Preventing unwanted or malicious calls
There are different types of unwanted calls - those that are known as Marketing 'cold' calls (by companies normally trying to sell you something) or a malicious, indecent or grossly offensive call which is a criminal offence.
Marketing 'cold' calling
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) runs two free registration schemes designed to reduce the amount of unwanted phone calls and fax calls that you receive from sales and marketing organisations based in the UK.
By registering your telephone and/or fax line with them, the DMA can ensure that your number is no longer available to organisations, including charities and voluntary bodies, who might telephone you with offers and information you do not want to receive. Their contact details are as follows:
Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Phone: 0345 070 0707
Email: tps@dma.org.uk
Web: www.tpsonline.org.uk
Facsimile Preference Service (FPS) Phone: 0345 070 0702
Email: fps@dma.org.uk
Web: www.fpsonline.org.uk
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) www.dma.org.uk is also a source of useful information.
Still getting calls?
For more information as to why you may still be getting even though you are registered with TPS, please visit their website http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/stillgetcalls.html.
Calls from Sure
From time to time, we might contact you with offers we think you would like or occasionally for feedback on our services. If someone from Sure is calling, they will introduce themselves and say that they are calling from Sure. If you are unsure of someone’s identity, then we advise you to not give out any personal details over the phone. Please tell us at the time if you wish to no longer receive such calls from Sure.
Malicious, indecent or grossly offensive calls
Making a malicious, indecent or grossly offensive call is a criminal offence. Although rare, if you are a victim, please read the information below or call us on 07624 247 247 where we will do all we can to help you.
There are some basic initial precautions you can take that may be of help:
1. If you are in doubt about the caller, do not give your name, address or telephone number. This will help deter nuisance callers - who sometimes dial at random - from calling you again.
2. If the phone rings again immediately after you have ended your call, do not speak first. A genuine caller will be quite willing to speak first and to give you details about themselves.
3.If you have an answering machine, be sure not to leave your name or telephone number in the answer message.
4. If you suffer from malicious calls, we can arrange a change of number. Please call the Customer Support Centre to arrange this.
5. Malicious, abusive or threatening calls, whether from people you know or from strangers, are a criminal offence.
6. If the caller is making direct threats to you or your family and you believe those threats to be real and immediate, call 999 straight away.
7. If you believe that the threats are not immediate, then you should call your local police station on their non-emergency number.
Comments