Grant Advisory Service telesales

claircoult

Hi!

This week I've had 2 telephone calls (withheld number) from people claiming to be from The Grant Advisory Service. They wanted to talk about cavity wall insulation and loft insulation and wanted me to confirm my home address.

I have to be honest telesales are one of my pet hates , I've been registered with the TPS for years and I try and report firms that break the rules. I only answer withheld number calls because several agencies I deal with use withheld numbers.

I asked the first caller for the contact details of the firm and he hung up. Today I was called by another very chatty representative who refused to give me contact details. When I asked for the company name he said there wasn't one, I asked for a contact number and he said they didn't accept incoming calls and I asked to speak to a manager and he said he was the manager. When I asked who paid for his wages he said all of the energy companies do, he then said it was a government thing and a council thing, I asked which council and he said my hometown council (my hometown council has a different name to the town name so I knew he was lying).

I know there are government grants out there but I'm not sure if this is a scam. He said they would send someone around to the house but woudln't say which firm they would be from or give me any contact details at all.

I know I wouldn't be happy inviting complete strangers to my house not know who was coming and where they were from! Plus I live in a newbuild house that can't have cavity wall insulation and already has very good loft insulation.

Has anyone else had anything like this? I've tried googling but the name is so generic that I can't figure out who actually called. I thought firms had to legally identify themselves too when they called you don't they?

I would like to make a complaint but I don't know who to complain to! The man on the phone said I would have to write to every single enegery company but that can't be right can it?

Clair

MothballsWallet

I'd complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), website is here, also I don't think the Grants Advisory people call you, they wait for you to call them, but I could be wrong.

Did you fill out any insulation/energy saving questionnaires at all as they could have got your details from there?

Do you have a date and time for the calls? You could approach your telephone company and see if they would give more details to the ICO.

claircoult

I would complain but I don't know who called me! I googled and there is no such thing as the grant advisory service and they refused to give me any details as to who they were or how they could be contacted or even a proper company name.

I haven't filled out any surveys recently, they said they got my name and address from the homeowners list from our energy company. I asked which one and he said all of them. So I guess I'm a bit stuck

Clair

Tinnles

You could call these people - they seem to host the service.
Generating Leads Solutions (GLS) Warwick
There is another thread on the forum where people say they are worried by the cold calls - and someone else said she had her roof insulated for free with their help - so you may have something to worry about and maybe not.

Tinnles

Just phoned GLS. who say if you are registered with TPS (Telephone Preference Service) you should not be getting these calls. If you give them your name and number they say they will suppress the calls ( I have had 2 I've answered in the last week and several I suspect are from them that I've ignored)

The number of GLS is 0844 8842436.

Colzim

I have also received 2 calls this week and ended up with a rude individual on the other end of the phone. I also have PTS on my line but that seems to make no difference. The second one said he would register a complaint about me telling him to get off my line. They claim to be using details from my electricity and gas provider.
Is there any way of getting them closed down or prosecuted?

shadowknightz

Colzim wrote: »

The second one said he would register a complaint about me telling him to get off my line.

!!!!!!? Cold-callers can register complaints about people telling them to get lost? That's ludicrous. People have the right to not be harassed in their own home.

I simply tell any cold-callers "not interested" and put the phone down as soon as they begin their spiel.

Furtlefinch

Many thanks to those who posted and especially the phone number of GSL, the company making these calls, which seem to range from dodgy to abusive.

I was cold called by someone claiming to be from 'Grant Advisory'. Is there such a thing or company? or is it just someone claiming to be able to advise me on getting insulation grants? I suspect it is a fake name anyway.

Anyway, after he refused to give his contact number, when I told person that I was going to notify the TPS he became severely abusive, using the F-word. Then after I put the phone down he - I assume - rang me back again!

Before TPS I would do a number of cold caller answers, to keep them hanging on to a dead phone as long as possible: 'Hang on, there's someone at the door', 'Can you hold on, the milk's boiling over'. I'm sure you can think of more. They get REALLY annoyed at this. Another good one is 'Thank you caller, I'm just putting you through...BEEP'.

I am sure that together by being smart we can get rid of cold callers and hope the individuals involved can go and get proper jobs instead.

fredflintstonerules

Tinnles wrote: »

The number of GLS is 0844 8842436.

or 01926 885088

Generating Leads Solutions Limited
8 Olympus Court
Olympus Avenue
Tachbrook Park
Warwick
CV34 6RZ

http://www.generatingleadssolutions.com/pages/5/Generating_Leads_Solutions/Consumer_Data_Provision

The B2C Universe consists of the complete set of data records held within our Lifestyle and Financial databases.
Selections

The file has over 300 variables and 600 selectable fields which are factual and accurate. The key selections include homeownership, house value, council tax bands, UK geographic areas, marital status, gender, head of household, household income, number of children, employment, age, hobbies and interests, mail order information, car information, financial details and credit interests.
The file is augmented by the inclusion of all ex-directory telephone numbers and also all Electoral Roll opt-outs. This is probably the most complete file in the UK and is essential for all serious direct marketers.

If you read here http://www.asa.org.uk/Complaints-and-ASA-action/Adjudications/2009/12/Generating-Leads-Solutions-Ltd/TF_ADJ_47800.aspx

you can see why these companies get away with it.

virtualdave

I had two calls last night from Grant Advisory Service who insisted I HAD to answer his questions which aroused my suspicions and my hackles! I told the caller, not apparently English, to get lost, but he rang back almost immediately asking to speak to my wife. It was clear he had not realised he had rung the same number twice consecutively. I told him he was an idiot and to get off the line.
I later checked the internet and found these postings, so have today reported the issue to Trading Standards. I also checked and found that I am registered with TPS as I thought. The number he called from came up as 01800509652, which seems an odd number. Have not, so far, been able to ascertain what an 01800 means. It seems to have overseas connections.

veryunsure

I've had 2 of these calls this week. I simply tell them that I have had all the free grant work I am entitled to! They have both said ok and ended the call very politely.