Eleven ways to block cold callers for good
Get rid of cold callers forever by following these simple steps.
Have all of those cold calls left you feeling icy? Here’s how to stop them.
Register for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
The Telephone Preference Service is the official opt-out register for unsolicited sales and marketing calls. Charities, voluntary organisations and political parties aren’t allowed to phone you if you've registered with the TPS, unless you’ve given them permission to do so.
Go ex-directory
If you go ex-directory your phone number will be taken out of the physical phone book and directory enquiry lists.
Keep your name off sales call lists
When you sign up to a new service, whether it's a broadband provider or just a newsletter mailing list, ask the company not to contact you or pass your details on to third parties.
If there’s a tick box stating that you don’t want to be contacted, follow the instructions carefully. If it doesn’t, ask the company directly.
Tick the right boxes
And on that note, make sure you tick (or don’t tick) the correct boxes! It can make a huge difference. Be especially wary if you’re asked to tick one box but not another on the same page to opt-out.
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Screen calls
Only answer calls from numbers that you recognise. The important ones will leave a message, anyway.
Bar unwanted calls
Your provider may be able to block calls from international numbers and withheld numbers, though there may be an extra charge for this.
Buy a call blocking device
Consider a blocker such as CPR Call Blocker and TrueCall Call Blocker. They plug right into your home phone so that you can screen calls.
Report cold callers
Report TPS rule breaches to the TPS. It’ll pass on the information to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which can take action. If you think it’s a scam, report it to Action Fraud. For silent calls, contact either your network provider or Ofcom.
Write to the company
If your cold caller just won’t back down, formally tell them that you don’t want them to call you anymore.
The best way to go is in writing because you’ll have a record of your complaint.
Don’t reply to strange marketing texts
If you instantly reply to a marketing text with the word ‘STOP’ you may be doing it wrong. You’re letting the company know that they’ve contacted a valid number, leaving you wide open to cold calls.
For numbers that you don’t recognise it’s best to forward them on to your network provider on 7726.
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More on rights, scams and politics:
Warning of scammers posing as Pension Wise guidance scheme
Rogue traders bullying people into buying cold call blocking devices
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