Are you receiving unwanted marketing text messages?

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has received thousands of complaints from individuals who are concerned about how their personal data are being used.

Organisations can legally send you marketing text messages if all the following conditions apply:

  • The sender has obtained your details through a sale or negotiations for a sale;
  • The messages are about similar products or services offered by the sender and
  • You were given an opportunity to refuse the texts when your details were collected and, if you did not refuse, you were given a simple way to opt out in all the text messages you received.

This is covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) which regulates the way organisations send direct marketing by electronic means, including by text message or SMS – although this does not cover business numbers.

What can you do to avoid unwanted texts? 

  • Be careful who you give your telephone number to.
  • Don’t advertise your telephone number, for example by putting it on the internet.
  • Check privacy policies and marketing opt outs carefully. Use them to tell the organisation not to contact you by text. NOTE: Be careful when you are ticking the boxes, as some enable you to opt in, others to opt out.

What can you do if you’re getting unwanted marketing texts? 

If you receive marketing by text message which you think breaches the Regulations you should write to or email the organisation concerned (remembering to keep a copy of all correspondence). You may also be able to try and opt out from further messages by texting ‘STOP’ to the telephone number or 5-digit short code shown in the text message. Tell the sender about the problem and allow them time to put things right. If you are unsure who the message comes from or if the message does not come from a company you are familiar with you should not respond to the message as this may confirm your number is live.
If you continue to receive marketing by text message you should notify the ICO.

Text messages about accidents, debt management and PPI

There has been an increase in people receiving unsolicited text messages (SMS) relating to accident claims, debts or mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI).
The messages vary in content but will typically say that you are entitled to money because of an accident, debt or mis-sold payment protection insurance. You are then asked to text ‘stop’ or ‘claim’ in response to the text.

In most cases it is believed that the companies sending the messages don’t hold any information about you. The ICO have concluded that the companies sending the texts in the hope that a proportion may reach the mobile phone of someone who has recently had an accident, or been sold a financial product, and who will then reply.

How can you stop receiving messages from these organisations?

You can report them to your network operator, who may be able to prevent further spam from the originating number. Unfortunately as the numbers often change, your network provider cannot guarantee to stop all unsolicited messages. You can either contact your network operator’s customer services or use one of the reporting numbers below:
Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Three: Forward the SMS to 7726 Vodafone: Forward the SMS to 87726.

Should you complain to the ICO about this?

If you are still unhappy about the texts you are receiving, the ICO are operating a helpline –
0303 123 1113
More details can be found on their website

Article based on information supplied by the NFU Mutual

 

Published on: Tuesday, 3rd January 2012

Go back
 

Our Dedicated Team

Learn more about the Directors and members of the Landmark team and view their pictures on the profile page.

 

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

 
 
 

Contact Details

Open 5 days a week Mon - Fri.
9.00am to 5.30pm - no closure at lunchtime.

6 Swan Court
Station Road
Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 1RL

Tel : 01798 877100
Fax : 01798 875392

info@landmarksystems.co.uk