Reducing outbound calls (from a customer perspective)

How to reduce cold calls

Telephone Preference Service

Consumers and businesses that don’t want to get calls from sales and marketing firms can register details to a list, run by the Telephone Preference Service.

The related consumer legislation is the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, and for businesses the related legislation is the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2004.

It takes up to 28 days for registration to become effective.

Recorded messages

Many people who are registered with the Telephone Preference Service still receive incoming calls – particularly with recorded messages.

Here is an extract from the Telephone Preference Service website.

Recorded messages – your permission is needed!

If you are receiving unsolicited sales and marketing voice recorded messages down your telephone line, and you have not given prior consent to receive such messages, you can ask the marketer to stop sending these.

They are legally obliged to act upon your request.

However, if you are still receiving such calls (or it is not possible to ask the company to stop sending these types of messages) you can complain directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). They are the government body responsible for enforcing the regulations.

Please note that complaints about text messages and automated voice recordings are covered by new regulations overseen by the ICO. For more information please see their website or phone helpline on 01625 545745.