Tps And Non Cold Callers, Advice Please

[FrogNog]

I've lived in my current home for 4 years but I still get debt collecting calls looking to speak to someone I've never heard of.
I also get letters, but they are for a different person and I think I've sorted that with Experian.
Anyway, I am already TPS registered. Is there anything else I can do to stop these calls?
I'm always asking them to take me off the calling list and they say they will but they still call back.
The letter guys told me I'd been taken off 4 times but when they look for him again, my address keeps coming up, hence the chat with Experian.
Is there a similar thing available for the phone?
Thanks.

[boxtops]

We found TPS pretty useless, so we pay to register with the Call Prevention Registry (£49). If anyone does get through their net, you report the number to CPS and they contact them - they don't ring again. Alternatively they give you a call blocking device you fit to your phone, so you can block numbers who repeat-ring you.

[FrogNog]

Thanks boxtops but 50 quid is a lot of money to me and I don't know if I could justify paying for it.
Sounds good though. How often do you have to pay that?

[boxtops]

It's an annual subscription, frognog, nothing else to pay.

[FrogNog]

Thanks. I'll keep it in mind.
It seems a shame that I have to pay to stop someone bothering me though. Seems a bit *** about face

[FrogNog]

a r s e :p

[Buenchico]

TPS only deals with unsolicited sales calls. It's perfectly lawful for survey firms, debt collectors and anyone else to continue to call you. (TPS actually works quite well but you need to ensure that you report any UK sales calls that get through to you).

Since there are probably only a small number of debt collecting companies looking for the previous occupier, it might be easiest simply to block the numbers of those companies. You need to have caller ID enabled on your phone and one of these:
http://www.shop.bt.com/promotions-and-press-releases/products/latest-range-from-bt/
(They're also sold in Argos and some of the big supermarkets).

[FrogNog]

What if the numbers are withheld Buenchico?
Seems like I'd have to block them all and not all withheld numbers are nuisance.
I think I might write down the company name next time and draft some snail mail or something.

[boxtops]

We got one free with our CPS subs, Chris....

[FrogNog]

And again. It doesn't seem to be fair that I have to pay to stop it.

[boxtops]

It's worth it, though.. Nothing else deters them, IMO.

[EDDIE51]

Would not the easiest way for the phone be to get a new ex-directory number and only let those you want to know it ? All phone companies will change your number if you are getting nuisance calls

[BlackadderV]

Very useful advice Chico. I was thinking of getting a new phone as mine is almost on the blink (won't let me delete messages). For under £50 plus the ability to block calls it's a bargain.

[TWR]

I have discussed this issue a few times, If you continually get these phone calls would that not be termed as harassment?

[Postdog]

Where are they getting a phone number from. I can understand writing because an address is an address, but numbers change as the people do.

[Buenchico]

The problem is, FrogNog, that persistent debtors have a nasty habit of pretending to be someone else when debt collectors call, so simply telling them that you're not the person that they're looking for doesn't always convince them. As you suggest, writing to them might help.

I once had a debt collector (looking for someone else) call at my front door. When I told him he'd got the wrong guy he very politely asked if I'd mind showing him some ID, so that he could tell his employers that there was definitely no point sending more debt collectors to my house. When I showed him the house deeds, which showed that I was the SIXTH(!) owner since the debtor had lived here, he seemed convinced!

However I still get debt collectors (and people offering loans) calling my mobile number, trying to get hold of a Debbie England, despite the fact that I've had my number for over a decade. I've even had a call from Ms England's boyfriend, accusing me of stealing her phone and telling me that he was coming round to my house to smash my face in!

[Buenchico]

>>>but numbers change as the people do

Really? I've never known anyone who has moved into a house not take over the existing number for that property.

>>>If you continually get these phone calls would that not be termed as harassment?

Harassment for debt is a criminal offence but it has to involve a sustained course of action (such as phoning a dozen times a day or in the middle of the night). Simply making occasional calls can't constitute 'harassment'. Of course, if there are several creditor chasing the same debtor, the total number of calls might become excessive but no individual caller can be guilty of harassment.

[BlackadderV]

I've never known anyone who has moved into a house not take over the existing number for that property.

Most people I know take their number with them when they move if possible. I had a memorable number but could not transfer it when I moved as it was a different exchange. After 9 years I still have to think when people ask me for my number, but I can reel off my old one just like that.

[Postdog]

Funny, I've only known the opposite...never encountered anyone who has retained the existing number. Existing line yes, but with a new (or usually a very old but no longer used) recycled number.

[Postdog]

Just in case of misunderstanding, I mean people leaving the number at the house. I also known plenty who have moved locally and taken their number with them.

[EDDIE51]

^^ same here retain the line but with a new number.
Blackadder are you thinking of the old BT days when new numbers were often not available?. You were lucky to get a house with a phone line.
I can remember someone moving home often had to wait months to get their phone reconnected. We got our 1st phone by moving into a house that had a phone line.