Tag Archives: telephone numbers

The Top 5 Most Wanted Spammers and Scammers

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Dear friends of tellows,

with September just beginning, a lot of you have had busy telephone lines and rather than receiving pleasant calls from friends or family, a lot of you were bothered yet again dubious phone calls. The following numbers are the 5 worst offenders of the first week of September:

1. 01234567890 with 3 comments and 2768 search requests. tellows Score: 6
2. 08000641087 with 9 comments and 9519 search requests. tellows Score: 6
3. 08448471424 with 3 comments and 4294 search requests. tellows Score: 4
4. 01914326538 with 3 comments and 2422 search requests. tellows Score: 6
5. 01592642600 with 3 comments and 2963 search requests. tellows Score: 8

The most wanted of the week, number 01234567890 from Bedford, has made monthly appearances on the list since August and always ranked on first place. According to the overall consensus of our users, this number is used for a scam to gain access to the recipient’s computer by claiming it has been infected by a virus.

An even more notorious “guest” on our list, the number 08000641087 has been occupying the second place almost continously for the past two months. Calling frequently without leaving a message, the identity of the caller has remained a mystery to our users. However, some have shared their theories who might be behind the persistent calls:

This number called 5 times but leave any message; surely it is up to something bad. I dont how it had number but I have two theories. Either from ITV after submitting an answer to a competition or moneysupermarket.com after buying insurance, the only two companies I have recently given my number.

Our third place this week, telephone number 08448471424, has been first reported two years ago. With an overall tellows score of 4 and ratings ranging from 1 (reliable) to 8 (not trustworthy), the trustworthiness of the number has been the subject of some discussion. User mandeee stated:

This is the o2 collections department for overdue accounts. It’s an automated service, though, and will harass you for up to 24 hours AFTER you pay the bill. Trustworthy, but a nuisance, too.

A complete newbie to the list, number 01914326538 ranks on our fourth place and in spite of a score of 6, most users seem to consider it untrustworthy. Whereas some suspected a debt collection company behind the calls, user Concerned commented:

The above number called twice today, I did not recognise it nor did I answer it. I did, however call them back, the receiver was picked up for about 1-2 seconds then hung up with no communication. I was not impressed or appeased by this response so have been left suspicious of their intentions

Ranking on our fifth and final place this week, the telephone number 01592642600 is another newcomer to the list even though it has been active for quite a while and with a tellows score of 8, is not exactly deemed trustworthy. While some have marked the calls originating from Kirkcaldy as aggressive advertising, other users suggested that the number was used for investigations regarding tax fraud.

If you have further information on this or any other number that appears to be making dubious phone calls, you are more than welcome to contribute to our tellows community and exchange details about telephone numbers and callers with other users. Other than that, have a nice and hopefully peaceful weekend.

Your tellows team

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PPI Nuisance Calls: An Ongoing and Prevalent Problem in the UK

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As demonstrated by numerous comments on tellows worldwide, nuisance calls have become a frequent and extensive problem around the globe. For an increasing number of users from the UK, PPI calls pose a particularly persistent and common issue and have been an often discussed topic on our tellows blog. The fact that – not without reason – most consumers have grown increasingly suspicious of telephone calls by unknown numbers is illustrated by comments such as those of Fifalde, who wrote about the number 01494590777:

This number tried calling my mobile several times yesterday – I don’t answer any numbers that I don’t recognise or have stored in my phone so I left it – no voicemail left which is a dead giveaway that its either PPI or something else. I just added it to my reject list. Hope this helps

PPI Calls as Cost Trap and Disturbance of Everyday Life
According to a new survey conducted by Citizens Advice, two thirds of British adults have received messages related to claims for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) – 98% of which were unsolicited and without permission. More than half also said they were contacted more than 10 times within the past year often considered a disturbance of everyday life for the recipients: whereas nearly a quarter received calls during dinner with family, 14% were interrupted at work.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizen Advice, noted that those who fall victim to a PPI claims scam suffer twice the damage – once with the bank and a second time when the claims firm doesn’t provide the full compensation the victim deserves. Reporting number 02086148283 as PPI claims scam, user SiM warned about possible costs as well:

PPI company that cons you into signing up with them and then takes 30% of whatever they find for you, as payment. They also use a computer dialer that calls numbers and then hangs up on you if an operator is not available to talk at you

Furthermore, Guy stressed that nuisance calls “are often a sign that the service on offer is not very good or is actually a scam” and demands a ban for financial services firms from cold-calling to help consumers detect untrustworthy companies and scams.

