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Stop cold callers

Stop spam calls & mail

Nick Durrant
Nick Durrant and Kelvin Goodson
Updated 21 July 2023

It's possible to slam the metaphorical door in the face of junk mail, phone calls, texts and emails in minutes. Sadly there's no perfect route to stop intrusive sales garbage, yet you can minimise it with a few steps, including our Trading Standards-approved 'no cold callers' sign.

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MoneySavingExpert.com will never, ever, EVER cold call you.

MoneySavers often tell us they've had cold callers on their doorstep claiming to represent MSE. 

These people are NOTHING to do with us. We're a consumer help website, here to fight your corner. We don't in any way, shape or form take part in – or even endorse – the practice of cold calling.

We're trying to find out who's making these calls so we can put a stop to them, but to do that we need hard evidence. If you have any, please email us at news@moneysavingexpert.com and tell us what happened.

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Stop spam and silent calls

Cold callers who offer to help claim compensation if you've been injured in an accident are now banned from contacting anyone who has not previously opted in to receiving such calls (before, you had to opt out of receiving these calls). They'll need to check they have the recipient's consent before calling – and companies that break the rules can be fined up to £500,000.

And with regards to those other pesky spam calls (whether automated or live marketing calls), there are a few things you can do to stop them from reaching you.

  • 1. Register with the Telephone Preference Service

    missed call icon

    If you don't want to receive marketing calls, sign up your home phone and mobile to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). It takes about 28 days for calls to stop.

    It's then illegal for firms in the UK to call those who've registered, unless you'd opted in to receive them (including if you ticked the often confusing "allow third parties to contact me" box when filling in an online form).

    TPS may also stop distressing calls intended for a deceased relative.

    How to add your number to the register depends on if it's a mobile or landline:

    • Landlines. Add your landline number via the TPS website, or by calling 0345 070 0707 (it costs the same as a standard landline).

    • Mobiles. Text 'TPS' and your email address (required to verify your identity) to 85095 (this is free of charge to do). Alternatively, you can sign up online or by calling 0345 070 0707.

    Registering won't stop every call

    TPS is a register, not an automatic blocking device. While being on it means you'll no longer receive cold calls from more reputable companies in the UK, it's unlikely to deter rogue firms.

    TPS also won't stop automated messages – no matter how legit the firm is or where it's based. If you're receiving recorded messages and you haven't given prior permission for these, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) on 0303 123 1113. Give it as much info as you can, including the organisation's name (if you've got it), the number the call came from, the date and time, and what they were flogging.

    If you're being plagued by calls that ask you to phone a premium rate number (for example, competitions), complain to regulator Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) - formerly known as PhonepayPlus.

    What about calls from outside the UK?

    Frustratingly, many spam calls originate from outside the UK, and there's little that can be done to stop them. So be firm, but polite, don't engage, just tell them to remove you from their lists, and that you will never buy anything from them.

    It's worth reporting the calls to ICO anyway, as they might be able to do something.

  • 2. BT landline customer? Opt in to its new calls filter

    call filter

    If you're with BT, you can opt in to 'Call Protect', a free service that filters spam calls and stops them getting through to your landline. It protects you in three ways:

    • It blocks numbers on the BT blacklist. BT proactively scans for the worst-offending nuisance callers nationally – Call Protect will automatically divert calls from such blacklisted numbers to your junk voicemail box.

    • You can create a personal blacklist. Add up to 100 numbers to your own list (including the last landline call you received). If many add the same number to their personal blacklists, BT will add it to its own.

    • You can automatically block certain types of caller. Call Protect allows you to divert calls from international numbers, withheld numbers and/or unrecognised numbers too.

    Blocked calls will be directed to a 'junk' voicemail box which you can check (or ignore) to your heart's content – but crucially your phone won't ring at all.

    To opt in for free, call 1572 from your BT landline or sign up via BT's landline features webpage (it can take up to 24 hours to activate). For more info on how to use it, see the BT free spam calls filter MSE News story.

  • 3. Opt out of charity cold calling

    If you're fed up with unsolicited calls, texts, emails and post from charities asking for donations, then there's a service will let you opt out.

    Registering with the Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) will allow you to block fundraising communications from any charity. But you'll need to specify every charity you want to block - you won't be able to simply opt out of all charity contact.

    How do I sign up?

    You can register for the service by entering your name and contact information on the the FPS website, or calling 0300 3033 517.

    You'll then have to identify the specific charities you no longer want to hear from - it's not possible to simply opt out of all charity communications. If you're doing this online, you can search for the charity via its name or registered charity number, which should be displayed on all its promotional material.

    The FPS says you can block a maximum of 10 charities in any one online request, though if you want to block further charities you can submit a new request and this can be done on the same day. Alternatively you can block  up to 20 charities with one phone call.

    See more details on the service to opt out of charity cold calling.

  • 4. How to stop silent calls

    Silent calls, when you pick up and hear nothing, can be generated by automatic equipment in call centres. If you're getting them, there are a few things you can do to:

    1. After the call, dial 1471 and see if you can get the number.

    2. If the number is withheld, note the call's time/date and contact your provider's nuisance call department. Try BT's nuisance calls advice or Sky's nuisance calls advice.

