TPS overhauls service to attract mobile complaints

The Telephone Preference Service is continuing its campaign to make it easier to complain about so-called nuisance calls by overhauling the scheme for mobile phones so that consumers can now report a number simply by texting in.
The move follows last week’s Ofcom decision to scrap the need for complainants to finger a specific company, a move which is now being replicated for mobile users.
The latest change has come in response to the Which? Calling Time campaign, backed by more than 280,000 people and a number of major companies have also publicly pledged their support.
According to a new study from Which? while two thirds of people were aware of the TPS, only around a third thought the TPS could be used to block unsolicited calls to mobile phones.
Data from Ofcom and the TPS reveals that just 3% of the 78.9 million registered mobile phone users in the UK have signed up with the TPS.
Consumers can now register their mobile phone with the TPS for free by sending a text stating OPTOUT to 80057 and Which? will send a link to some simple steps to help stop nuisance calls.
Head of the TPS John Mitchison said: “It is now be possible to complain about rogue and nuisance callers more easily as the requirement for the company’s name has been dropped. This will make it easier for consumers to complain about rogue marketers.
“The TPS is free to sign up to and enables consumers to opt-out of receiving unwanted sales and marketing calls on their mobile and landline phones. It is a legal requirement for companies to screen calls against the TPS register and they are not allowed to call those people listed, unless they have given their prior consent. We will help the Information Commissioner’s Office build prosecutions against all companies that fail to follow this simple legal requirement,” he said.

TOPICS:ICO nuisance calls TPS