Annoying phone calls

[Ember]

I am getting more and more calls from companies trying to sell me something or wanting questionnaires answering etc, I understand there is a number that you can ring to put a stop to this type of call. Can anyone help. Please.

[kags]

Telephone Preference Service - you can register online here click here

[Mattk]

P.Greenwood - thankyou !!!!!! I use caller ID to prevent unwanted hassle on the phone but now on from using that webbie I'll get no more ! thanks again

[desertrat]

I use the TPS and it has greatly reduced the number of sales calls. There will still be some dodgy companies who will not subscribe to the TPS and who will still call you. There is also a service (free I believe) that you can obtain from your telephone company which will stop calls from withheld numbers. Essentially it gives them a message that if they want to call you then they will have to display their telephone number. As you can imagine a dodgy company won't be keen to do that.

[Ember]

Thank you all, I have registered this morning and so in 28 days time I look forward to peace at mealtimes again. Long live AB

[Mr Bear]

There is another way. When you get one of those calls, simply answer with the words "Please hold on" and then walk away and do whatever you want _ have dinner, go to a movie whatever. When you come back and hear the "beep beep beep" , you will know that you have succeeded in holding up their end of the business for some time. If everyone did that they would maybe makin fewer calls. If you reguister it doesnt stop them annoying someone else.

[paulz]

Mr Bear - I take your point, I get irritated too, but it isn't the fault of the poor soul who's making the call, they're only doing their job. Surely it's easier to leave the phone to ring [ours switches to a messagebank after 5 rings] if you don't want to be disturbed; or if you choose to answer [a] tell them you're not interested [b] a tenant - council / private that usually gets shot of them painlessley.

[Ember]

Mr Bear you answer is of course tempting but as paulz says its not fair to the person who is, after all, trying to earn a living like the rest of us. My son always tells them he is bankrupt (untrue) but it gets rid of them pronto.

[Raydude]

Here is the best way to deal with those nasty calls. Ask the person on the other end of the call to please give you their home phone number. They will be shocked and tell you NO! Then politely say that unless they are prepared to take a call while they are relaxing at home, then they should re-consider calling you and disturbing you...works every time! Ps.. Telephone Preference scheme is great.