    3. Complain to Ofcom online or call its consumer contact team on 0300 123 3333. The regulator has previously fined phone and broadband provider TalkTalk £750,000 for plaguing customers with silent and abandoned calls.

How to stop unwanted mail

return to sender

There are two different types of junk mail: letters with your name and address on, or those without but still distributed by Royal Mail. Both can be stopped, and if the letters have your name on it, you've got the right to tell the organisation to stop sending them to you. 

If you write to the company, once they receive your letter, they must stop sending you the unwanted mail. There's other ways to stop junk mail too.

  • 1. 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 (MPS) register. It takes up to four months for the service to take full effect, although you should notice it kick in before then.

    Web: The easiest way is MPS Online.

    Phone: 0207 291 3310

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

  • 2. Unaddressed leaflets and mail

    For unaddressed leaflets, flyers and other junk, the Royal Mail has the online door-to-door opt-out, which will stop it delivering to you. Bear in mind this stops all unaddressed items from being delivered, including Government leaflets.

    It takes about six weeks for the items to stop arriving, and should last for two years. You'll need to opt out again after this.

    Post: Print this form and post it to: Freepost ROYAL MAIL CUSTOMER SERVICES

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

    Phone: 0345 266 0858

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

How to stop cold callers to your door

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.

  • 1. FREE Trading Standards-approved 'no cold callers' sign

    To help, we've designed a free-to-print, Trading Standards-approved 'no cold callers' sign. While the print-out is colour, it's designed for easy printing in black and white too. Click on the images below to print them out.

    It may be a criminal offence

    Guidance we've had from Trading Standards says ignoring a sticker may be a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. While it's not been tested in court, a QC agrees so we've added it to our sign. If they knock when they shouldn't, there can be no argument.

    Where to stick it?

    The best place is on your front door, but as it's a print-out, the colour may run. Tape over the small one, or put it in a clear plastic folder and stick that up. Or if you've glass doors, stick it on the inside.

  • 2. No charities or religious groups either... MSE's special 'no cold callers' sign

    When we polled MoneySavers, a huge 42% said charities think no cold caller signs don't apply to them, and 39% said religious groups too.

    If you don't want 'em either, we've special MSE 'no cold callers' signs. If they knock and you open the door, just point at the sign before politely closing it. Note though, these aren't Trading Standards-approved, as they aren't traders.

    no cold-callers sign
    Get the MSE sign (click each link to print):

  • 3. What to do if they keep knocking

    It may be a criminal offence for traders (not charities or religious groups) to ignore cold calling signs under the regulations on our sign.

    If they persist, complain to the company and to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline (03454 04 05 06) – it deals with enquiries and complaints on behalf of Trading Standards.

  • 4. Never switch at the doorstep or on the phone

    Whichever firm is trying to get you to switch energy or another product on your doorstep, the best thing to do is just politely decline.

    If the cold caller persists, note down their name and employee number and report them to the company. You may be able to get compensation.

  • 5. Tips to protect against any door-to-door seller

    • Buy something when a salesperson calls at your home and the Consumer Contracts Regulations mean you have a 14-day cooling off period on all goods you buy over £42.

      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 within 14 days of your cancellation (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.

    • 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.

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FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe

How to stop unwanted texts

Spam texts are a modern scourge, plaguing our mobile phones with unwanted adverts and offers, 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 seperate Stop Spam Texts guide to help.

How to stop 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.

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 MSE's weekly Money Tips Email) if they're incorrectly filtered, or getting more emails and manually deleting spam.

Spammers are often one step ahead of the game, making it very difficult to keep a lid on. Remember, spam works. Someone, somewhere is clicking on it – even if it's just one person in a million, it may mean a spammer makes money.

The best way to start deleting spam is by using the tools available from your own email provider; spam filters and rules are reasonably effective at blocking spam. You can discuss tips with other MoneySavers on the Techie Stuff forum board.

How to stop unwanted faxes

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

Web: The easiest way is via FPS Online.

Phone: 0345 070 0702

Try using a PC-based fax machine instead

Programs such as Faxtastic allow you to receive faxes via your PC. They give you a special number and your faxes are converted into emails, so if it's 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.

With the free version, the number people have to fax you on is an 0872 number, which can be costly from some providers. Normally we rail against these (see our 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.

Also, to keep Faxtastic active you must receive at least one fax every 90 days, or you'll lose your allocated fax number and will have to re-register.

Is it worth junking THEM?

Even if you do everything listed above, it won't be a foolproof solution to junk calls and mail. Yet it's still well worth trying – registering for these services should still reduce the calls and junk mail you receive and it definitely won't increase them.

One good thing: if you're still receiving junk after registering, you know these companies are breaking the law, so they're probably not worth dealing with anyway.

Do remember, though: if you've personally signed up to receive mailings via email or when buying something, you'll have to block these individually.

Stopping junk mail isn't necessarily MoneySaving

You may be surprised to read this, but it's important to say. Unlike phone messages where it's all a load of ridiculous nonsense, junk mail can sometimes work in your favour.

A lot of best buy financial products, such as credit cards, are often only available if you receive them as targeted direct mailings. Yet it's only worth keeping this channel open if you're money-savvy and can sort out the wheat from the chaff.

One final way to get your revenge on junk mailers is to rip up the letter, stuff it in the pre-paid reply envelope and send it back. That way, the sender will have to pay to get its junk back.

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