Action plan to tackle nuisance calls

Ofcom has today announced a plan to tackle the growing problem of nuisance calls, which can cause considerable concern and annoyance for consumers.

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The plan comes as Ofcom publishes its annual Consumer Experience Report, which tracks key trends in consumers' use of communications services to inform Ofcom's regulatory and consumer protection initiatives.

The research suggests that, during a six-month period in 2012, almost half (47%) of all adults with a landline experienced a silent call, up from a quarter (24%) in 2011. Silent calls are a type of nuisance call usually caused by automated dialling systems used in call centres.

Over the same six-month period, almost three quarters (71%) of landline customers said they received a live marketing call, while 63% received a recorded marketing message.

Claudio Pollack, Ofcom's Consumer Group Director, said: "Nuisance calls can cause annoyance, inconvenience and anxiety to consumers. This is a complex and challenging area, but Ofcom is determined to work with industry and other regulators to help protect consumers. Our new research will help to understand the root cause of the problem."

An Age Scotland spokesperson said: "A hike in silent calls is very disappointing news, particularly for older people since they cause a great deal of anxiety and distress. We're pleased to see that Ofcom have put a plan in place which we hope will reduce the problem significantly.

"Older people should be on their guard and speak to a trusted relative or friend before handing over money or giving personal information to someone they don't know."

Ofcom's plan

Ofcom's five-point plan brings together industry, regulators and Government to help address nuisance calls:

1.  New Research
New research will be commissioned to create a clearer picture of the problems consumers experience. A sample of UK adults will keep a diary recording any calls that they receive, holding on the line long enough to be able to determine the nature of the call, and detailing their experience. This will help to understand the frequency of the different types of nuisance calls and the companies and sectors generating them. Ofcom intends to share the findings with other bodies such as the Information Commissioner's Office, the Office of Fair Trading, and the Ministry of Justice.

2. Tracing those behind nuisance calls
In 2013, Ofcom will work closely with industry to identify ways to trace companies behind nuisance calls where they try to hide their identity, and to look at ways to prevent such calls.

3. Improving Compliance
Ofcom, along with the Information Commissioner's Office, will write to businesses making calls in the UK warning them of the requirement that they abide by Ofcom's rules on silent and abandoned calls. Those that breach these rules could face fines of up to £2m.

4. Coordinated action
Ofcom has regulatory responsibility for tackling silent and abandoned calls. It has also committed to playing a role in a coordinated effort to tackle the wider issue of nuisance calls alongside other regulatory bodies, such as the Information Commissioner's Office and Government. Ofcom has already published an online consumer guide to tackling nuisance calls and messages in collaboration with other regulators and consumer groups, which has been viewed online over 50,000 times.

5. Enforcement action
Ofcom will continue to take enforcement action where appropriate to ensure companies comply with its rules on silent and abandoned calls. Ofcom issued fines totalling over £800,000 within the last year to HomeServe and npower. TalkTalk is currently under investigation.