With telecommunications such a big part of everyone’s lives these days, it will come as no surprise that there a great many data lists available to telesales teams from businesses up and down the country. Once your telephone number is one of these lists, it can be the start of unwanted, even nuisance, calls.

You have almost certainly been called over the last few months by an automated message offering you the chance to legally write off debts, or to reclaim your PPI. This type of nuisance call can be especially upsetting for the elderly or other vulnerable people, particularly if they live alone.

Dealing with Nuisance Calls

If you wish these calls would stop, you are not alone, and there are things you can do to put an end to it. There are now products available that can help.

The Call Blocker is one such piece of equipment. It works by intercepting the call, even before it rings, and the caller hears an automated message. If the caller is genuine, they have an opportunity to press 5 and the telephone rings as normal.

Products like this will work in tandem with broadband or digital telephony, and with any telephone service provider so they are very flexible.

To avoid getting on lists in first place, take your number ex-directory, and tick the boxes to ‘opt out’ of receiving marketing calls from third parties whenever you give your details out.

Dealing with More Sinister Calls

Malicious calls are another matter. The caller making malicious calls is intent on causing alarm or distress; they might be abusive or even threatening. Sometimes, they might not say anything at all. It can be worth saying that you will be calling the police, and if that does not dissuade the caller, try leaving your phone on the side, line open, and walking away. The prank caller will often get bored. Contact the police immediately if you are threatened.

It will help a lot if you can give the police various bits of information when you contact them, such as the date and time of the call, the caller’s number, if you have it, the details of the conversation and the length of the call.

This information will also be useful should you wish to complain to a regulator. If you do not have all the details, do not be put off making the complaint if you are feeling harassed or threatened by phone calls.

Register with the Telephone Preference Service

The TPS is a free service whereby telephone numbers are registered to opt out of receiving unwanted calls. It won’t stop all calls, but it does go a considerable way because there is a legal requirement for telesales staff not to contact registered numbers. Similar commercial options exist, though there might be charges associated with them so be sure to read the small print.