PPI Claims Scam Approach and Target
More than 90% of the participants of the latest Citizen Advice survey stated that they were contacted by telphone regarding PPI claims with 40% receiving automated messages on their landline whereas 35% were contacted via text message on their mobile phone. According to previous research of the organisation, nuisance calls were not restricted to claims management companies alone: cold calls accounted for 35% of complaints concerning financial services.

As with most scams, the main aim is to gain access to the victim’s money. In the case of this particular scam, the victim is often persuaded to pay fees in advance for fake loans and sometimes, a person’s bank details have been passed on to other companies. With at least half of 30,000 complaints between April 2012 and March 2013 related to PPI and other financial services, users like Nikki who commented on the number 01625665142, are not alone with their grievances:

Ppi credit agent, told not interested 5 times, still continue to ask if I have had any texts or voicemails when asked what’s it to do with them they get angry an then say well have you checked your credit file, when told one last time I’m not interested the woman said fine an hung up. Don’t waste time answering to them

Numbers Related to PPI Claims Calls
Among the most recently reported and commented on telephone numbers connected to PPI claims on tellows are the following numbers:

 

To stay on the safe side, don’t provide any personal or financial information about yourself (and especially your bank account) on the telephone. Also don’t forget that you have the right to end the conversation by simply putting down the phone – especially if the person on the other end of the line seems to have a dubious agenda. If you have any information on a phone number that might be untrustworthy – PPI related or not – don’t hesistate to report it on tellows.

Sources:
telegraph.co.uk

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The Most Wanted Nuisance Callers of the Week

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Dear friends of tellows,

with another busy week of nuisance calls behind us, we have a new list of the most wanted numbers to share with you.

1. 01704515444 with 7 comments and 3060 search requests. tellows Score: 7
2. 08000641087 with 9 comments and 9390 search requests. tellows Score: 6
3. 01614867770 with 15 comments and 9205 search requests. tellows Score: 7
4. 01143072000 with 15 comments and 7973 search requests. tellows Score: 7
5. 01616528220 with 6 comments and 2628 search requests. tellows Score: 7

Our first number, 01704515444, holds a tellows score of 7. With calls originating from Southport, a yet to be identified caller has phoned a lot of our users at sometimes even unsociable hours, asking for an unknown person. User Sally voiced concern regarding the intentions and possible costs of the calls:

This number called at 09.19 this morning. When I answered I could hear a ringing tone. A man answered and said that he was looking for Mr and Mrs Smith and apologised for ringing wrong number!? In light of ringing tone, wondering if I’ll be charged for the phone call!

Another unknown caller is phoning from our second number, 08000641087. Keeping people’s phone line’s busy with frequent calls at all hours, the number is rated untrustworthy by most of our users, especially since the caller leaves no messages.

Our third number of the week – 01614867770 – is highly disputed, with scores ranking from 1 (very trustworthy) to 9 (untrustworthy) constituting an overall tellows score of 7 – thus being considered as rather suspicious. However, Contact Centre Manager, apparently in representation of the possible caller, stated:

Action Assistance work in conjunction with numerous key household named Insurers and Insurance brokers and we provide a variety of services including niche insurance and motor management services. We are independent advisors and we are normally prompted to call when the Insurers believe that their clients may not have received all that they are entitled to following an accident.

