topic Re: Marketing calls and text messages in Off-Topic

Marketing calls and text messages

gemz4the1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:59:01 GMT

The number of random marketing calls I get has gradually gone up the last few years and now its a handful per week. Now there's marketing texts as well. I am sick of getting text messages about putting in a claim for a car crash which I never had!

I contacted O2 about it and they suggested that I put my name and number on a government register so I went on the site and filled the details in and it says that within 28 days I should begin to receive less marketting calls/text messages and then after 28 days the calls should stop.

I have blocked the number using the new iOS 7 feature, however I am finding that many marketing companies are using alternative numbers, usually 1 or 2 digits different. It is getting a bit annoying and I shouldn't have to keep blocking numbers. Some of them are now calling with unknown/blocked numbers and so they cannot be blocked. I generally do not answer unknown/blocked numbers now. With the number I have, I have tried to call many of them to explain that I do not want them to call me anymore, but it says they do not allow incoming calls.

However, I am finding that I am still getting the same amount of calls, if not more. Has anyone else had this experience? Or do you have any suggestions on what I can do?

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

MI5 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:51:32 GMT

It's the scurge of modern society I'm afraid... Other than TPS there's not much else you can do, but do follow their advice about dealing with persistent callers - They do prosecute where they can.

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:52:20 GMT

Very annoying, isn't it?!

I've had a similar problem, at least one call a day and text messages.

Normally when you get that type of text, you can text STOP, that helped me.

When it comes to calls, I don't usually pick up, but when I do, I ask politely to be removed from their data base. Seems to work, for me anyway.

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

gemz4the1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:53:17 GMT

TPS is the site that I went on to in order to opt out of the marketing. It's been about 3 months now and I haven't seen any decline at all

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

MI5 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:54:29 GMT

Any UK based companies are obliged to respond to "Stop" messages, however, foreign based ones do not and sometimes it simply alerts then to an active phone number and you get even more.... So, just make sure it is a UK based company before texting STOP.

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

gemz4the1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:54:55 GMT

I replied STOP to a text message once and 2 minutes later the number called me. Apparently, as I replied to their number, even though I was replying to ask them to stop contacting me, I was apprently allowing them to continue contacting me. Makes no sense I know!

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

MI5 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:55:31 GMT

@gemz4the1 wrote:
TPS is the site that I went on to in order to opt out of the marketing. It's been about 3 months now and I haven't seen any decline at all

Make a note of the numbers and the times and report them to TPS - That is the only way they can build up a case against these companies.

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

gemz4the1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:00:18 GMT

Good idea MI5 - thank you

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

MI5 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:01:51 GMT

Good luck.....

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

Bambino — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:02:42 GMT

If you are completely fed up with all the calls and texts, as much of a hassle it might be, you can request a change of phone number, which O2 will do once for you for free.

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

MI5 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:08:51 GMT

Just make sure you opt out of all marketing texts from O2 or else you'll end up with your new number on another list 😞

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

gemz4the1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:11:11 GMT

Bambino i have considered changing my number, however I have had this number for so many years and a lot of people have it so it would be too much hassle to change it.

I guess I will just have to put with the annoying calls and text messages.

Thank you all for your help

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

perksie — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:29:28 GMT

Some advice from O2 (it says kids but the adult version is down, it's the same really):

http://www.o2.co.uk/parents/nuisancecalls

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

adamtemp64 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 08:06:11 GMT

my little quide in the monthly faq http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/Are-you-fed-up-with-spam-calls-and-texts-Follow-these-steps-to/m-p/386364#M37293

Re: Marketing calls and text messages

gemz4the1 — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 23:25:31 GMT

Thanks adamtemp64 - that's very helpful!