Can anyone help me take a SPAM caller to OFCOM?

Ratty_2

Hi All:

Apologies for long post. Grab a beer if you like.

Odd one this. I don't want a loan, and haven't applied for one in something like 10 years. In fact, I'm over halfway (mostly thanks to Martin) clearing my £8000 debt on my own.

However...

Somehow, a company calling themselves UCS keep spam calling me to discuss my "loan application". I have reason to believe the call centre is NOT in the UK, and somehow they are calling on my private mobile, which is never, ever, EVER posted anywhere on t'internet to avoid such calls. In fact, if I thought hard about it, I could probably track down the 50 or so people that have the number.

I have asked them very nicely not to call as I'm not interested, but they keep doing so. I'll get a spate of calls, then a few weeks' rest, then a few more, and so on. I've had another 2 calls this evening (from different employees), and when I asked the second, again, still very politely, if she would mind telling me where they had got this unlisted number from, she hung up.

No more Miss Nice Rat.

I'm now fairly certain they're not Kosher, and I don't want anyone in serious trouble to get sucked in. Has anyone had any dealings with this bunch? Number's withheld, of course, and there's no listing on Google at all. I'm keen to make OFCOM aware of what they're up to, and just wondered if any Moneysavers could help.

I'm happy to be PM'd if you'd rather not post anything here.

Many thanks,

Ratty

pin

Out of interest have you registered your phone with the TPS (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/)?

That would be the first step. Next thing is to contact your mobile phone company, they probably won't do anything, but you have to go through the hoops.

Have a look at the ICTIS (http://www.icstis.org.uk/) that may help you.

Next time they call you, I would try and get a mailing address. Write in (by recorded post) stating you do not want any more calls from them (i.e. you are opting out of their marketing).

Forward a copy of letter to the Information Commissioner (http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/) and tell them you are doing so.

Hope this helps.

Ratty_2

I shall give all this a go, but I don't think they're the sort of company that give you the opportunity to "opt out", since they get there first by hanging up on you! I'm sure they'll ring again, though, and I have a plan...

Thank you very much for your help.

Ratty

pin

You may be able to get your mobile phone company to bar the number? If you are getting very annoyed it may be an idea to contact the police and say they are harrassing you (however I would tell the company first).

savvy

Hi Ratty, have moved your thread to this board as it seems more suitable for the topic, rather than the loans board.
Thanks
savvy

Ratty_2

Thanks savvy - glad to see the link is still there though, as I'd hate anyone to actually be desperate enough to use these folks!

Ratty

trace-j

pin wrote:

You may be able to get your mobile phone company to bar the number? If you are getting very annoyed it may be an idea to contact the police and say they are harrassing you (however I would tell the company first).

Chances are it's the mobile phone company (Orange :mad: O2)who's sold on your number in the first place! You can register your mobile phone number with the telephone preference service the same way as a landline- wont stop text's though.

Ratty_2

Cheers trace-j - unfortunately I'd reached that conclusion earlier today when working out exactly who DID have this number. Probably not worth putting it on TPS, as it's literally in the possession of about 30 individuals or so, but I may have to (or use another free O2 sim hurrah!).

I'm going to play with this lot for a bit. It might be fun, especially as I haven't made a loan application, never will (again) make a loan application, and have asked them something like a dozen times please not to call again!

Ratty

Debt_Free_Chick

hhmmmm .... does the UK regulator (OFCOM) have any jurisdiction over calls that originate outside the UK? I thought not, but wonder if another MSEer could confirm?

SidB_2

Next time they ring, keep them talking, and after a few minutes ask them to hold on as there's someone at the door. Put the phone down and make yourself a cup of tea. At least the company will be paying for the privilege of speaking to you.