Free 'no cold callers' sign Plus stop spam texts, calls & mail

It's possible to slam the metaphorical door in the face of junk mail, calls, faxes, texts and emails in minutes. Sadly, illegal marketers are much tougher to tackle.

But, with a few basic steps and our free, Trading Standards-approved, "No Cold Callers" sign, you can attempt to block out those desperately trying to flog you stuff. Here's some more info...

stop spam calls to mobiles & landlines

It is illegal for UK companies to call any individual who has indicated they don't want sales calls.

If you don't want to receive marketing calls, join the Telephone Preference Service register. Once registered, it takes about 28 days for calls to be stopped, including live calls.

• Web: TPS Online. It may also stop distressing calls intended for a deceased relative.

• Phone: 0800 398 893

How to stop silent calls

If you're getting silent calls, which can be generated by automatic equipment in call centres, register with the SilentCall-Gard service. You must renew it every 12 months.

It adds you to a database used by the major telemarketing firms, so should cut the number of silent calls.

If the calls continue, you can complain to Ofcom, which can fine companies. Here's what to do:

1. After the call, dial 1471 and see if you can get the number.

2. If the number is withheld, note the time and date of the call and contact your provider's nuisance call department. Try BT's Nuisance Call Advice Line or Sky Nuisance Calls Advice.

3. Complain to Ofcom online. The regulator recently fined phone and broadband provider TalkTalk �750,000 for plaguing customers with silent and abandoned calls. See the TalkTalk fined �750,000 MSE News story for full info.

How to stop unwanted mail

There are two different types of junk mail: letters with your name and address on, or those without but still distributed by Royal Mail. Both can be stopped, but this is not a legal right.

Addressed mail through the post

All members of the Direct Marketing Association agree to a code of practice not to send junk mail to any individual who has indicated they don't want it.

To stop the junk, simply join the Mail Preference Service register. It takes up to four months for the service to take full effect, although you should notice a reduction in mail before then.

• Web: The easiest (and cheapest way) is MPS Online

• Phone: 0845 703 4599

• Stop mail to deceased relatives: Register for the Bereavement Register and Deceased Preference Service. To stop baby-related mail, register with MPS Baby.

Unaddressed leaflets and mail

Other common types of junk are leaflets, flyers and other unaddressed post delivered by Royal Mail. You can opt out of these, but it will affect all unaddressed items. It takes about six weeks for the items to stop arriving, and should last for two years. You'll need to opt out again after this.

• Post: Freepost RSTR-YCYS-TGLJ, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1AA.

• Email: optout@royalmail.com and you'll then be sent a form.

• Web: Door-to-door opt out

For door-to-door leaflet drops, some MoneySavers have suggested using nifty website Online-Sign to create your own sign.

Top tip!
If you want a one-stop option for reducing unsolicited mail and paper directories, try Junk Buster.

The online widget lets you contact up to three junk mail opt-out schemes and opt out of receiving the three main paper directories delivered door-to-door in the UK, by filling in just one form.

How to stop cold callers

There's nothing more frustrating than people knocking on your door when you don't want to be sold things. Remember, you don't have to let them in.

FREE Trading Standards-approved
Cold Callers sign

Share

To help, we've designed a free-to-print, Trading Standards-approved "no cold callers" sign. While the print-out is colour, it's designed for easy printing in black and white too.

What to do if they keep knocking

It may be a criminal offence for traders (not charities or religious groups) to ignore cold calling signs under the regulations on our sign.

If they persist, complain to the company and to Trading Standards.

Energy sales staff must obey 'no cold caller' signs

Energy salespeople are rife, promising to save you money (outrageously, some even say they're backed by "Martin Lewis" or this site). It's actually the worst way to switch energy - do it right via the Cheap Gas & Elec guide.

In 2010, after pressure from Consumer Focus and Trading Standards, the big six energy companies agreed their salespeople would not knock on doors with 'no cold callers' signs.

In October 2011 this officially became part of the EnergySure Code of Practice, though the policy was already active, with this new term:

7.4.3 (b) not call on any premises where there is a message prominently displayed in the form of a visible, clearly worded and unambiguous notice indicating that a consumer does not wish to receive uninvited doorstep sales callers.

