Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q) How is CPR different to TPS?

TPS has a 54% call reduction rate whereas CPR provides a minimum 95% rate and aim to stop 100%

CPR has a dedicated customer care team who act on our member's behalf to ensure that they are not disturbed by any unwanted nuisance marketing calls. And in the unlikely event that any calls happen to slip through the net we act promptly to take action against the company responsible

to ensure transparency we keep our members fully informed via post or email -within 14 days of the progress we make during any complaints procedure we undertake on their behalf and advise them on any further measures we intend to take to resolve their complaint satisfactorily

TPS doesn't stop unwanted calls from market research companies because it is funded by the Direct Marketing Association. TPS does not stop calls from overseas organisations. Nor does TPS stop pre-recorded calls or debt collection calls - many of which are illegal.* *source: TPS Report on Unwanted Calls 2008, by DMA, TPS and Brookmead Consulting, 2008

Q) Why does CPR charge?

There is an annual fee of £35.75 for which our customers:-

can register three telephone numbers, including mobile phone numbers

are contacted after 28 days of being registered to ensure that the service is working for them and there has been a significant drop in the numbers of calls received

have access to a dedicated customer care team who will act on our their behalf by taking action against rogue telemarketing operators, thereby ensuring that Call Prevention Registry maintains it's minimal 95% success rate

are safe-guarded from the increasing number of unwanted telemarketing calls from overseas operators based in the likes of India and Sri Lanka, for example. We are the only anti-nuisance calls service provider who can put a stop to calls from both the UK and overseas

we are always at hand for our customers to call us if they are ever anxious or worried about the calls they have received. Many of our most valued customers are elderly and value the opportunity to speak with a real person who will take the time to listen to their concerns and provide some comfort and reassurance

Q) Where do telemarketing organisations get these phone numbers from?

data providers within the direct marketing industry e.g. the same companies who are responsible for the direct mail through your front door i.e. list owners such as Thomson Directories and Dun & Bradstreet, list broker such as Haymarket (resellers), data services

telemarketing companies have their own existing data lists which are constantly being updated. CPR treats you as a customer not a number and will proactively work on your behalf to ensure that the number of calls you have been receiving are stopped, not simply reduced. So if you move home or want to stop all calls to up to 3 other family members, CPR will continue to look after you.

Q) Does being X-directory make any difference?

unfortunately it doesn't guarantee that you won't receive any phone calls. Each time you make a purchase online and provide personal information but don't tick the box that prevents your details from being passed onto third parties, your telephone number will be redistributed to a number of different organisations who may contact you. CPR will act on your behalf to stop these calls

Q) Why do some people continue to receive telemarketing calls even though they are registered on services such as TPS or CPR?

CPR aims to stop 100% of nuisance calls and takes immediate action against any company that abuses its customer's privacy. Unfortunately not all of our competitors act as ethically as CPR do

there is growing speculation that a number of these companies are using the Do-not-call lists as a marketing opportunity. Indeed, research from MORI has revealed that 60% of all telemarketing calls are made to the 10% of consumers who receive fewest calls on these lists. CPR' s sister company, Data Protection House (DPH), is a business-to-business service provider which ensures that the details of all CPR members are not passed onto unethical telemarketing organisations and DPH takes immediate action against any company which blatantly disregards our customers' right & request for privacy

Q) How big is the problem of unwanted nuisance calls in the UK?

3 billion telemarketing calls every year, increasing numbers from overseas = 1.5 billion 'nuisance' + 1.5 billion 'malicious and silent' calls each year

70% of phone owners say they have been victim of a phone scam

Q) Why don't telemarketing companies call mobile phone numbers?

costs the caller too much money, uneconomical for telemarketing operators

Q) What practical steps can people take?

keep calm

walk away

avoid conversations

don't give out personal information

change answerphone message

ask caller to identify themselves

keep record of numbers

report to phone service provider

More information