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The Knowledge - The Resource - Consumer Information

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Citizen's Advice Bureau
Helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice, and by influencing policymakers.
W: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Safe Home Ordering Protection Scheme(SHOPS)
SHOPS, the Safe Home Ordering Protection Scheme (formerly known as MOPS, the Mail Order Protection Scheme) protects the consumer when buying directly from advertisements and catalogues inserted in the National Newspapers.
18a King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF
T: 01628 641 930
F: 01628 637 112
E: enquiries@shops-uk.org.uk
W: www.shops-uk.org.uk
Which? Online
Independent service with the potential to save its readers pounds. Consumer information online, as well as internet access provider.
Which? Ltd, Customer Services, Castlemead, Gascoyne Way, Hertford SG14 1LH, UK
T: 01992 822 800
F: 020 7770 7485
E: which@which.co.uk
W: www.which.net
Overview of the law on contacting people
Be aware of the laws about contacting people. Some people may have registered under the Mail/Telephone/Fax Preference Service (MPS, TPS and FPS). For example:
  • It is unlawful to send an unsolicited SMS marketing message to an individual.
  • It is unlawful to make unsolicited direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not want to receive such calls.
  • It is unlawful to send an individual an unsolicited sales and marketing fax without prior permission. Businesses have the opportunity to register fax numbers on which they do not wish to receive direct marketing faxes.
  • If your company uses fax marketing, remember that you are legally obliged to ensure you do not fax any number which has registered either on the FPS or with you directly, not to receive direct marketing faxes.
  • Whenever people fill out a coupon or give you their address details, you are legally obliged to give them the option to say they do not wish you to pass their details on to other companies. So if you are thinking that you would like to be able to pass on their details, remember include an opt-out tick box. Or ask them in so many words when they ring in whether they would like to receive mailings from other parties. In Better Business magazine's experience, most will say, 'Yes! I do want to receive such mail.'
  • You cannot transmit an e-mail marketing message to someone unless they have consented to receive the mail, or they are existing customers. Even then, you must have an unsubscribe option within each communication. The difficulty lies in e-mailing your prospects, unless they have specifically 'opted in'.
Junk faxes
The Fax Preference Service is a central opt out register. Businesses and individuals can choose not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing faxes. It is a legal requirement that companies do not sen d such faxes to numbers registered on the FPS.

The service is aimed at businesses, since as individuals have protection under the law and should not receive sales and marketing faxes unless they have given prior permission. 'Individual' here includes consumers at the residential addresses, sole traders, and except in Scotland, partnerships. However, if individuals also wish to register on the FPS they may do so.

It is free to register.

If your company uses fax marketing, you are legally obliged to ensure you do not fax any number which has registered either on the FPS or with you directly, not to receive direct marketing faxes.
DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS, UK
T: 020 7291 3330
F: 020 7323 4226
E: fps@dma.org.uk
W: www.fpsonline.org.uk
Junk mail
Can I stop junk mail coming through my letter box? The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a non profit organisation and its main objective has been to encourage good relations between the Direct Mail industry and the general public.

Use of the Consumer File by list-owners and users is a requirement of the British Codes of Advertising & Sales Promotion administered by the Advertising Standards Authority, as well as a condition of the Direct Marketing Association's Code of Practice.

It is free to register.
DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS, UK
T: 020 7291 3310
F: 020 7323 4226
E: mps@dma.org.uk
W: www.mpsonline.org.uk
Junk mail - mailing list
How do I get my name removed from mailing lists?
W: www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailinglist.html
Junk telesales calls
The Telephone Preference Service helps to ensure your telephone number is no longer available to telesales organisations.

It is against the law to make unsolicited direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not want to receive such calls. You can register your wish not to receive junk calls by contacting companies directly and asking them not to call, you or you can register with a central register - the TPS, which is free.

CorporateTPS The Corporate Telephone Preference Service is now available to corporate subscribers to register the telephone numbers on which they do not wish to receive unsolicited direct marketing calls. If you are making direct marketing calls to businesses click on this link for information on how you can comply with the new legal obligations.
DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS, UK
T: 020 7291 3320
F: 020 7323 4226
E: tps@dma.org.uk
W: www.tpsonline.org.uk
Junk txts to mobile phones
The Telephone Preference Service can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers. However, note that this will prevent the receipt of live marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. This is because under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2004, it is unlawful to send an unsolicited sales and marketing text message.

Telemarketing companies who send SMS messages need your prior permission. There is no obligation therefore for companies sending SMS messages to people who have agreed to receive them, to screen against the TPS file. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved.

If you have found The Resource useful, why not talk to us about including it on your own web site? Call us on 0191 461 8000 or e-mail enquiries@better-business.co.uk