where do all these random companies get my number from?

Question

I just got a phone call from a company asking about whether i wanted to set up a will. I'm only 22 and unemployed without a house or anything much, so where would they get the idea that i would want a will and where would they even get my number from, it isn't in the phone book, i live at my parents.

Answer 1

there is numerous places to access lists of numbers... Make sure you register with the TPS (telephone preference service) and then they shouldn't do it anymore. And if they do and you complain to the TPS they will be charged.


Hope this helps to give you a peaceful life...

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

They share phone numbers with one-another .. you have to get your number off the list ..

1) make sure you are 'ex-directory'
2) Register with the TPS (telephone preference service) = link below)
3) Don't give anyone your number unless you have some reason why you should WANT them to call. On orders, guarantees, application forms etc, always give your mobile no. (never give a land line) .. land-line calls are virtually free but they still have to pay a few pence for mobile calls ..
4) Always tick the 'don't contact me' box (even if it says 'we will only share your details with 'other members of the group')


When they call, always ask to have your name/number removed from their 'list'. If they won't agree to do this, ask for name of caller and the Companies 'registered address'. When they ask why you want this, say 'to report you to TPS for illegal cold-calling' ..

Eventually they will leave you alone.


Alternative approach ..
Ask for mountains of information / application forms / samples etc to be sent via the mail (they have to pay for this) .. and then send it all back in their Reply Paid envelopes ..

Ask them to send a salesman /consultant / whatever & make appointments for times of the day when you know the house will be empty ..

If they ring again, give some unbelivable excuse & set another appointment for some other time you will not be there .. eventually even double glazing sales get the message :-) :-)

Answer 4

Telephone call centers get their phone list from the city directory ( all phone numbers, listed or unlisted in regular phone books, ) and the regular phone book.
Some are also known for paying for cell phone companies phone lists as well.

If you don't want to get these calls you must say directly to the person on the other end please take me off of your phone list. Make sure they know that you know what this means. This means that you should receive no calls from this company or call center for one full year starting the date you spoke to them. This is a law in Canada and as far as I know the Untied States and they have to obey.

Answer 5

BT phone book. yell.com etc, even if you are on the TPS list it doesn't matter. Paragraph 3 on letter from TPS tells you that if the same company phones you more than 3 times you can ask for their name and address and raise a court action towards them, do you know the name of the company that phoned you? - if you go to the bother of court action you are the one that has to pay for it, the best thing to do is get your number blocked to unable them to call you by withholding the number.

Answer 6

Even if you're ex-directory, they 'buy' your contact details from other companies you may well have registered with in the past - that's why whenever you request information by post or online there is usually a small box at the bottom of the coupon or the screen in the small print asking you to tick it if you do not wish to be contacted by third parties. It would be better if you left it blank not to be contacted by their 'carefully selected third parties' but if you don't tick it, let alone if you actually notice it, you will then be contacted!

Hope that answers your query.

Answer 7

Once one of these sort of companies has your name and phone you will get calls. Have you ever filled in a shopping questionnaire or poll enquiry. The information on these things are sold on to other companies who contact you and they in turn sell your data to someone else and so it goes on it does not take long for you name and number to be on dozens of phone or mailing lists .

Answer 8

i know, its so annoying isn't it. i got a call off someone about paying insurance for if i ever got breast cancer, i said i wasn't interested and she said "well what if you got cancer" so i said that i would worry about it if it ever happened and hopefully it wont and she replied "well thats not a very good attitude is it?"....i put the phone down and i was fuming
i really wish they would just stop phoning my house, cos i don't want a new mobile phone or cheaper insurance or electric or gas or anything else these sales people are trying to sell... i just want to pick up the phone and not be hassled

Answer 9

surely you must give out your number? on websites and services you join? well somewhere along the way, some greedy business owner or dishonest employee gathered a bunch of customer files and SOLD THEM! sometimes this is only phone number with matching first and last name, but it can contain loads of info! Some foreign callcentres are notorious for leaking info to the market. they'll pass details around that even include address, bank details, you name it! They will then pass them to sales people with unhealthy amounts of nerve that will start ringing you. my advise? give them hell! insult their mothers and daughters!! No mercy!! If they say "heeeey i'm only doing my job!" tell them to get another one!

Answer 10

some dial numbers randomly others bye you details from companies of which you are customer or entered a competitions with if you have a look on the forms for most comps there is a little box you have to tick if you don't want that company to sell your details