The TPS is the central opt-out register that both companies (Corporate TPS) and private individuals can use to opt out of receiving unwanted and often unsolicited sales calls.
Ian Titchener, Director of Telemarketing Matters, writes: I am often surprised by the fact that many of our clients are totally unaware of this requirement and as such are potentially leaving themselves open to large fines (up to £500,000) for calling TPS barred numbers.
So if you have a customer database or use the telephone as a sales too, here are some things to think about:
• If you have a list of customers that you do not speak to, or have not spoken to regularly, get the list TPS screened. A good telemarketing company will be able to do this for you at a very reasonable cost.
• If you have a list of customers that you deal with regularly but they show up as TPS barred, it may be a good idea to ask them whether it is still okay to call them.
• You must screen your data every 28 days. You can download plug-ins for most CRM systems, or even for Excel that will do this for you. Make sure that you record the date and time of the check to prove that it was carried out.
• If a prospect says that they are on the TPS register when you are cold calling, ask them whether they have recently registered, it takes 28 days for the registration to take effect, and they may have registered the day after you screened your database.
Be aware that Sole Traders are registered via the consumer TPS service and not corporate. If you deal with one man bands or target them, it may be an idea to screen via both media.
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