Unwanted calls: Is the solution out there?

It is a uniting factor. Something most are subjected to but few are happy with. For the elderly, those living alone and the vulnerable, telephone calls from unwanted and unknown sources are more than a mere nuisance. They are a nightmare.

Despite efforts to eradicate the problem, it can often seem as though little progress has been made. As the population ages and more of us are living alone, it’s becoming ever more of a concern.

In recent years there have been a variety of strategies put in place to allow help those wishing to shake off the cold call epidemic. However, according to the BBC many of these ‘so called solutions’ are simply not effective.

Some of the options available are well known, while there are also some newer technological advances also worth considering.

Current options

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is perhaps one of the better known ways to stop the calls. Registering for this service is free and it is the official register in the UK for those wanting to opt-out.

Alongside this service runs the Silentcall Guard, aiming to reduce the silent calls received when companies used automated calling systems. Unfortunately there are still a host of companies and individuals who either are simply scammers, are based abroad or are carrying out legitimate market research that this service can’t prevent calling you.

Another simple and free option is to go ‘ex directory’ – the theory being that if the companies can’t find you, they can’t call you. Again, this can work to some degree, but isn’t a fail-safe option.

Keeping the name out of the sales call listing is a simple way of avoiding cold calls. In many cases you will find that at some point in the often distant past you have signed up for a new service, or answered a questionnaire and opted in (or not opted out) of having your details used for marketing purposes either within that one company, or potentially being handed over to other companies as well.

It is therefore always worth checking what boxes you are ticking when engaging any new agreement, and ideally also going through previous arrangements and contacting the companies directly if needs be.

Another way to stop the unwanted calls from disturbing you is screening the phone calls. There is a caller display in every phone. Never receive calls from numbers you cannot recognize. If there is a legitimate caller on the other side of the call, he will definitely leave a message for you in case you do not answer the phone.

All these strategies taken together can certainly help decrease the unwanted calls that you receive, though of course they all take time and effort and for some people aren’t really an option. If you are elderly or vulnerable in some way, it is often not as simple as ‘just becoming ex directory’ or ‘just contacting the TPS’.

Emerging technologies

So in recent years there have been some technological advances to aid in protecting against cold calls, particularly when some of the other options may not be possible. These call blocking devices such as the one displayed here www.callblocker.co.uk are relatively easy to use, generally just plugging into your existing phone and allowing you to accepted wanted calls and easily reject or ignore those calls whose origins are unknown or known and unwanted.

There are a variety of strategies and technologies available that all help reduce the amount of cold calls received. It is worth considering the most appropriate choices for the individual when deciding which options to take, how easy they are to implement, use and the peace of mind that they offer.

Tags: Telephone line, Unwanted calls

Category: Family Finances