STOP spam calls & texts How to stop the junk, incl free no cold callers sign

How to stop junk calls to mobiles & landlines

It is illegal for UK companies to call any individual who has indicated they don't want the calls.

To do this, you simply join the Telephone Preference Service register. It takes about 28 days after registering for calls to be stopped, including both automated messages and live calls.

• Web: TPS Online
  (you can also sign up to the Mail Preference Service (see below) at the same time on the StayPrivate website).

• Phone: 0800 398 893

The calls it won't stop

This won't stop all calls. If you're being plagued by competition calls, sometimes these come from random number generators which they call lots of numbers in the hope that some get through. The best thing to do is write the number down and then complain to the regulator PhonePayPlus (it used to be called Icstis) to get it blocked.

What about overseas calls?

It's also possible you'll receive commercial calls from companies based outside the UK. Little can be done to stop these and they can be annoying and frustrating. The best thing to do is not engage in a discussion. Some MoneySavers suggest pretending you don't speak English. See ideas and discuss Ways to stop overseas sales calls.

Another way to avoid sales calls at home is to set up a free VOIP telephone number. Read MoneySaver Thenotsowyzewun's short guide on How to avoid nuisance calls.

NEVER pay to block these calls

There are reports of companies setting themselves up with names similar to the Telephone Preference Service and offering to block marketing calls for a fee.

There is no need to pay. Do it right and it is ALWAYS free. If you get a call from someone asking for personal details or payment to complete a registration, hang up and inform the real TPS (read more on the TPS website).

How to stop silent calls

If you're getting silent calls, which can be generated by automatic dialling equipment in call centres, you can register with the Silent Call-Gard service, but you need to renew it every 12 months.

This adds you to a database used by the major telemarketing companies which use predictive diallers, so should cut the number of silent calls.

If the calls continue, you can complain to Ofcom. Here's what to do:

• Step 1: After the call, dial 1471 and see if you can get the number.
• Step 2: If the number is withheld, note the time and date of the call and contact your provider's nuisance call department, eg, BT's Nuisance Call Advice Line, Sky Nuisance Calls Advice.
• Step 3: Complain to Ofcom online.

Ofcom can fine the company up to £2m if it sees fit - but the money goes to the Treasury. Ofcom doesn't give compensation.

How to stop unwanted mail

There are two different types of junk mail we tend to receive. Both can be stopped, although this is not a legal right. It depends on whether the letters have your name and address on or if they're just distributed by Royal Mail.

Addressed mail through the post

All members of the Direct Marketing Association agree to a code of practice not to send junk mail to any individual who has indicated they don't want it. To stop the junk, simply join the Mail Preference Service register. It takes up to four months for the service to take full effect, although you should notice a reduction in mail before then.

• Web: The easiest (and cheapest way) is MPS Online

• Phone: 0845 703 4599

Unaddressed leaflets and mail

Other common types of junk are leaflets, flyers and other unaddressed post which is delivered by the Royal Mail. It's possible to opt out of this too, although it does affect all unaddressed items as Royal Mail is not able to know which items are wanted and which are not. It takes about six weeks for the items to stop being delivered and may only last for six months.

• Post: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Out, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX

• Email: optout@royalmail.com and you'll then be sent a form

• Web : Door to Door opt out

For door-to-door leaflet drops, some MoneySavers have suggested creating your own sign with nifty website Online-Sign.

Stop calls & mail to deceased family

There's nothing more distressing than getting calls and mail for a loved one that's passed away. There are measures to stop this, here's how:

• Stop mail: Register for the Bereavement Register and Deceased Preference Service. Or to stop baby-related mail, register with MPS Baby.

• Stop calls: Register your number with TPS Online

Sadly those won't stop any marketing calls opted into by your deceased family member. For those, you'll have to ask the company to take them off the list.

How to stop cold callers

There’s nothing more frustrating than people knocking on your door when you don’t want to be sold things. Remember, you don't have to let them in; but there are other protections too.

• Energy sales staff must obey ‘no cold caller' signs

  Energy sales people are rife, promising to save you money (outrageously, some even say they’re backed by ‘Martin Lewis’ or this site). It's actually the worst way to switch energy - do it right via the Cheap Gas & Elec guide.

