Update: Calling time on withheld numbers

Nashga, this was discussed in January when the conversation began, and I made the point then that the reputable companies will generally follow the law (not because of fines, but because of bad publicity), while the ‘bad guys’ will ignore it all, if they think they won’t be rumbled.

A couple of weeks ago, the conversation was updated with the government decision that valid numbers (that, when called, would connect to the original caller) must be shown on caller displays from 24th May. This gives legitimate cold-calling companies enough time to get in an engineer to make the adjustment. Such companies are required to observe the Telephone Preference Service rules. So, if you want pukka cold-calling companies to leave you alone, register with the TPS now!

Of course, the dodgy companies will still call you, and the spammers and scammers, and Auntie Eda that you’ve not heard from for a decade. To avoid the crooks, use an answering service or machine. And never give out confidential information over the phone, no matter how plausible the blandishments or the supposed emergency!

The absurd is expecting crooks to obey the law. The rest of my comment shows the absurdity of being able to get prior permission for a cold call – by any medium. If there’s any prior agreement, it’s not a cold call!

Being listed on the TPS is refusing prior permission. People used to put “no hawkers or circulars” on their front door because they didn’t want their bell being rung by these people. What Which? is asking for is a similar facility for telephone subscribers.

It seems ridiculous that some companies resort to lawyers to do tricks to force their way in (such as having terms and conditions of use that allow an organisation with whom customers dealt with to sell their telephone numbers and addresses). This costs money for the company.

A customer who is on the TPS has clearly stated that he doesn’t want such calls, so how can a sane person expect him to give business to anyone making such a call?

Making these calls to people who don’t want them is an idiotic crime. Maybe people who do it (or employ others to do it) should face a choice between a fine or a compulsory course in elementary logic.

They already have elementary logic John its called greed and avarice, and they never get beyond the elementary level to see what their actions does to others as they dont care .

Mother of three-call the police and they will advise . If his number is withheld and is a genuine UK telephone number that makes no difference to your telephone company AND the police finding out who he is a few clicks on a keyboard and voila !

I found out one of the funeral companies real address (not the agent ) and posted it on a UK website I no longer frequent saying ,in plain words what I thought of them , within a week the website took down my post as the company complained it was ” interfering with their business “

If you are making a business call to a residential subscriber this new regulation will directly affect you and it will be illegal to withhold your number. If you are calling a business number the regulation will not apply, but surely they will need to have your number in case they need to call back. The best way to deal with this is to have a second line for business calls only and not answer it at times when your ‘office’ is not open – an answering machine-combined telephone is a good way of providing basic opening hours information and taking messages.