Ranking on our fourth place this week, the number 01143072000 from Sheffield calls people even outside the country and across the pond, sometimes even trying to reach people in the US or Turkey. Operating similiarly to our number 2, the caller rings frequently but won’t leave a message. User Luke commented:

Based on the experiences of previous posters, this is a pest call. I have had several calls from this number every day since I arrived in the USA. I never answer unknown numbers, I google them instead. How do they know I am in the USA? Orange must have told them. Or maybe one of the USA carriers I’ve connected to? Not pleased.

Last but not least our fifth number, 01616528220, calls from Manchester and is deemed untrustworthy with a tellows score of 7. While the overall consensus of our users’ comments seems to agree with that notion, suggestions and suspicions regarding who might be calling and why seem to differ. User Fed Up wrote:

This is another company I believe to be cold calling for money management they area a nuisance with constant phone calls. It is time theses people were put out of business

One way to take on nuisance callers and dubious numbers is to report them on tellows and share your expierences with them. That way, other people can be warned against possible spam and scam calls and the various methods and strategies of scammers can be documented and exposed. So don’t hesitate to our tellows community and have a nice weekend.

Your tellows team

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Weekly Update on the Top 5 Nuisance Callers

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Dear friends of tellows,

as another week of nuisance calls is advancing, we have another list of the top 5 offenders. While some of the usual suspects have been reclaiming their place, we have also some new entries for you – some of which have been internationally active. Let’s have a look at this week’s most searched for numbers:

1. 01234567890 with 3 comments and 2607 search requests. tellows Score: 6
2. 08000641087 with 9 comments and 9216 search requests. tellows Score: 6
3. 01143072406 with 5 comments and 4363 search requests. tellows Score: 7
4. 02078909051 with 3 comments and 2003 search requests. tellows Score: 8
5. 02078909052 with 9 comments and 3637 search requests. tellows Score: 7

Ranking on the first place, American number 01234567890 from Bedford, Massachusetts first made an appearance on this list a month ago and has since continued to occupy people. According to some of your comments, the caller tries to gain information and access to your computer. User Shamim commented:

[…] I already knew it was a scam so i had a little fun asking them questions. Then i asked her if she even knew the name of my computer and she said “yes” so i asked, “what is the name then?” and she just hang up. Then when i tried calling the number, it apparently did not exist. I message for these silly fraudsters please learn the fact that the people of England are not stupid. We do realise that the World Wide Web would defnitely not have its company in City Airport and will not give someone as stupid as yourself its vacancies.

Calling from a freephone number, 08000641087 is our second number of this week’s entry and remains somewhat of a mystery in spite of the frequent search requests of our users. All that our users do know for certain is that the number appears to be rather suspicious, calling frequently but never leaving a message.

Our third number, 01143072406, is no stranger to our weekly top 5 as well. According to our users, the caller is claiming to be calling for British Gas and offers free insulations – raising suspicions among some of you. Commentator Sean, however, makes another suggestion:

they call on behalf of other companies, to get removed from their calling list email your name and phone number along with a compalint to, [email protected] also ask to be added to their do not call list.

With a score of 8, our fourth number, 02078909051, is deemed a rather untrustworthy number by most of you. While some were asked by the caller to participate in a survey, user guest had another expierence:

had over the last days many calls from them, they just don’t give up, they say they are calling on behalf of a consumer customer service, when I asked which one, they did not want to say and said that I would have to identify myself first. I told them if you don’t tell me for which service this allegedly is, I don’t tell you who I am.

Last, but not least is this week’s number 5: 02078909052. Calling every day of the week at unsociable hours, the calls are mostly considered nuisance and have even bothered users from Norway as well as the USA. Julia commented:

I was called at an unsociable hour (8pm), they wanted to know if I was happy with my bank. I said I wasn’t interested and hung up. I don’t know how they got my number as I am ex-directory. I was very annoyed at the time they chose to call.

Have a nice and nuisance call-free week (but if you don’t, please don’t hesitate to share any information on nuisance callers with our tellows community)!