  In 2010, after pressure from Consumer Focus and Trading Standards, the big six energy companies agreed their sales people would not knock on doors with 'no cold caller' signs (get a free one below).

  In October 2011 this officially became part of the EnergySure Code of Practice, though the policy was already active, with this new term:

  7.4.3 (b) not call on any premises where there is a message prominently displayed in the form of a visible, clearly worded and unambiguous notice indicating that a consumer does not wish to receive uninvited doorstep sales callers.

  Therefore if the cold caller persists, note down their name and employee number and report them to the company.

While the print-out is colour, it's designed for easy printing in black & white too.

Where to stick it?

The best place is on your front door, but as it's a print-out the colour may run. You could tape over the small one, or put it in a clear plastic folder and stick that.

Alternatively if you’ve glass doors, or windows near enough to your front door, stick it on the inside to protect from bad weather.

No cold caller signs are a good way to say no

If you have a no cold caller sign, and someone knocks, you can simply point at it and say, “hmm, please read the sign and go away”.

Tips to protect against any door-to-door seller

• Buy something when a salesperson calls at your home and the Doorstep Selling Regulations mean you have a seven-day cooling off period on all goods you buy over £35.

  If you want to cancel you're entitled to get any money back, including a deposit, after which you need to return any goods in reasonable condition (although you may need to pay for the return delivery).

  Similar rights are available for buying online or by phone. See the Consumer Rights guide for info.

• Remember, you don't have to let them in.

• Ask to see the salesperson's official ID and find out exactly where they're from.

• Don't sign anything, even if they're only offering a quote.

• A trader must advise you in writing that you can cancel any contract. If they don't, they can't hold you to anything in the contract.

How to stop unwanted faxes

These are less of a plague than they used to be as faxes aren't as common as they once were. However, you can opt out of junk here yet again, with (you've probably guessed the name now) the Fax Preference Service register. It takes about 28 days after registering for all to be stopped.

• Web: The easiest (and cheapest way) is FPS Online

• Phone: 0845 070 0702

Try using a PC-based fax machine instead

As an alternative, programs such as eFax free and Faxtastic allow you to receive faxes via your PC. Both give your own special number and your faxes are converted into emails, so even if it is junk there's no need to print it out. These companies hope you'll upgrade to their paid software, which allow you to send faxes.

The number people have to fax you on is an 0870/1 number costing up to 8-10p/minute during the day. Normally I rail against these (see the Say No To 0870 guide), yet as this provides a service, it works well. However, do let non-junk sending people know the cost, as effectively they're subsidising your free fax machine (for similar tools, read the Free Office Software guide).

Also, to keep Faxtastic active you must receive at least one fax in the first seven days of opening an account, and at least one every 90 days thereafter, or you'll lose the allocated fax number and will have to re-register.

How to stop unwanted texts

Spam texts are a modern scourge, plaguing our mobile phones with unwanted adverts often from dodgy companies. But you can fight back, report them, and minimise the number you get.

There are three main types, and the way you deal with each is different. We've done some hardcore research into it, and have a full separate guide to Stop Spam Texts.

Stopping spam emails

'How can I stop spam?' is a million dollar question which, sadly, has no million dollar answer. There isn't really a solution that works perfectly.

Think carefully about how much you block

Blocking spam is a balance. There are many software packages that help to do it, but ultimately it's a trade off between losing legitimate emails (like Martin's Money Tips weekly email!) if they're incorrectly filtered, or keeping more email and having to manually delete spam.

Technology is a quickly evolving entity and as such new ways to generate spam are always being developed, making it difficult to keep on top of. Remember, spam works. Someone, somewhere is clicking on it - even if it's just one in a million people, it may mean they earn money.

The best way to start deleting spam is by using the tools available from your own e-mail provider; spam filters and rules are reasonably effective at blocking spam. There are also free 'mail washing' programmes you can use, as explained in detail in the Free Antivirus Software guide. You can also discuss tips and impacts with other MoneySavers in the Techie Stuff forum board.