Ten tips to stop cold calls

You can stop many unwanted phone calls with a few easy steps

1 Register for free with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

Which? research has found that signing up for free to the TPS cuts the cold calls people receive on average by one third. The TPS takes 28 days to become fully effective.

By law, UK-based companies must not make unsolicited sales and marketing calls to TPS-registered home phone or mobile numbers, even if the call centre is overseas.

The TPS won't stop scams, market research calls, calls from companies where you have 'opted in' or calls from companies based abroad.

To register with the TPS, call 0845 070 0707 or go to the TPS website.

If you want to opt out of receiving most junk mail via the Mail Preference Scheme (MPS) at the same time, go to the StayPrivate website.

Both the TPS and MPS are free – if a company ever asks you to pay for this service, refuse and inform the TPS.

Don't get caught out by a scam cold call. Which? has plenty of , including how to identify the various scams doing the rounds and avoid becoming a victim.

2 Go ex-directory

Some companies, particularly local businesses, may use online or paper phone books to find phone numbers to target with sales calls. Ask for your phone number to be excluded from directories – this will stop companies from finding out your number in this way.

3 Keep your name off sales call lists

Data protection laws prohibit companies from calling you for marketing purposes if you've asked them not to, even if you're a customer.

If you must provide your phone number to a company, for example when signing up to a new service or buying a product online or on the phone, ask the company not to call you for marketing purposes or pass your number on to third parties.

Carefully check the marketing 'opt out/opt in' boxes to see if ticking or unticking them will prevent calls from the company itself or from third parties. If it doesn't, directly ask the company not to call you for sales and marketing purposes.

Contact companies you already receive unwanted sales calls from and ask to be removed from their sales call lists.

Companies should abide by verbal requests to stop calling according to rules around marketing calls. It's a good idea to put your request in writing too so there is a formal record.

4 Screen your phone calls

If you have caller display and an answer phone, consider only answering calls from numbers you recognise. Legitimate callers are likely to leave a message. If you're a BT phone customer, BT Privacy at Home gives you free caller display as long as you make some calls with BT. You can also ask BT to register you with the TPS.

If your home phone offer a caller display function, it might be time to upgrade to a Which? Best Buy cordless phone with the help of Which? handset reviews

5 Set up call barring for unwanted calls

Many cold calls come from abroad, so unless you need to receive international calls, ask your phone operator if it can block calls from international numbers.

You may also wish to block calls from withheld numbers, though this may prevent some calls you want to receive. For example, if a friend or relative is calling from their workplace, this number may be withheld.

Your phone operator may charge for call barring services.

6 Consider using TrueCall

TrueCall's product (www.truecall.co.uk) plugs directly into your home phone and offers fairly sophisticated call-filtering for a one-off fee of £100. It deals with different types of call in different ways. For example, if the number is on your 'Star' list the call will be put straight through, though you must have caller ID on your phone to be able to add numbers to this list. 

If the TrueCall device doesn't recognise the number, it will ask the caller to give their name before letting the homeowner know that there is an incoming call. The device will then tell the homeowner the caller's name, and the homeowner can decide whether to take the call, have the caller leave a full message, or have TrueCall notify the caller that the homeowner does not wish to speak with them.

7 Don't bow to cold calling pressure

If you receive a cold call, stay calm and don't let the caller intimidate you or pressure you with 'one-day-only' offers. Never reveal your name, address or financial details. If it's a legitimate call from a company you're interested in or are already a customer of, you can always call the company directly.

If you suspect a scam, don't press any phone buttons during the call. This could redirect you to a premium-rate number which you will be charged for.

8 Make a note of the cold call number

If possible, get the cold call phone number and company name (dial 1471 to check the number if you don't have caller display). These details will help organisations such as Ofcom take action.

If the cold caller withholds their phone number, make a note of the time of the call – your phone operator may be able to trace it.

9 Report cold calling offenders

• Report TPS rule breaches to the TPS. The TPS will contact the company and pass complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which can take action against repeat offenders.
• Report suspected scams to Action Fraud.
• Report other problem calls – such as silent calls - to your phone provider and/or Ofcom (0300 123 3000), which is reponsible for tackling nuisance calls.

10 Distance selling regulations – your rights

If you buy something as the result of a cold call, under distance selling regulations you usually have seven working days from the day after you receive the item to change your mind and return it.

Find out more about your rights when you buy over the phone in the Which? guide to returning unwanted goods. If you have problems with a company or are unsure of your rights, Which? legal lawyers can offer unlimited legal advice by phone for less than £6 a month.