Your tellows team

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This Week’s Most Wanted

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Dear friends of tellows,

it is time for our weekly update on the top 5 most wanted numbers on tellows. This week’s numbers cover a broad spectrum of unsolicited call methods including silent calls and cold calls as well as surveys and telemarketing. But have a look yourself:

1. 01415676218 with 11 comments and 4233 search requests. tellows Score: 7
2. 01616528220 with 6 comments and 2493 search requests. tellows Score: 7
3. 01133902114 with 3 comments and 3232 search requests. tellows Score: 7
4. 01383620466 with 7 comments and 1767 search requests. tellows Score: 7
5. 08453130337 with 14 comments and 6318 search requests. tellows Score: 6

This week’s number one, 01415676218, is persistently bothering people with what appears to be silent calls. User Samantha has offered a plan to put a stop to the unsolicited calls:

I started answering, they still call every day and I swear at them. I have put in a report to TPS, I advise everyone else to as well.

Our second number, 01616528220, is calling from Manchester and – with a tellows score of 7 – has been rated untrustworthy by most of our users. While some reported that the caller is asking for an unknown person by name, others have made the experience that the caller gives out false information. Rosalind commented:

Sophie rang said they had been INFORMED I had been refused a loan! This is completely UNTRUE but I am concerned – where did they get this information from? Immediately I questioned the source of the information she hung up.

Meanwhile, the level of trustworthiness of our third place, number 01133902114 is rather debated. All commentators seem to be sure, however, that the number from Leeds belongs to a digital communications company. With a score of 7, the number 01383620466 ranking on our fourth place, is yet another untrustworthy number. Whereas the caller left some of our users dubious messages on the answering machine, others have been complaining about silent calls. User D Williamson suggested:

Despite having complained to C R Smith – Gerard Eadie – these silent nuisance calls continue. A second report has been sent to OFCOM. Perhaps C R Smith should be handed a £90000 fine as was given to D M Designs recently.

The last number for today, 08453130337, apparently calls people to conduct a survey. As several commentators mentioned the same company as their telephone provider, some suspect that there might be a connection between the unwanted calls and the provider. cQueen shared some other suspicions:

Number keeps calling me. havent answered it but have looked online adn seems to be a marketing company. VERY annoying

As always we like to remind you that if you have any information about dubious numbers please don’t hesitate to share them with our tellows community! Thanks to the knowledge our users have volunteered a lot of people were able to avoid scam and spam callers, so keep up the good work and have a nice, spam-free weekend!

Your tellows team

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Top 5 Nuisance Callers of the Week

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Dear friends of tellows,

these past few days have been rather busy for some of you. Having received unsolicited calls, our users have been frequently visiting tellows in search for the people responsible. While there might not always be an answer to that, we hereby provide you the top 5 most wanted numbers of the week:

1. 08003289393 with 1 comments and 3267 search requests. tellows Score: 2
2. 08000641087 with 9 comments and 8981 search requests. tellows Score: 6
3. 01143072406 with 5 comments and 4205 search requests. tellows Score: 7
4. 01782747000 with 4 comments and 2387 search requests. tellows Score: 5
5. 08451110202 with 6 comments and 2746 search requests. tellows Score: 6

A newcomer to our list, the number 08003289393 has been classified by users as trustworthy and unlikely to make nuisance calls. No such luck with the number placing second. For over a month now, the number 08000641087 is persistently ranking on the top spots of our top 5. Unable to return the call, most of our users are hesitant to pick up the phone. Just a few days ago, user EVE commented:

This number has rung my mother several times over the past few days,no ideas who its from because theres no message and you cant ring it back.

Returning from obscurity, the number 01143072406 makes a comeback after dropping from the top 5 nearly a year ago. Apparently posing as staff member of British Gas, the caller offers free or low-priced services for car owners. User James expressed his suspicion:

They offered me free insulation and wanted to send an engineer over. It sounded like a scam! I’m sure it is!!

