Unsolicited Deliveries of Goods

You do not legally have to return unsolicited deliveries. Many 'unscrupulous' companies try this technique to make sales, particularly of 'dubious' products.

It is an offence for the supplier to demand payment. Simply refer them in writing to the Trading Standards.

Those annoying 'marketing' phone calls

Register free with the Telephone Preference Service - 0845-070-0707 - or www.tpsonline.org.uk. Companies must offer an address or free-phone number so you can contact them to get your name taken off their database - ask for their company name, the salespersons name, their supervisors name, the address and free-phone tel number. Then put the phone down.

There is a 'scam' where the 'caller' will be a recorded message asking you to 'press xxx' to contact our mailing dept (or something similar) - BE CAREFUL, these can often result in your call being redirected at your cost to a premium rate call (possibly to another country).

Junk Mail (Post)

Register with the Mailing Preference Service - 0845-703-4599 - www.mpsonline.org.uk and ask for your name and address to be removed from mailing lists.

Emails (spam or uce)

You (as an individual consumer) must give your consent before a company can send you marketing emails. Companies must also make it clear that emails are for marketing purposes and that you can opt out of future ones at no cost to yourself. If you come across a company who breaches these rules report them to the Information Commissioners Office - 01625 845 700 or mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk. Note this legislation only applies to companies based in the EU.