In thinking that these phone calls are scams?

[SolidGoldBrass]

I've had two or three calls over the past couple of days from 'finance' companies who clearly have my name, landline and mobile number. One, having rung me, put me on hold for a while so I hung up. THe other one, sounding like he was reading from a script, started telling me he could get half my debts written off.

I do have debts, which are being paid off via a debt management plan. COuld the DMP company have sold my details onto someone else or soemthing? Is anyone else having this sort of thingat the moment?

TPS only prevents you from getting cold calls. The majority of these calls will be from opt in data.

Please don't hate all of the cold callers - I know it's a huge pita but sometimes people need work and have little choice.

I lasted less than a week but in fairness I was lied to from the start about what it entailed and once I realised I quickly told them to FTFO.
Anyway - yy to they simply aren't bothered that you registered with TPS. If you've asked them to remove your number during a call - ask for the company name again and their name, it'll make them more likely to do it if they think you could complain.

STOP answering surveys.
As soon as you hear the words ' I'm not going to try and sell you anything'
or ' Don't worry I'm not asking for your bank account no nor any payments' or even worse 'I simply want to help you'
You can bet your life that the survey you're about to begin, often out of politeness, will result in you being bombarded with further calls from companies in the subject that you are being surveyed about.
Most things don't matter whether you give a yes or no answer, you'll be called anyway.
Cold caller - 'Do you have any saving accounts'
You - 'No'
Details will be passed to companies offering them.
If you answer 'yes thanks I already have'
Details will still be passed to companies trying to offer better ones.
Cold caller gets paid regardless (depends on how the company pay staff)

If you've already asked to be removed but still receive calls - then report it. In the meantime while waiting for them to stop - every time you receive one say ' oh yes, I'm very interested, just hold for 1 min please while I then go make a cuppa, cook dinner, watch TV etc..
It works much better than the usual fuck off! They won't hold long when they realise you aren't coming back - they're targeted by the number of surveys they do hourly :)

Thank you, frogslegs - good post.

I've just had IPSOS/MORI on the phone asking me for my views on Scottish independence. That was fun! (I'm a rock sold "no")