[Dave]

Just recieved a call from 02088 618682 asking me marketing questions. Quite annoying when I registered with TPS to stop this kind of thing. So a quick search found the number belongs to Ipsos MORI where they have the nerve to justify bypassing TPS rules as follows :-

Where did you get my telephone number from?

On some studies your contact details will have been provided by the organisation that has commissioned the research. However, on most research conducted via the telephone, telephone numbers are generated using a process known as "random digit dialling". This involves generating a phone number by randomly adding the last set of digits to known valid area codes and exchange numbers to produce a telephone number. Other than the approximate geographical location of this number based on the area code and telephone exchange, nothing else is known about the number. It may be a public telephone box, business, fax machine etc. We do this to ensure we reach a genuine cross section of the public.

My telephone number is registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and/or BT Privacy service to stop cold calls so why are you calling me?

It is a legal requirement under The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 for companies or organisations that are making unsolicited calls (cold calling) for sales or marketing purposes to filter those calls against the TPS lists. There are no legal or regulatory requirements to filter unsolicited calls made for research purposes against the TPS. Our call to your telephone number was NOT intended to sell, market or provide any details for any goods or services in any way. Our call would have been made to request your participation in a genuine research study. In conducting these studies we are required to ensure that the individuals who take part are fully representative of the target audience being researched. To exclude individuals with TPS registered telephone numbers could bias the results. It would also deny you the opportunity of participating in this research, the results of which may impact policies or services you use! We have found that a similar number of individuals who have TPS registered numbers take part in our studies compared to those who are not TPS registered.

Full page here:- Ipsos MORI - Have We Contacted You By Telephone?

So basically they are stating they know you don't want cold calls, but seeing as it's not against the law they will do it anyway

[Dave]

Think I'll send a note to IPSOS stating my fees are £50 for answering phone & if they call again I will invoice them accordingly.

[_MB_]

OH nice idea

[GainfulShrimp]

I used a three prong defence to stop nuisance calls and it's been so successful that I no longer receive ANY nuisance calls, even from BT themselves. Here's my method:

1. Set up your phone number as ex-directory from the start.
2. Register with TPS just in case.
3. Don't plug in a handset to the socket.

I find the third step is essential, but worth it. I need a phone line for ADSL (I live in the sticks so no chance of cable and other options are a bit expensive) but I certainly don't need any nuisance calls from anyone on that line, ever.

You might ask how I know they're nuisance calls if I don't allow *any* calls... that's easy - my real friends will call or text me on my mobile. Anyone calling my landline will be a marketing weasel, because I've never given that number to anyone I want to hear from...

[dude]

Revenge is sweet - whenever I get an unsolicited sales/survey call I just put the receiver on the desk and leave it there as long as I can. Sometimes several hours. The caller will hang up, but cannot use that line again until I've hung up too. In the meantime they're still paying for that call. Now if everybody did that routinely.....
BTW the same goes for those unwanted, unaddressed items that come in the post. They all get put back in the nearest post box. Again, if we all did that the Post Office might get the message and pack it in.

[Summerleft]

We dont get many which is strange, but did get one 3 times a day from scottish power, i kept putting the phone down as it didnt connect immediately, however one night I got so fed up I told them to stop calling or I would complain.

Never had another call

[john crossley]

As I am TPS registered it is unusual to get cold calls, but on the rare occassions I do get them I play them at their own game.

I ask them for their Name, Age, Date of Birth, Address, Are they in full time employment, Their Employer.

Then when they start to protest I tell them that I can't complete their application unless they give me their details.

(How sad is that)

[Dave]

Originally Posted by john crossley

As I am TPS registered it is unusual to get cold calls, but on the rare occassions I do get them I play them at their own game.

I ask them for their Name, Age, Date of Birth, Address, Are they in full time employment, Their Employer.

Then when they start to protest I tell them that I can't complete their application unless they give me their details.

(How sad is that)

Excellent

I usually do it slightly different. I take their name & number, then ask if the call is being recorded. I then state that if I am called again , i will charge them a £50 fee for answering their call. As I have their details & call is recorded, I've never been called back by same company

[Chilliman]

Heres a script that you could alter a few bits, I thought this was hilarious and tried so of it once, the change in the telemarketers voice that called me was amazing...and funny.

Click Here

[sejanus]

Given that it's an offence to impersonate a police officer in Britain, I think I'd be inclined to choose a slightly different persona. Perhaps an MI5 officer investigating a terrorist cell? Just think of the fun you could have then...