Brits get a billion nuisance calls

The full extent of the danger rogue telemarketers pose to legitimate businesses has been exposed by one MP, who estimates there are nearly 1 billion nuisance calls in Britain each year.
Liberal Democrat Mike Crockart, who has been campaigning to curb the practice, made the claim ahead of a House of Commons debate being held today (Thursday).
Industry figures show about 30 million Britons received an unwanted communications about Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) alone last year, with the “usual suspects” of energy suppliers, double-glazing firms and debt-relief businesses also prominent. Meanwhile, an Ofcom study published in May revealed that over 82% of consumers are getting nuisance marketing calls on their landlines.
Citizens Advice, a long-term campaigner for a change in legislation, claims nine out of 10 people who receive cold calls say they do not trust companies which resort to the technique.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “It is time companies hang-up marketing plans that bombard people with unwanted phone calls, text messages and automated voicemails. I’d like to see financial service companies banned from cold calling. A ban on these firms would help people know a call out of the blue is one not to be trusted.”

Related stories
82% of public get nuisance calls
Telemarketing sector ‘in meltdown’
Comply with TPS or else, brands told
Are data enforcers up to the job?
ICO gunning for rogue phone firms
HomeServe hit by £750k call fine
Ofcom bolsters silent calls attack