The government has announced it will ban cold calls selling investments or pensions (but not personal injury claims?) as many of these are from criminals, but the change won't happen immediately, and it will still be impossible to stop calls from abroad or determined fraudsters. Here's how to protect yourself.
# If someone you don't know phones, texts or emails offering any sort of financial deal: put down the phone, forward the text to your network operator (see below) then delete it, or delete the email.
# Report cold calls or spam texts to the Information Commissioner's Office https://ico.org.uk/concerns/marketing/spam-texts-and-nuisance-calls - they will not investigate every case but reporting helps build up evidence for future use.
# Forward spam texts to your network operator on 7726: you may need to put 8 (for Vodafone) or 3 (Three) before the number.
# If you suspect an attempted fraud, tell actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040; they may or may not take action.
# Registering your landline and mobile with the Telephone Preference Service tpsonline.org.uk will stop legitimate cold calls. It is free and easy to do but you will need an email address. No email address? Call 0345 070 0707 (standard call rates). Firms calling once you are on the register are breaking the law, so if cold calls continue, always report them.
# A call or text may ask you to call back on a number that will cost you a lot. Do not respond. Report it to the Phone-paid Services Authority http://psauthority.org.uk - which also has a useful number checker for unidentified numbers on your phone bill.
# Unexpected call from a firm (e.g. insurer, bank) you have dealt with in the past? Hang up, wait for a few minutes, then call on a number on your own paperwork from that company. Alternatively, ask the caller to write to you but don't give your address!
Paul Lewis, in Radio Times 10-16 Dec. 2016.