Our forth place, the number 01782747000 has been reported as telemarketer by most users and its trustworthiness is highly disputed, even though the majority is bothered by the calls advertising bath lifts. Decktod wrote:

Yet another unwanted call which I choose to answer – I have no need of their services so why do they pester me

Another telemarketing company seems to be calling from the number 08451110202, which marks the final number of today’s post. With just a few words, user James sums up the gist of most comments:

Rang and left no message yet another nuisance

As you can see, nuisance callers have been quite busy as well. If you experience any unwanted or suspicious calls by strange numbers, don’t hesitate to share your information on tellows and help others to avoid possible scam artists. Take care and have a good, spam-free week!

Your tellows team

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The Top 5 Most Wanted Numbers

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Dear tellows friends,

another week, another series of nuisance calls. The fact that summer is at its height and people would like to think about other things than a ringing telephone doesn’t defy constant telephone-spammers. We present to you the top 5 most searched for numbers of the past few days:

1. 01234567890 with 3 comments and 2372 search requests. tellows Score: 6
2. 08000641087 with 7 comments and 8745 search requests. tellows Score: 5
3. 01656838051 with 0 comments and 289 search requests. tellows Score: 5
4. 02078909052 with 7 comments and 3230 search requests. tellows Score: 7
5. 02077850257 with 1 comments and 1336 search requests. tellows Score: 5

Ranking on the first place is number 01234567890, which appears to be used for computer scams. User David explained in his comment how the caller tries to gain access to the user’s PC:

Caller spoke very broken English and gave a very English name (who was he kidding!!) Claimed to be from a tech company that had picked up indications that my computer was not operating properly. Wanted me to go to my PC and give him control to fix the problem. Clear scam so i told him to go away and get an honest job. Beware.

While the number 08000641087 that places second raised user’s suspicions with frequent calls, so far no one has any further details on the number. However, user Joe has some theories:

This number called 5 times but leave any message; surely it is up to something bad. I dont how it had number but I have two theories. Either from ITV after submitting an answer to a competition or moneysupermarket.com after buying insurance, the only two companies I have recently given my number.

In spite of rising interest in number 01656838051, users have yet to share any experiences with it. In contrast, our users offer differing information on number 02078909052. Several report that they have been receiving unwanted calls even with ex-directory numbers. Fed Up wrote:

This company makes nuisance calls purporting to act for various companies – including MY bank! They call at unsocial hours and on Sundays. They should be stopped!

Quite a few users were also occupied by place 5, number 02077850257. User Chris commented:

They say that they are payday uk. They asking me about my loan and want to sell me repayment options. I told them that I don’t want to buy anything and that asked them to remove my number from their system.

If you receive any nuisance calls these days, please don’t hesitate to share your knowledge on tellows! Many users have benefited from the comments of others and could save a lot of time and energy by simply looking up a suspicious number on our site. Take care and stay scam- and spam-free!

Your tellows team

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Top5 Annoying Callers – The Unknown Spammers

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Dear tellows friends!

Finally we manage to give you an update on the recently most annoying numbers on tellows.co.uk. Most of the numbers of todays ranking will still be impenetrable afterward, but see it for yourself!

1. 08000641087 with 7 comments and 8433 search requests. tellows Score: 5
2. 01925555601 with 5 comments and 2962 search requests. tellows Score: 8
3. 08003160492 with 1 comments and 828 search requests. tellows Score: 6
4. 02078909052 with 7 comments and 3005 search requests. tellows Score: 7
5. 02084336082 with 2 comments and 714 search requests. tellows Score: 8

The tellows community is quite unsure about the source of number 1. A lot of people got called, but no one answered the phone. Calling back was not working at all. Joe reports:

This number called 5 times but leave any message; surely it is up to something bad. I dont how it had number but I have two theories. Either from ITV after submitting an answer to a competition or moneysupermarket.com after buying insurance, the only two companies I have recently given my number.

