Over 30 million people hit by unwanted PPI messages

Former_MSE_Michael_C

"67% of British adults, equivalent to 32 million people, say..."


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Over 30 million people hit by unwanted PPI messages

dunstonh

I feel I have been called 30 million times alone!

I will make one comment on the article and that is the quote from Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy says: "I want financial services firms to be banned from cold calling. That will help consumers identify good firms from the bad. Then if you get a cold call you'll know it is either a bogus firm or a company not to be trusted..... " It is not financial services firms that are calling. Surely the CAB should not be making a basic error like that. Financial services firms already have rules on cold calling. That includes not being allowed to cold call on lending/mortgages, investments and pensions (or other investment backed contracts). The principle is the same. If you are cold called by one of those then assume scam, bogus firm or dodgy. However, claims companies are not financial services firms.

[Deleted User]

dunstonh wrote: »

However, claims companies are not financial services firms.

Probably a slip-of-the-tongue or a mis-quote. Ms Guy will be well aware of the existing rules covering firms offering financial services. Regardless, if all are banned from cold-calling then people will know to ignore them.

skylight

Only 30 million??

spacey2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23869462

This guy has the answer to phone pests.

[Deleted User]

spacey2012 wrote: »

This guy has the answer to phone pests.

If only it was that simple...

brewerdave

I'm surprised that its PPI that still causes the most grief - I seem to get never ending calls about grants for new boilers, double glazing, cavity wall insulation etc etc -I've had 2 already this morning @ home.
Also the Microsoft "helpdesk" scam seems to be starting up again!!!

Caddyman

I no longer actually have a problem with cold callers, whether it be PPI, cavity wall insulation, or window companies, through the self discipline of never actually answering my landline telephone when it rings! I used to leave the landline 'phone unplugged from the master socket and just check for any messages at the end of each day. Now, I just leave the 'phone ringing and let the answerphone kick in. If it is a genuine call, a message will be left, if it isn't, guess what? usually, no message is left. Just dial 1471 and if a number is available, research it on whocallsme.com, a great site which often will give you the answer about which company is making the call, then do what I do, submit a complaint to Ofcom each and every time. Something must be working, because I've sent over 30 online complaints to Ofcom in the past couple of years and my cold call traffic has reduced to next to nothing. The odd company does leave an automated message which I will always follow up with a complaint to Ofcom!

The problem with the domestic telephone is there is this inbuilt compulsion by human beings to answer it automatically when it rings because the call 'might be important'. Agreed, at 2 o'clock in the morning, that might well be the case. As for calls I receive up to 11pm, well they can call all they like, I just won't pick up the 'phone!

dunstonh

The problem with the domestic telephone is there is this inbuilt compulsion by human beings to answer it automatically when it rings because the call 'might be important'.

It might be. After all the telephone is there for people to ring you.

Caddyman

dunstonh wrote: »

It might be. After all the telephone is there for people to ring you.

Yeah, I know, so what's wrong with letting the call go to answerphone and the individual calling you leaving a message? I'm saying, don't fall into that trap of thinking every time your telephone rings, it 'might be important'. Don't forget, if the caller leaves a message, you then have the option of calling them back. If they don't leave a message, then as far as I'm concerned, the call was never anything to worry about in the first place, even more so if they deliberately withhold their number. I'm sorry, but sitting there fretting and worrying about whether the call 'might be important' just because I choose not to answer a ringing telephone, left my conscience long ago!

dunstonh

Yeah, I know, so what's wrong with letting the call go to answerphone and the individual calling you leaving a message?

Many people dont like answerphones and wont leave a message?
Why should people have to act that way?

Seems little point having a phone if it is not there to be used as a phone.