Unwanted sales calls — Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

Direct answer

Cold calls to consumers are banned or opt-in in most EU countries, and the rest have a do-not-call register: register your number once, and every call after that is a fine for the caller. Tell each caller "remove me, I object" — that objection is absolute under GDPR. Report persistent callers with the number and time to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) (0345 070 0707), which enforces the telemarketing rules, and to ICO — Information Commissioner's Office (0303 123 1113) for the data-protection side. Ofcom / Communications Ombudsman / CISAS (0300 123 3333) collects patterns and scam numbers.

Call firstTelephone Preference Service (TPS)

Report toICO — Information Commissioner's Office

If that failsOfcom / Communications Ombudsman / CISAS

🗣️ What to say

"I am registered on the do-not-call list / I object to any marketing calls. Remove my number and my data from your records now and confirm in writing. Which company are you, and where did you get my number?"

🪜 Step by step

Register your numberOn the national do-not-call register; it is free and takes a minute.
Ask, record, hang upCompany name, where they got your number, then "remove me". Note date, time and the calling number.
Objection in writingTo the company, if you know it — GDPR Article 21; marketing must stop immediately.
Report to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and ICO — Information Commissioner's OfficeNumbers, dates, what they sold. Fines follow patterns of reports.
Block on the phoneBlock the number, enable the carrier's spam filter; report scam calls (fake bank, fake police) to the police as well.

📇 All contacts

Telephone Preference Service (TPS)Free UK do-not-call registerRegister once; later calls are reportable to the ICO📞 0345 070 0707 🔗 www.tpsonline.org.uk

ICO — Information Commissioner's OfficeComplaints against organisations, investigations, finesWhen the organisation does not answer within a month or misuses data📞 0303 123 1113 🔗 ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint

Ofcom / Communications Ombudsman / CISASComplaints about phone and broadband; ADR after 8 weeksAfter complaining to the provider without a solution📞 0300 123 3333 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/complaints

Citizens Advice consumer helplineConsumer rights, complaint letters, referral to Trading StandardsWhen the shop refuses📞 0808 223 1133 🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer

❓ Frequently asked

They said I "agreed" on a comparison site

Consent to marketing must be specific and separate; buried consent is invalid. Withdraw it in writing and report.

The number changes every time

Spoofing. Report anyway with the times; the regulator traces the carrier behind the calls.

A "contract" was concluded by phone

For consumers, most countries require written confirmation for phone sales; a contract you never confirmed does not exist. Dispute it in writing.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“stop unwanted sales calls the UK”
“do not call register the UK”
“report telemarketing calls”
“cold calling illegal the UK”
“spam calls complaint regulator”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for the UK

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · the UKElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in the UK, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

☎️ I keep getting unwanted sales calls — how do I stop them, and who enforces it?