His two options might be good hints for someone else, who also got called and now sees a connection. Do not hesitate to share your experience on 08000641087 as well! Another conclusion about the source if this number can be made be looking at a comment on the German tellows website of this number, Lee Mollins tells us:

It’s a firm called LBM marketing and they appear to work on behalf of several of the networks – including O2, Orange

The case is pretty similar with number 2 of this weeks most annoying numbers. Although we registered 2962 search requests, there are not much comments that tell more about the origin of 01925555601. A lot of times, no one answered or the phone was put down. While Ryan says:

sounded like the guy off fonejacker persistant in offering me upgrades rolling contract says hes from O2 then from Carphone none of which have ever rung me off a Warrington number… avoid

River has a different explanation:

they called me today and said i qualified for a new handset- it is being delivered to my work tomorrow. It’s Carphone Warehouse whom I have a contract with. Nonetheless it sounded a little too dodgy for me.

Either way, there is no solid conclusion what this number is about. Still, most of the users rated this number as untrustworthy.

Also number 4 02078909052 is a quite mysterious number, the suspected owner ranges from staff of “carglass”, service providers for several banks and even members of the department of education. What is clear, there is no serious intention behind these calls. Kathleen sums up, what a lot of other users might also think:

I am really fed up with these type of constant calls, I am ex-directory and with the Telephone Preference Service I have complained about this number to Ofcom and will keep doing this every time I get these unwanted calls. It’s about time the government did something about this constant harassment.

We always want to provide you with a lot of information regarding nuisance and spam callers, but as a matter of fact, you, the community of tellows, is needed for it! Through commenting and sharing experience others will be encouraged to talk as well, or even take action against scammers and spammers. This week we come to realize, that it is sometimes hard to get the needed information, which makes cooperating much more essential.

Stay tuned

your tellows team!

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Ofcom Study – Ban on Cold Calling is claimed

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A research initiated by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) reveals the truth about unsolicited nuisance calls in the UK and thus calls for action to solve to problem of far too many cold calls.

The Ofcom Study
Within a period of four weeks 850 consumers were asked to keep a diary of all cold calls they receive. The Ofcom research revealed that 80 percent of the participants received unwanted calls regularly, on an average even more than twice a week. Especially calls on PPI reclaim (Payment Protection Insurance) were the most annoying and yet also the most often ones. While at least one out of four people got called more than 10 times, most calls came from PPI claim companies as well as from market research firms.

What is next?
In terms of the survey findings the Citizens Advice called for a complete ban on cold calling. Not only because more than one third of all complaints from companies are related to cold calls. Mostly firms dealing with financial services use cold and silent calls and thereby demanding upfront fees or trying to sell unprofitable offers, cheating people out of their pension. Furthermore the companies get personal data through the nuisance calls, mostly unbeknown and unauthorised by the individuals. A ban would help to make cold calls clearly identifiable as illegal. Citizens Advice recommends the banning of credit brokers and claims management companies as well as of pension unlocking services.

Ofcom follows a different strategy though. Not the banning but a wide investigation into claims management companies making the cold calls is needed. Thereby not only the big companies will be in the focus of enforcement actions, also smaller companies are responsible for the nuisance calls to a large extent and should be overseen. Ofcom is now promoting wider investigation and action regarding cold calls, especially dealing with claims. Thereby they focus on silent calls as well, which are done by the company’s telephone systems automatically without even having a staff member conducting the calls.

Taking Action
The government as well as other regulators and institutions are called upon to take action more effectively. Ofcom already imposed penalties for silent and abandoned calls done by major firms as TalkTalk. Furthermore the ICO supports the attempts of Ofcom by pointing out the regulations and industry rules to over 170 marketing companies. Nevertheless householders can get active themselves. By signing up for the free Telephone Preference Service (TPS) individuals can stop nuisance calls on the purpose of marketing and sales. However, as we already mentioned in our last article, it is extremely hard to block most of the calls, as they often come from overseas call centres. Not more than one third of all abandoned calls can be cut out. For further improvement Ofcom is currently collaborating with the ICO and the Ministry of Justice for more effective actions.

