Under Government legislation introduced on 1st May 1999 and replaced on 11th December 2003 by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to make unsolicited direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not want to receive such calls.

Definition of the act
It is unlawful for someone in business (including charities and other voluntary organisations) to make a call to individuals (including sole traders, partnerships and small businesses) who have indicated they do not wish to receive direct marketing calls or have registered with the TPS or CTPS.

What is less well known is that the act is very clear about contacting existing customers, in that before you make a call to any existing, or potential new customer, who has not given express permission to contact them, you should screen their telephone number against the TPS ot CTPS. This must be done every 28 days.

Who needs to comply with the regulations ?
In a nut shell, anyone who makes direct marketing telephone calls to individuals. Both 'cold' lists and customer lists should be cleaned against the TPS and CTPS before calls are made.

How often does the data need to be cleaned?
The legislation states as frequently as is necessary to ensure that nobody protected by the regulations, who has registered within 28 days or more previously, is contacted however in practice every 28 days is the minimum frequency for cleaning.

How many are registered?
The file is added to daily with an average of 2,000 records the TPS file contains over 12 million telephone numbers.

If you want to know more about the Telephone Preference Service File or any of the other cleaning or bureau services, please CONTACT US TODAY