NUISANCE calls have been joined by nuisance texts as forms of communication which can cause annoyance, disturbance or even anxiety to the recipient.

When OFCOM carried out a survey about nuisance calls, 82 per cent of the people who responded said they had received an unwanted call. On average those people received two marketing calls a week.

Of course, direct marketing is a legitimate activity, but if people do not want to receive such calls they are entitled to opt out of them. Registering with the Telephone Preference Service is free. Their website, www.tpsonline.org.uk, gives all the details of how to register.

More than 19.5 million telephone numbers are registered with the TPS service.

Mobile telephones can be registered as well as land lines. However, the TPS explains that to prevent nuisance texts, the individual must inform the company that he or she opts out of receiving text messages.

The regulators are taking action against companies making unsolicited calls. Since April 2012, OFCOM has levied fines of £1.56 million against companies which break the rules by making silent or abandoned calls. Such calls can be a real worry for the individuals who receive them.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has imposed monetary penalties of £360,000, since January 2012, on companies making unsolicited marketing calls.

Both the ICO and OFCOM are due to review the effectiveness of the Telephone Preference Service in spring 2014. The Government will look at their findings to examine whether further action is needed against these nuisance calls. There was also a debate on the issue in the Commons in January 2014.

At the moment the consumers’ organisation Which? Is working with the regulators to develop a new webpage for consumers, to provide information and advice. There is also discussion about whether there should be a phone helpline available for people or groups without access to the internet.