Random telephone research/survey call - legal?

paultf

This evening I got a phone call from a research company doing a survey. I said I wasn't interested. He asked me could he ring me another time - I said No.

I asked how they got my number (as my phone no. is ex-directory) and he said it was randomly generated. I said it was illegal to make random calls. He said it wasn't because it was randomly generated. Is he right?

I remember a few years ago a law was introduced which stopped companies looking up phone directories and making these type of calls. Part of the reason why I went ex-directory was to prevent this.

So is it OK for a company to randomly dial a number for these purposes?

coylemj

paultf wrote: »

This evening I got a phone call from a research company doing a survey. I said I wasn't interested. He asked me could he ring me another time - I said No.

I asked how they got my number (as my phone no. is ex-directory) and he said it was randomly generated. I said it was illegal to make random sales calls. He said it wasn't because it was randomly generated. Is he right?

I remember a few years ago a law was introduced which stopped companies looking up phone directories and making sales calls. Part of the reason why I went ex-directory was to prevent this.

So is it OK for a company to randomly dial a number for sales purposes?

I thought you said it was a survey?

I have had calls from legitimate research companies and don't have a problem with the practice. They start off the call by identifying the company and ask you if you'd answer a few questions, it's pretty painless and usually lasts no more than 30 seconds.

As long as an Irish number comes up and the person on the phone identifies themselves straight up I don't have a problem. When there's no number displayed and/or they kick off with a vague story about the EU I tell them to PFO.

Every time there is a survey reported in the papers it's because an Irish company like Red Star or MRBI called at least 1,000 people in that fashion.

paultf

coylemj wrote: »

I thought you said it was a survey?

I have had calls from legitimate research companies and don't have a problem with the practice.

The call I got yesterday was a survey/research call.

The number that came up on my phone was restricted/unknown number.

TBH, I don't like any of these type of calls - sales/research/survey.

I have my number ex-directory with Eircom so I would have thought that these companies couldn't randomly generate a number and come up with mine.

coylemj

In that case you were probably right to tell them to get lost, I don't think the legitimate research companies block the number on outgoing calls.

If they randomly generate the number then it doesn't matter whether you're ex-directory or not. They are not randomly picking numbers off a list, they are literally generating random seven digit numbers and dialling them.

upncmnhistori

paultf wrote: »

This evening I got a phone call from a research company doing a survey. I said I wasn't interested. He asked me could he ring me another time - I said No.

I asked how they got my number (as my phone no. is ex-directory) and he said it was randomly generated. I said it was illegal to make random calls. He said it wasn't because it was randomly generated. Is he right?

I remember a few years ago a law was introduced which stopped companies looking up phone directories and making these type of calls. Part of the reason why I went ex-directory was to prevent this.

So is it OK for a company to randomly dial a number for these purposes?

I agree. I think things like this should be abolished.

coylemj

upncmnhistori wrote: »

I agree. I think things like this should be abolished.

As should the practice of digging up 18 month old threads.

Pat Mustard

As we are digging up old threads...

From the Data Protection Commissioner's website:

Dealing with unsolicited marketing calls & faxes.


The provisions of Statutory Instrument 535 of 2003 [European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 2003] took effect on November 6th 2003. Since that date, the sending of unsolicited faxes or the making of unsolicited calls from within the Republic of Ireland for the purpose of direct marketing has, in certain situations, been an offence. The launch of the National Directory Database (NDD) as a national marketing opt-out database has increased the protection of telephone subscribers. Similar regulations are either in force or being enacted in other countries within the European Economic Area.


S.I. 535 of 2003 was amended by S.I. 526 of 2008. This took effecit on 13 December 2008.

It is possible to contact one's phone company and ask to be put on the National Directory Database (NDD), meaning that it will be illegal for these sales/marketing companies to call.

I imagine that the law is unlikely to stop our determined friends in the orient, who are convinced that there is a virus on your computer that can only be cured by taking your money.

upncmnhistori

The Mustard wrote: »

As we are digging up old threads...

From the Data Protection Commissioner's website:



It is possible to contact one's phone company and ask to be put on the National Directory Database (NDD), meaning that it will be illegal for these sales/marketing companies to call.

I imagine that the law is unlikely to stop our determined friends in the orient, who are convinced that there is a virus on your computer that can only be cured by taking your money.

I remember about that haven't heard it in a while though.