How to take yourself off lists of local phone numbers

If your telephone number is listed in local phone directories or finds its way onto a national list of approved telemarketing numbers then you may find that you are inundated with calls at inconvenient times. In this article we'll show you how to make sure that your number is removed from these lists and how to avoid appearing on them in the first place.

Getting your number removed

There are generally two places that people can find your telephone number; in a phone directory and as part of a telemarketing campaign list. Here's how to remove your number: Phone directory
Whilst it is helpful to a company or local business to be found in local numbers directories, it can impinge on privacy and even quality of life for private individuals. If you operate a business from home, try and arrange for a separate phone line or freephone number. Have this number added to your local business listing service and company directories. To have your personal number removed from phone book, this is known as ex-directory. The best way to arrange for this is to contact British Telecom on their dedicated ex-directory phone number, 0800 800 150. Alternatively you can sign up for their premium "privacy" service which includes services like caller ID so you can tell who is calling you. Marketing lists
The telephone preference service was a piece of legislation introduced by the British government in 1999. It was updated in 2003 to conform with European privacy laws. By visiting TPSOnline.org.uk, you can remove your number from marketing lists using the online form. As of this point, it is now illegal for companies to contact you directly by telephone. A similar service exists for mail (MPS) and fax (FPS).

Prevention

If you are receiving nuisance phone calls then it is likely that this is because you knowingly or unknowingly approved your telephone, email and postal address for marketing purposes. Whenever you fill out an online survey or enter a competition, always be sure to tick the box that allows you to opt out of marketing communications. Many people simply do not make the association between the seemingly harmless competition they entered six months ago and the nightly, inconvenient tele-marketing calls. Despite all the legislation, some marketing companies still operate outside the law and use numbers which have not been approved for use. When filling in forms, simply do not write down your number unless there is a specific and valid reason. The final option is to avoid a land line altogether. Local calling is now cheap on mobile and virtual telephone services like Skype.