do it right and it is ALWAYS free. If you get a call from someone asking for personal details or payment to complete a registration, hang up and inform the official TPS (read more on the TPS website).
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How to stop unwanted mail
There are two different types of junk mail we tend to receive, and both can be stopped, although this is not a legal right. It depends on whether the letters have your name and address on or they’re just distributed by the Post Office.
Addressed mail through the post
All members of the Direct Marketing Association agree to a Code of Practice not to send junk mail to any individual who has indicated they don’t want it. To stop the junk you simply join the mail preference service register, it takes up to 4 months for the service to have full effect although you should notice a reduction of the mail before that period.
- Web: The easiest (and cheapest way) is MPSOnline
- Phone: 0845 703 4599
Unaddressed leaflets and mail
Other common types of junk are leaflets, flyers and other unaddressed post which is delivered by the Royal Mail. It’s possible to opt out of this too, although it does affect all unaddressed items as Royal Mail is not able to know which items are wanted and which are not. It takes about 6 weeks for the items to stop being delivered and may only last for six months.
- Post: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Out, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX
- Email: optout@royalmail.com and you’ll then be sent a form
- Web Details: Door to Door opt out
For door to door leaflet drops some MoneySavers have suggested creating your own sign with nifty website Online-Sign.
How to stop cold callers
There’s nothing more frustrating than people knocking on your door when you don’t want to be sold things. First remember you don’t have to let them in, but there are more protections too. Â
- Energy salesmen must obey ‘no cold caller signs’
Energy sales people are rife, promising to save you money (some even outrageously say they’re backed by ‘Martin Lewis’ or this site), yet it’s the worst way to switch energy (do it right via the Cheap Gas & Elec guide).
However in May 2010, after pressure from Consumer Focus & Trading Standards, the big six energy companies agreed that their sales people would not knock on doors with ‘no cold caller’ signs (get a free one below).
On 1 Oct this officially became part of the EnergySure Code of Practice, though the policy was already active, with this new term:
7.4.3 (b) not call on any premises where there is a message prominently displayed in the form of a visible, clearly worded and unambiguous notice indicating that a consumer does not wish to receive uninvited doorstep sales callers.
Therefore if the cold caller persists, note down their name & employee number and report them to the company and Consumer Direct.
Free Printable MSE ‘No Cold Callers’ Sign
THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS PER PAGE: BIG & SMALL
Use whichever you prefer
While the print-out is colour, it’s specifically designed for easy printing in black & white too.
Where to stick it?
The best place is on your front door, but as it’s a print out the colour may run. One option for the small one is sellotape over it, or put it in a clear plastic folder and stick that.
Alternatively if you’ve glass doors, or windows near enough to your front door, stick it on the inside to protect from bad weather.
No cold caller signs are a good way to say no
If you have a no cold caller sign, and someone knocks, you can simply point at it and say, “hmm, please read the sign and go awayâ€.
Tips to protect against any door to door seller
- You have a 7 day cooling off period.
Buy something when a salesperson calls at your home and the ‘doorstep selling regulations’ mean you have a 7 day cooling off period on all goods you buy over £35.
If you want to cancel you’re entitled to get any money back, including a deposit, after which you need to return any goods in reasonable condition (although you may need to pay for the return delivery).
Similar rights are available for buying online or by phone. See the Consumer Rights guide for info.
- Remember you don’t have to let them in.
- Ask to see the salesperson’s official ID and find out exactly where they’re from.
- Don’t sign anything even if they’re only offering a quote.
- A trader must advise you in writing that you can cancel any contract, if they don’t they can’t hold you to anything in the contract.
More info at Consumer Direct.
How to stop unwanted faxes
These are less of a plague than they used to be as faxes aren’t as common as they once were. However, you can opt out of junk here yet again, with (you’ve probably guessed the name now) the Fax Preference Service register. It takes about 28 days after registering for all to be stopped.
- Web: The easiest (and cheapest way) is FPSOnline
- Phone: 0845 070 0702
Try using a PC-based fax machine instead
As an alternative, programs such as eFax free and Faxtastic allow you to receive faxes via your PC. Both give your own special number and faxes are then converted into email format, so even if it is junk there’s no need to print it out. The company’s aim is to tempt you to upgrade to its paid fax software which allows you to fax out.
The number people have to fax you on is an 0870/1 number costing up to 8-10p/minute during the day. Normally I rail against these (see the Say No To 0870 guide) yet as this provides a service, it works well. However, do let non-junk sending people know the cost, as effectively they’re subsidising your free fax machine (for similar tools read the Free Office Software guide).
Also, to keep Faxtastic active you must receive at least one fax in the first seven days of opening an account, and at least one every 90 days thereafter, else you’ll lose the allocated fax number and will have to re-register.
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How to stop unwanted texts
Spam texts are a modern scourge, plaguing our mobile phones with unwanted adverts often from dodgy companies. Yet it is possible to fight back, report them, and minimise the number you get.
There are three main types, and the way you deal with each is different. We’ve done some hardcore research into it, and have a full separate guide to Stop Spam Texts.
Stopping spam e-mails
‘How can I stop spam?’ is sadly the million dollar question which has no million dollar answer. There isn’t really a solution that works perfectly.
Think carefully about how much you block
Blocking spam is a balance, there are many software packages that help to do it, but ultimately it’s a trade off between losing legitimate e-mails (such as Martin’s Money Tips weekly email!) if they’re incorrectly filtered, or keeping more email and having to manually delete spam.
Technology is a quickly evolving entity and as such new ways to generate spam are always being developed, making it difficult to keep on top of. Remember, spam works, someone somewhere is clicking on it – and even if it’s just one in a million people it may mean they earn money.
The best place to start deleting spam is by using the tools available from your own e-mail provider; spam filters and rules are reasonably effective at blocking spam. There are also free ‘mail washing’ programmes that you can use, as explained in detail in the Free Anti-virus Software guide. You can also discuss tips and impacts with other MoneySavers in the Techie Stuff Forum Board.
Is it worth junking it?
Even if you do everything listed above, this isn’t a foolproof way of stopping junk, yet that isn’t a reason not to try. Registering for these services should still reduce the number of calls and junk mail you receive and it definitely won’t increase it. One good thing, if you’re still receiving junk after registering, you know these companies are breaking the law, so probably not worth dealing with anyway.
Do remember though if you’ve personally signed up to receive mailings via email or when buying something, you’ll have to block these individually.
Stopping junk mail isn’t necessarily MoneySaving
You may be surprised to read this but it’s important to say, unlike phone messages where it’s all a load of ridiculous nonsense, junk mail can sometimes work in your favour.
A lot of best buy financial products, such as credit cards, are often only available if you receive them as targeted Direct Mailings. For example, the longest ever 0% balance transfer card lasting 18 months was a direct mail offer. Yet it’s only worth keeping this channel open if you’re money savvy and can sort out the wheat from the chaff.
One final way to get your revenge on the junk mail is to rip up the letter, stuff it in the ‘pre-paid’ reply envelope and send it back. That way, it’ll have to pay to receive its junk back.