“Cold call blocker” warning from council

TRADING standards chiefs at Warrington are warning residents to be on their guard for cold callers offering a “free call blocker”.
The message comes following reports that a number of residents have been contacted by companies, in some cases, implying that they are the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), a central register from which people can opt out of receiving unwanted sales and marketing phone calls.
Typically customers who receive a cold call from one of these other companies are charged £79.99 for a call blocker when it is in fact free to opt out of this service.
To register with the real TPS, people can call 0845 070 0707 or visit www.tpsonline.org.uk
Pete Astley, Warrington’s assistant director of regulation and public protection said: “This is ironic that people are being cold called and offered a service which is to opt out of getting cold calls. We realise that nuisance phone calls such as these can really blight the lives of residents, especially those who are at home a lot or are vulnerable.
“It is free to register for this service and if doing this is not enough, then there are a few options that you may wish to consider.
“Firstly, go ex-directory. Keep your name off sales call lists by carefully checking the marketing ‘opt out/opt in’ boxes to see if ticking or unticking them will prevent calls from the company itself or from third parties.
“If it doesn’t, then directly ask the company not to call for sales and marketing purposes and set up call barring for unwanted calls.
“If you want to purchase a call blocker in addition to registering with the TPS, make sure you do your research. We don’t want residents to be misled by dishonest companies who falsely claim that they are the TPS.”
To report a scam or for general consumer advice, contact Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk