Which? gathers support, and critics

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey has joined with the DMA to back a new online tool from Which?, allowing consumers to report nuisance marketing calls, although some claim it could confuse the issue even further.
The launch of the service, available on its website, follows research which found that less than a fifth (17%) of consumers officially complain about rogue calls and texts.
Which? claims this is not a true reflection of the scale of the problem as a previous study found that 85% of people receive at least one nuisance call on their landline a month – although this figure could be much higher for some households.
Vaizey urged consumers to use the service and added: “This initiative will make it quicker and easier for people to raise concerns about any company plaguing them with nuisance calls.”
Meanwhile DMA chief of operations Mike Lordan reiterated the trade body’s view that regulators already have strong powers of enforcement to investigate and fine those companies breaking the law. He added: “Which?’s tool will help people on the receiving end to give the regulators the information they need to identify and deal with lawbreakers to protect consumers and the legitimate mobile and telemarketing industries alike.”
However, one industry source claimed the move was “unhelpful”. He said: “Consumers are confused enough already where to report nuisance calls and texts to. The TPS? The DMA? The ICO? Ofcom? Although the intentions are no doubt sound, adding in yet another service detracts from the main issue – we need a single point of contact for complaints.
“If you have problems with your bank, you go to the Financial Ombudsman. If you have an issue with your energy supplier, it’s Ofgem. Instead of jumping on the Which? bandwagon, Ed Vaizey would be better off sorting out an equivalent official complaints procedure for nuisance calls.”

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