Nuisance Calls: Opt-Out Service 'Failing'

People registered with the Telephone Preference Service get double the average number of nuisance calls received by those who do not use it, according to a study.

The TPS is a free service for those who do not wish to receive telemarketing calls, with most UK firms that make live marketing calls legally required to screen calls against its lists.

But a survey by Which? found those registered with TPS still receive on average double the number of unsolicited calls than those not signed up.

Although those registered with TPS suffered fewer nuisance calls after signing up, they received on average 10 unsolicited calls in the last month compared with the average five for those not signed up.

The poll also found almost six in 10 TPS users (57%) were not satisfied with the service.

More than eight in ten people (85%) received an unsolicited call in the last month, with 8% of these receiving 50 or more unwanted calls or more over the same period.

Which? , whose Calling Time on Nuisance Calls and Texts campaign demands a joint taskforce be set up to tackle the problem, said the Government needed to lead a tougher approach.

Richard Lloyd, executive director at the consumer campaigning charity, said: "Consumers are sick and tired of being bombarded with nuisance calls and texts.

"The current system is failing the public and given the scale of this problem, it's time for the Government to step in.

"We urgently need to see a new approach, new laws and new technology to tackle this scourge on people's lives. People must be put back in control of their personal data."

John Mitchison, head of the TPS, said: "TPS registration stops unsolicited calls from law-abiding companies that check names against the TPS' 'do not call' list. However, it can't physically block calls from rogue companies that flout the law.

"We agree with Which? that further steps must be taken to stop nuisance calls. Government regulators need to enforce the law to punish those breaking the law, which would deter others from doing so."

An Ofcom spokesman said: "Ofcom takes firm action against companies who are in breach of the rules on abandoned and silent calls and we take this issue extremely seriously. Since last year, Ofcom has issued fines of more than £1.5m to companies that break the rules."