Stop nuisance marketing calls and report them

The short version

• If you don't want a company's marketing calls, tell it to stop. It must then stop making marketing calls to you.
• Register your number for free with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). 28 days after you register, companies can't make marketing calls to you from a real person unless you've agreed to get their calls.
• A company can't play you a recorded marketing call unless you've agreed to get its calls.
• If the calls carry on, report them to the Information Commission.

What the law says

The law on marketing calls protects you if you get marketing calls on a landline or mobile in the UK.

A company can only play you a recorded marketing call if you've already told it you agree to get its calls. This applies whether or not your number is registered with the TPS.

A company must not make a live marketing call to you (one from a real person) if:

• you've told it not to call you
• your number has been on the TPS list for at least 28 days, unless you've told that company you've agreed to get its calls

If you've agreed to get a company's calls, you can change your mind at any time. Once you tell the company, it must stop making marketing calls to you.

A company making a marketing call must not hide its number. It must show either the number it's calling from or another number you can contact it on.

The company must also tell you its name. A recorded call must also give an address or a free phone number. On a live call, you can ask for these.

A company can only make a marketing call about making a compensation claim if you've agreed to get its calls. A company can only make a marketing call about pensions if you've agreed to get its calls, or you're already its client and would expect these calls. These rules apply whether or not you're on the TPS.

If you keep getting marketing calls

Tell the company you don't want any more marketing calls from it.

Register your number with the Telephone Preference Service for free. You can register a landline or a mobile. The TPS won't stop calls from a company you've already agreed to get calls from, so tell that company directly to stop.

Most smartphones and many landline phones let you block a number. Your phone provider might also offer call blocking, but some providers charge for it.

If you get silent calls or calls that cut off when you answer

If these calls keep happening, complain to Ofcom about silent calls. Give the caller's name and number if you know them, how often the calls come and how long they've been going on.

If you think the call is a scam

Hang up. Don't press any buttons or give any personal or bank details. If you've already given your bank details, contact your bank or card provider straight away.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report it to Report Fraud, the service for reporting fraud and cyber crime. If you live in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

What you can do

Tell the company to stop making marketing calls to you, and register your number with the TPS. Keep a note of each call, including the company's name, the number and the date.

If the company keeps calling after you've told it to stop, report the calls to the Information Commission. If you're relying on the TPS, wait until your number has been registered for 28 days before you report a live call.

The Information Commission uses reports to investigate the companies behind the calls, and it can fine them.

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service if you're not sure what to do next. In Scotland, get consumer help from Advice Direct Scotland. In Northern Ireland, contact Consumerline.