Therefore if the cold caller persists, note down their name and employee number and report them to the company. You may be able to get compensation.

Tips to protect against any door-to-door seller

• Buy something when a salesperson calls at your home and the Doorstep Selling Regulations mean you have a seven-day cooling off period on all goods you buy over �35.

  If you want to cancel, you're entitled to get any money back, including a deposit, after which you need to return any goods in reasonable condition (although you may need to pay for the return delivery).

  Similar rights are available for buying online or by phone. See the Consumer Rights guide.

• Remember, you don't have to let them in.

• Ask to see the salesperson's official ID and find out exactly where they're from.

• Don't sign anything, even if they're only offering a quote.

• A trader must advise you in writing that you can cancel any contract. If they don't, they can't hold you to anything in the contract.

How to stop unwanted faxes

These are less of a plague than they used to be as faxes aren't as common these days. But you can opt out of junk here yet again, with (you've probably guessed the name now) the Fax Preference Service register. It takes about 28 days after registering for all to be stopped.

• Web: The easiest (and cheapest way) is FPS Online

• Phone: 0845 070 0702

Try using a PC-based fax machine instead

Programs such as eFax and Faxtastic allow you to receive faxes via your PC. Both give you a special number and your faxes are converted into emails, so even if it is junk there's no need to print it out. These companies hope you'll upgrade to their paid software, which allow you to send faxes.

The number people have to fax you on is an 0870/1/2 number costing up to 8-10p/minute during the day. Normally we rail against these (see the Say No To 0870 guide), yet as this provides a service, it works well. However, do let non-junk sending people know the cost, as effectively they're subsidising your free fax machine.

Also, to keep Faxtastic active you must receive at least one fax in the first seven days of opening an account, and at least one every 90 days thereafter, or you'll lose the allocated fax number and will have to re-register.

How to stop unwanted texts

Spam texts are a modern scourge, plaguing our mobile phones with unwanted adverts, often from dodgy companies. But you can fight back, report them, and minimise the number you get.

There are three main types, and the way you deal with each is different. We've done some hardcore research into it, and have a full separate guide to help you in Stop Spam Texts.

Stopping spam emails

"How can I stop spam?" is a million-dollar question which, sadly, has no million-dollar answer. There isn't really a solution that works perfectly.

Think carefully about how much you block

Blocking spam is a balance. There are many software packages that help to do it, but ultimately it's a trade off between losing legitimate emails (like the Martin's Money Tips weekly email!) if they're incorrectly filtered, or keeping more emails and having to manually delete spam.

Spammers are often one step ahead of the game, making it very difficult to keep a lid on. Remember, spam works. Someone, somewhere is clicking on it - even if it's just one person in a million, it may mean a spammer makes money.

The best way to start deleting spam is by using the tools available from your own email provider; spam filters and rules are reasonably effective at blocking spam. You can discuss tips with other MoneySavers in the Techie Stuff forum board.

Is it worth junking THEM?

Even if you do everything listed above, it won't be a foolproof solution to junk calls and mail. Yet it's still well worth trying - registering for these services should still reduce the calls and junk mail you receive and it definitely won't increase them.

One good thing: if you're still receiving junk after registering, you know these companies are breaking the law, so they're probably not worth dealing with anyway.

Do remember, though: if you've personally signed up to receive mailings via email or when buying something, you'll have to block these individually.

Stopping junk mail isn't necessarily MoneySaving

You may be surprised to read this, but it's important to say. Unlike phone messages where it's all a load of ridiculous nonsense, junk mail can sometimes work in your favour.

A lot of best buy financial products, such as credit cards, are often only available if you receive them as targeted direct mailings. For example, the longest ever 0% balance transfer card lasting 18 months was a direct mail offer. Yet it's only worth keeping this channel open if you're money-savvy and can sort out the wheat from the chaff.

One final way to get your revenge on junk mailers is to rip up the letter, stuff it in the pre-paid reply envelope and send it back. That way, the sender will have to pay to get its junk back.