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PPI calls are proving to be more than a menace to local people
AS THE number of marketing calls and ‘PPI calls’ increase so do the number of complaints from those who find them a nuisance.
Dispatch and Herald readers have contacted us in their droves to complain about these calls, which are usually automated and usually offering help in claiming for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI).
On our Facebook page you shared your thoughts, here are just a selection of them.
Lynsey Smalley said: “It’s a nightmare! I get bombarded with them. If it’s not the house ‘phone it’s the mobile. Now I’m even getting e-mails and they won’t take no for an answer. I have also told them we are with TPS and they say sorry we will remove you from our calling list, then not even half an hour later the same company phones back!”
Stephen Millar agreed, he said: “The situation is getting beyond the joke now. I had one phoning my house phone and another phoning my mobile at the same time the other day!”
Sarah Robson wondered where these companies got her details from, she said: “They call me and I’ve never had a loan or credit card. Oh, and I’ve never had an accident and they call me [about that] too. I wonder who has sold my details more than wonder why they call me.”
Linsay McGechie added: “I am sick fed up of these, I can get at least three a day. You used to be able to contact the telephone preference people but it doesn’t work any more. God knows where they get your number from.”
Some felt that the time of day for these calls could be inappropriate, Lianne Milne said: “I get calls at 7, 8 even 9 p.m. sometimes.
“Why do they feel the need to harass people at that time of the night? I have caller ID so if it’s a number I don’t recognise I answer then hang up immediately.”
A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “Advice from trading standards is that modern marketing calls are often made through automatic diallers, sometimes with a recorded pre-message using technology such as Skype.
“The only sure way of blocking these calls is to get caller ID switched on for your telephone line and installing a small piece of kit which builds up a list of unwanted numbers and does not allow them through. This costs around £40.
“Another device on the market can manage which calls are allowed, records conversations and logs all incoming and outgoing calls.
“Both devices will block calls from call centres, exchanges, Skype and foreign numbers, as well as specific numbers. This is more expensive, retailing at between £100-£130.
“For further information, contact an electronics retailer or for advice, speak to trading standards officers via the council’s ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778.”
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Weather for Forfar
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 13 C
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