Mail readers reveal despair at hounding by telephone
The Mail’s investigation sparked a huge outcry among readers who say they are bombarded with calls from charities – despite being on the official no- call register or specifically asking not to be contacted.
Dozens got in touch yesterday saying the government register, the TPs, was ‘a waste of time’. They described how they are pestered by phone up to 12 times a day – despite opting out of calls with the service.
here we print a selection of their comments. Alison Sian Scadding, Dudley, West Midlands: ‘My 72-year- old mother gets about 8-10 calls a day even though she is on the TPs register. she doesn’t answer her phone anymore . . . it is really getting her down now.’ Angela Ward, Hertfordshire: ‘i held a Macmillan girls’ night in to raise some money. The charity then never left me alone . . . phoned twice a day. i asked nicely to be removed from the list the calls still continued until i really lost my temper . . . it puts me off holding any charity event again!’ Julie Gormley, Worcester: ‘i registered my mum with the Telephone Preference service but lots still slip through the net, and they seem unable to do anything about it. after i got her a phone that blocks these calls, i went round one day and there were 19 unanswered calls on there. This should be llegal.’ Shirley King, UK: ‘i was called by a charity – and to say that the lady on the phone was aggressive is an understatement. in the end after trying to take me on a guilt trip, i put the phone down on her. We are on the government Telephone Preference scheme – it is not working, as this was one of many calls.’ Lee Holderness, UK: ‘sick of the calls. i’m registered on the Telephone Preference service but still get calls. Usually comes up with international. so no name or number to be able to report.’ Michele Fudge, Sheffield: ‘We registered with the TPs. still ge t harassed. how do they get our numbers in the first place? Needs to be looked at by our government.’ Ronald Paraman, Blackwood, South Wales: ‘i too am registered with the telephone preference service and still get calls about charities, PPi, double glazing, you name it.’