Stop nuisance calls and texts forever for free in less than a minute | Personal Finance | Finance

How often have you settled down for a meal or been occupied with a task when your landline or mobile rings, only to find it’s an unwanted sales or marketing pitch for something you neither require nor desire?

The answer is likely far too frequently. We’ve all been inundated with such irritating calls to the extent that spotting them has become second nature – whether through recognising the number on the display or hearing that telltale ‘click’ signalling an automated message is imminent.

Alternatively, you might pick up to find a brief silence before a tentative “Could I speak with…” as the caller stumbles over your name whilst reading from a screen, with the unmistakable din of a call centre humming in the background.

But what’s the solution? Particularly during this period when festive scams are rampant. Many contemporary mobile devices feature sophisticated fraud detection capabilities, and certain network operators provide call filtering within monthly tariffs – though this comes at a cost, reports the Daily Record.

However, you’ve got a few swift strategies when confronted with a call from an unfamiliar number – you can hold on to hear their proposition whilst ensuring your microphone is muted, as nuisance callers typically disconnect upon encountering eerie silence – just to confirm it’s a cold-caller.

Alternatively, disconnect immediately. In either scenario, it’s advisable to block the number without delay. However, there are measures you can take to permanently halt unwanted nuisance calls.

Companies contacting you regarding PPI claims, personal injury claims or other claims are not permitted to call unless you’ve given them consent, according to Citizens Advice Scotland.

If they ring without your authorisation, you can report them to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

It’s beneficial if you know their number, as well as the date and time of the call. If you don’t have all this information, you can provide other details about the call, including the company name they provided.

The Information Commissioner will conduct an investigation and could impose a fine on the company that contacted you.

Register with the Telephone Preference Service

The most effective method to prevent nuisance calls is to register your number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). They will add you to their list of numbers that wish to opt out of receiving sales and marketing calls.

Registration with the TPS is free and can be completed online in less than a minute.

Why should I register with the TPS?

It’s unlawful for companies to contact numbers registered with the TPS, thus registration should deter companies and cease their disturbances.

How to register with the TPS

To sign up on the TPS website here, you’ll need your phone number, postcode and an email address. You’ll also be asked to provide a reason for wanting your number registered.

Select one reason from the following options:

• To stop unwanted telephone marketing calls.
• To stop SMS messaging.
• To halt calls at unsuitable times.
• To ensure legitimate calls reach me.
• To prevent marketing of products that hold no appeal to me.
• Other (please specify).

Lastly, you’ll be asked how you came across TPS – choose one response from the provided list.

You can also ring them to register on 0345 070 0707.

If you get nuisance calls after you’ve registered with the TPS, it may be because you gave the caller your number – usually done through marketing preferences when signing up for something online,

Tell the caller you don’t want to be contacted again, and they should stop.

You might also still get calls from companies that don’t follow the regulations. You can get advice about companies that ignore the law from the TPS website here. Citizens Advice Scotland cautions consumers that if anyone requests money for TPS registration, it’s a scam – you should report it to Action Fraud immediately.

How to stop receiving nuisance texts

If you’ve previously given your number to a company, they might send you texts. You can request them to stop sending you texts by replying ‘STOP’ to the text message. Only reply with ‘STOP’ if the sender identifies themselves in the text or they’re identified in the sent-from number.

If you don’t recognise the sender of a nuisance text or it’s from an unknown number, don’t reply. This will inform the sender that your number is active and they may send you more texts or call you. Forward the text to 7726 – this corresponds to ‘SPAM’ on your mobile keypad. This action will report the sender to your mobile network provider, and you won’t incur any charges for forwarding a text to 7726.

For additional information, or to register your number with the Telephone Preference Service, visit their website here.