Genealogy Chat

There are websites full of ideas on how to wind up junk callers but I can't be bothered. They usually hang up when you mention TPS. If you are registered with the TPS then always make a complaint about the call. The TPS is as much use a chocolate teapot in acting on complaints of course so then complain to the Information Commissioner (who is not much more effective). I complained about one call in April and was told that they could not do anything. I then received a second call from the same company so I have complained again but this time I have sent copies to TPS, Information Commissioner, OFCOM and my MP. I founda match on the junk callers telephone number using a websearch so I got them removed from the webpage that mentioned it - I am suspicious that they were receiving a grant from a regional 'enterprise' organisation! I don't worry too much about junk mail as it helps subsidise the Royal Mail, it all goes in the bin, fire or shredder. MB

I like those ideas!!! <evil grin>

I registered with the mailing preference service AND the telephone equivalent. It took about 3 months to kick in, but now we aren't bothered at all. nell

The other thing you can do when giving any company your phone number (I never do) is to request no mailings or telesales. You can also ask if they pass on numbers to others. I dont mind mail but phone calls really annoy me.

Just got this. Thought it was good. Telemarketers and Junk Mail This deserves to be forwarded on.......... Telemarketers (1) When they introduce themselves, just say 'Hold On, Please...' Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming for them. Then when you eventually hear the phone company's 'beep-beep-beep' tone, you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset. These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting. (2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end? This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone. This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a 'real' sales person to call back and get someone at home. What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialled the call and it kicks your number out of their system. Junk Mail When you get 'ads' enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these 'ads' with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away. When you get those 'pre-approved' letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope. Most of these come with return postage-paid. Send the empty envelope back or return it full of advertising material. It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The banks and credit card companies are currently getting a lot of their own junk back in the mail. We need to OVERWHELM them. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they're paying for it...Twice! Let's help keep our postal service busy. Germaine x