Telemarketers

What is the protocol for telemarketers in the UK?  If they call and you ask them to remove your number from their list, are they legally obliged?

We have been getting calls from the same political organisation every day and when I asked them to remove us from their list tonight, the guy got a bit funny and said he got my husbands name from the Electoral Register.  It was as if that made it OK to call us each evening. 

Thanks!

What is the protocol for telemarketers in the UK?  If they call and you ask them to remove your number from their list, are they legally obliged?

Yes they are. You can also register your mumber with TPS http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
which should stop unsolicited calls.

Hi Karin,

Yes, absolutley they are required to stop calling you if you've specifically requested it. As Britwife has given you the link I'm sure you can take a look there for further info. I think I posted this before on a similar thread, If they persist, say

"I've requested you to stop calling me which you have to do legally, as you are continuing to call me, I need to have your name, your company address and managing directors personal contact details so that I may engage my solicitor to sue your company"

that Should do the trick! if it still continues, you have their details and feel free to write them a letter explaining you're going to sue. Then it should definitley stop! if not - then the MD of the company is a plank! sue him/her for having no operational brain cells !

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Thanks for the link and will be registering our number to block unsolicited calls.

But it's not a company....it's one of the two major political parties.  The local branch of the party.  They just made it seem like since they got my husbands name and number from the Electoral Role that they had the right to call.  Do you think the link applies to this type of call?

Thanks for the link and will be registering our number to block unsolicited calls.

But it's not a company....it's one of the two major political parties.  The local branch of the party.  They just made it seem like since they got my husbands name and number from the Electoral Role that they had the right to call.  Do you think the link applies to this type of call?

They still have to take you off their list.  We had a thing with one of the (local) major political parties a few years ago.  It was before an election and they wanted to speak with my husband since I didn't vote and they kept coming back EVERY night to my house at tea time when he was still at work.  I had little kids at the time and I asked them to stop coming and they got funny and refused - said the same thing about electoral role, etc.  And I phoned the local party chairman and really complained.  They've never been back.  So, get tough.

Cool...thanks Mindy.  I will get tough...because at this stage of pregnancy getting off the sofa to answer the damn phone is a HUGE effort.  haha.

Cool...thanks Mindy.  I will get tough...because at this stage of pregnancy getting off the sofa to answer the damn phone is a HUGE effort.  haha.

Man! I'd point out that it's sort of counterproductive of them to keep irritating you! What do they expect? Your husband is going to say "Oh, you harassed my pregnant wife and oh yeah! I'm definitely going to vote for you! Thanks!" Strange tactic I'd say! I hope you get it solved soon!

They absolutely have to take you off their database, and should have done by now if you have already asked. 

I suggest quoting back to them the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) (Direct Marketing) Regulations 1998 and informing them that, if they call you once more, you will report them to the Data Protection Registrar, the Electoral Commission AND the local press.

That should do the trick!

[as an aside, I hope everything is going well with the pregnancy]

Vicky

I have a similar problem. Even though I've added our number to the database over a year ago, I still get these stupid CONGRATULATIONS YOU WON A CRUISE TO FLORIDA!!!!! robocalls. If there was a person on the other side, I could at least get the satisfaction of telling them where to go, when they wake me up at 7am, but as it is, I must do with slamming the phone down really hard.

Getting your name from the electoral register is no get-out clause, nor is being a political or non-profit organization.  If you ask the organization concerned to stop calling you, they are oblliged to comply.   

As well as the Telephone Preference Service, there is also a Facsimile Preference Service if you are receiving a lot of junk fax calls:

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/fps/

Even though I've added our number to the database over a year ago, I still get these stupid CONGRATULATIONS YOU WON A CRUISE TO FLORIDA!!!!! robocalls.

One problem is that a lot of these junk calls are made from overseas, so the TPS "do not call" rules aren't applicable or enforceable.   

Research calls are exempt from TPS so political organisations might be able to get away with calling you if they position their phone calls as research.

Research calls are exempt from TPS so political organisations might be able to get away with calling you if they position their phone calls as research.

Although TPS exempts "market research" calls - which is a bit of a crock anyway - the organization concerned should still put your number on its "do not call" list if you specifically request that (and regardless of whether or not you are already registered with TPS).

I know the kind of calls Karin is getting...I used to make them!  And if they are not covered by TPS they are covered by the Electoral Commission, and the Data Protection Registrar.


Vicky

Research calls are exempt from TPS so political organisations might be able to get away with calling you if they position their phone calls as research.

Back in the US, many political campaigns have had hard times calling me.
Ahh...especially at dinner time...
Telemarketer: "Can we count on you to vote for (Joe) this election?"
Me: "Not anymore.  You called me, someone not affiliated with your party*, while I was eating dinner.  (Joe) just lost the chance for my vote.  Thank you and your welcome."  (hang up)
I never got a call again from them.  Junk mail, on the other hand, increased.  Oh, and I also do similar things with Mormons, Hare Krishnas, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other proselytizers...except that I have a few degrees in comparative religion, so I have more fun with these folks.  I once tried to convince Mormons that I was trying my hardest for a good suicide (as a really bad reading of Jainism as if they'd know!).

* I know this is a fact since I am not registered with any political party.

Next time your husband gets a letter from the Electoral Register to confirm information make sure he ticks / unticks the box stating he wants his information to be published on the "Edited Register".  Not unticking this box will open the door for the Register to sell his details on to marketing companies etc...  This applies to both by post and telephone, although if your number is registered with TPS this should deter it.

Good luck!