Phone calls from marketing companies

[SGirl]

A marketing company working on behalf of a certain credit card company with a four-letter name is driving me crazy. I've asked them time and time again not to call during the working day, but still they carry on.

And the latest is this. Yesterday they phoned me about 6 times, and not once did anyone talk to me, the call was just cut off because nobody at their end was available at the time. Annoying, but there we are.

But today, I've spoken to them no fewer than four times, and taken other unconnected calls at least three times.

So my question is this - just how can I stop these idiots phoning me every five minutes? I've already called their head office and asked them to remove my number from their database. But this agency is an external company. I've asked them to remove it too, but what's the betting I'll get another call within the next hour or so?

So. Any ideas, chaps? How can I stop them harrassing me?

[silversun]

Call them up and tell them you're going to report them to the Police as a nuisance caller. I did this with 02 and got major apologies.

I belong to a Union and last night got a call from an insurance company who did some kind of offer in conjunction with my Union (Amicus). I asked her right at the start if it was a sales call and she said no but then proceeded to try and flog me insurance!

[justayellowbadge]

silversun said:

I belong to a Union and last night got a call from an insurance company who did some kind of offer in conjunction with my Union (Amicus). I asked her right at the start if it was a sales call and she said no but then proceeded to try and flog me insurance!

I had some complete anchor call a few days ago. I asked 'Is this a sales call?'
'No,' came the reply, and then he tried to sell me stuff.
'I thought this wasn't a sales call?' says I. 'It isn't,'argues sleazebag 'This is a savings call'

Clunk..brrrr......

>> Edited by justayellowbadge on Friday 5th August 17:15

[Tank Slapper]

Telephone Preference Service

[bouffy]

register with the TPS - Telephone Preference Service, which SHOULD ensure that your phone number no longer becomes available for datalist companies to buy. Most cowboys don't take any notice of this, but an organisation of the size / reputation you describe should make sure that they adhere to all the correct Marketing guidelines and the Data Protection Act (DPA).

Your credit card company should regularly de-dupe their prospect database with the TPS - so your number should come off their list next time they do so.

Apart from that, not a lot you can do apart from complain, write to them, complain again, and threaten with legal action, report them for contravening the DPA etc. Make sure you write to both the telemarketing agency and the credit card company.

Good luck - it's damned annoying, I know.

PS Always worth writing to the Database Manager or Marketing Director, cc'ing the CEO. That'll do the job.

>> Edited by bouffy on Friday 5th August 17:15

[silversun]

I am registered with the TPS but unfortunately they don't stop companies that you already have dealings with calling you.

[lv2spd]

I find that burning their homes and eating their children usually dissuades people from calling me anymore.

[SGirl]

Thanks for your advice, chaps. I'm already registered with the TPS, but the police route sounds interesting. If they call again today, I'll give that a go and see where it takes me!

I think I'll draw the line at arson though, thanks all the same.

>> Edited by SGirl on Friday 5th August 17:25

[lv2spd]

Well, I didn't say it was a good idea, I said it was effective.

[MOTCO]

Tell them you're an undischarged bankrupt. That's a bit like a bucket of cold water ....

[Pickled Piper]

Yep register with TPS. When they do call undrer the guise of a marketing call, push them for their name company details, address, phone number etc. Usually they get shirty and hang up. Occasionally, you will get one who is more dense than normal Once you have extracted the information just log onto the TPS website and "shop them" on line. Only takes a few minutes and is enormously satisfying.

pp

[caro]

The next time they call, say that they should not be calling you as you are registered with the TPS and that you are going to report them to the TPS. Take the full name of the person calling you and a note of the time, and tell them you are doing so. Then report them as promised.

[munky]

Get callerID. BT do it free as part of the "BT Privacy" option which is callerID plus TPS. Doesn't matter if you already signed up to TPS.

[bmw114]

Get call barring for unidentified numbers, I think 99.9% of these calls have there number witheld so they won`t even get you phone to ring and you will know that every number coming in is on 1471, My wife and i like to play a little game were when the phone rings in the evening we see who can pick up and put down the phone the quickest. It goes like this "Hello can i spe zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz put phone down,and if it is you mother ringing you just have to call her back, You won`t stop them ringing but it does`nt half make you feal good.