Landline/Mobile Numbers on web sites

Peter_Laws_2

Hello,

This is my first post, so please forgive if this type of post already exists.

I am ex-directory (BT), block 141, etc. Now, I've added my number to Telephone Preference Service years ago, but still get random calls. So, I thought I'd search for my numbers (BT & mobile numbers) on Google for a laugh - sadly I wasn't laughing. There's loads of sites that lists my number(s) (eg phonespamfilter.co.uk for one - it's meant to help catching marketeers, but sadly it's a hindrance). Which defeats the object of being ex-directory imo.

Are these type of sites even legal? I mean, take for example the site I just listed, lists every number, marketeer or not. What would stop scammers harvesting these numbers?

System

Peter_Laws wrote: »

There's loads of sites that lists my number(s) (eg phonespamfilter.co.uk for one

Phonespamfilter just logs complaints about numbers. Are you saying that if you enter your number, Phonespamfilter takes you to complaints that you are spamming people? They say they have 10 000 numbers logged as complained-about. If I input my number, they just say they have no complaints about it. They don't offer a database of all UK numbers. The spammers don't need one. They have computer systems that call all possible numbers, and start the sales talk if they get an answer.

According to the Information Commissioner
http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/directories_of_subscribers.aspx
you can't legally be included in a Reverse Directory unless you have given your informed consent:

Reverse searching
Directory information should only be made available in line with subscribers’ wishes and expectations. Generating a name or address (or both) from a phone or fax number (reverse searching) has not traditionally been offered in the UK and is not what subscribers generally expect. So the Regulations prohibit reverse searching unless the subscriber has given their prior informed consent. This requirement was originally set out in the 1998 Code of Practice on Telecommunications Directory Information Covering the Fair Processing of Personal Data.

The idea of reverse searching may not be fully and generally understood, so additional specific consent must be obtained from subscribers agreeing to allow their information to be made available on this basis. It will not be enough for this consent to be combined with various other terms and conditions, which someone might agree to without fully appreciating the consequences.

This outfit
http://www.intelligenttracing.co.uk/Default.asp
appears to me to be operating illegally.

Buzby

Youngnick is correct on how the ICO views these sites, but as to the website holding any valid information is a different issue. Just as sites use tags to trap search queries, this one lists phone numbers - starting from 00000 and counting up a digit at a time.

My number is listed there (also ex-D) but so are the other 9999 line numbers on my exchange. I can guarantee, I do not make spam calls, and neither do my neighbours. The website, however gets paid for its banner advertising, so they get a hit - and payment - for no effort.