We will keep you informed about upcoming achievements in the struggle against nuisance calls in our blog on tellows UK.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/may/17/ofcom-urged-ban-cold-calling

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Data Protection and Nuisance Calls – Rights and Regulations

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The usage of nuisance calls is one of the most annoying marketing strategies nowadays, its benefits are highly controversial and justifiably so. Nevertheless dozens of companies call and message their customers as well as total strangers every day. While the tellows community offers fruitful hints about the source of certain telephone numbers, we now would like to provide you with useful information regarding your right to data privacy as well. Especially the regulations on personal data and its use are rigorous and actually promote benefits for all of us. But for a successful fight against scam and spam calls you need to know and defend your rights.

The following information will give you a broad knowledge on data security, mainly based on laws and regulations valid in UK. Some institutions were specially built for the protection of our data.

The Data Protection Act
The DPA is one of the most important pieces of legislation when it comes to data protection in the UK. The DPA was enacted to be in line with the data protection directive in the EU, which should guarantee protection of people’s right to privacy, especially concerning the processing of personal data. As it aims to safeguard consumer rights regarding personal data, the 1998 DPA also guarantees self-control over personal information and the right to privacy. It determines that any collection or use of personal date requires consent of the individuals concerned. Furthermore, all organisations processing this kind of data need to comply with the regulations of the Act and need to be registered at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as well. It also vests all individuals with the authority to get access to their stored data by any organisation.

Privacy Electronic Communication Regulations
The EC Directive, known as the E-Privacy Directive is a continuation of the DPA on data protection. It enables criminal proceedings through fines up to £500,000 for the unauthorised use of recorded messages for marketing purposes. The impact of the EC Directive also includes phone calls, emails and SMS messages. Thereby it provides the legal basis for consumer protection especially in the case of direct marketing and has been amended several times.

Information Commissioner’s Office
As mentioned before, the ICO is the authority for upholding consumer rights as well as data protection in the UK. The enforcement of both presented regulations is controlled by the ICO, who has multiple tools for opposing misuse of personal data. There are not only possibilities of monetary penalty, the ICO is also entitled to audit and prosecute anyone disregarding the DPA or the EC Directive.

Every call or message as marketing measure needs to be consented by the individual to be permitted. In any case marketers need to provide a possibility to opt out any following messages or calls to meet the legal regulations. If this is disregarded, those responsible also disregard the regulations and thereby are liable to prosecution. Thus, consulting the ICO is everyone’s right. When there is violation of rights, the ICO takes action to ensure a proper handling of personal information and also enables individuals to detect the information held about them.

Telephone Preference Service
Next to these legal institutions and laws consumers have the possibility to use the TPS. This central register enables people to opt out from receiving unsolicited nuisance calls. As described before, organisations have to respect the request of individuals not to be approached if listed in the TPS. The free registration can be done by any individual for a certain number (mobile phone numbers as well) and takes full effect after approx. 28 days. The TPS offers a complaint system as well. Although the TPS is not allowed to take any action of enforcement, they regularly send updates about the incoming complaints to the ICO as the body responsible. This strongly supports their investigations.

While reliable companies accept the TPS entries as it is a legal requirement, it is quite easy for organisations working outside of the UK to circumvent the regulations. Through Caller ID spoofing, which allows deceptive organisations to display a number that is not the original one. Although this is obviously illegal, the ICO’s and TPS’s authority is not effective outside the UK. Unfortunately a TPS registration does also not prevent calls on the purpose of legit market research. Also the receipt of marketing text messages is not under the control of TPS. To stop receiving SMS messages you have to send a request to the company yourself, a simple „STOP“ message is enough though.

The Office of Communications
The Ofcom has an even broader scope. As it is a regulatory and competition authority approved by the government, it represents the interest of UK citizens regarding competition and protection for broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries. Thereby the Ofcom also deals with problems of nuisance calls and offers particular guidelines for several situations.

All of the presented regulations and authorities can help you taking care of annoying, even malicious phone calls and messages. In some cases however it might be advisable to consult a lawyer to advice you for further legal steps if necessary.

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