How to shield yourself

TO stop a charity pestering you, you log on to fundraisingpreference.org.uk.

First, you write the name of the charity, or its official charity number. Then you select whether you want to ban it from contacting you by phone, post, text, or email – or all four.

The website then asks for your name and address, the minimum information the charity will need to find and remove you from their database.

You can only block up to three charities at a time. But they will generally only have your details if you have previously donated or agreed to receive marketing from them, so it is rare to be contacted by dozens at a time.

It is also possible to block charities on behalf of a family member or a friend. The FPS then contacts them to tell them their details have been entered on the system.

Those who do not use computers can phone the FPS helpline on 0300 303 3517. If charities persist in contacting you, you can report them to the Information Commissioner’s Office, which can issue fines of up to £25,000 for misuse of data.