How to Register With the Telephone Preference Service in the UK and Stop Marketing Calls

If your phone rings with yet another sales call just as you sit down to dinner, you are not alone. Cold calls remain one of the most irritating parts of having a phone number, and they can be more than a nuisance for people who are repeatedly targeted. The good news is that the UK has a free, official opt out service that makes most legitimate marketing calls stop: the Telephone Preference Service, usually called the TPS.

Registration is free, it takes a few minutes, and it covers both landlines and mobiles. Here is exactly how to do it, what it will and will not stop, and what to do about the calls that keep coming anyway.

Step 1: Understand what the TPS does

The TPS is the UK’s official “do not call” register for live marketing calls. When you register a number, it becomes illegal for companies to make unsolicited live marketing calls to that number unless you have previously given them permission, or you are already their customer and have not opted out. The service is run for the UK’s data protection regulator, and it is free for consumers.

Registration does not block every unwanted call. It covers live sales and marketing calls from legitimate UK companies. It does not stop automated recorded message calls, which are covered by a different set of rules, and it cannot stop overseas scam callers who ignore UK law entirely. Knowing this in advance saves disappointment: the TPS sharply reduces genuine marketing calls, but it is one layer of protection, not a magic shield.

Step 2: Register your numbers online

The simplest way to register is on the TPS website. Go to the official TPS registration page and enter the phone numbers you want to protect. You can register a home landline number, a mobile number, or both, and there is no limit that stops a household registering each number it uses. You will need to confirm each number, usually by entering a code or confirming through the registration process, so have the phone nearby when you do it.

Registration takes effect within 28 days, which is the time companies are given to update their calling lists. Do not expect silence overnight. If a marketing call arrives a few days after you register, the company may simply be working from an older list. Keep a note of the date you registered, so you can judge fairly whether calls should have stopped.

Step 3: Register by phone if you prefer

If you would rather not register online, you can register by calling the TPS registration line. The number is published on the official TPS website, and the call is free from UK landlines and mobiles in most cases. You will be asked for the number or numbers you want to register, and the same 28 day period applies before the registration is fully effective.

Step 4: Deal with calls that should have stopped

If marketing calls from a UK company continue more than 28 days after you registered, you can complain to the TPS. Before you complain, gather three details: the name of the company if you know it, the number that called you, and the date and time of the call. If the caller did not identify themselves, note the number shown on your phone and what they were selling. The TPS can investigate companies that call registered numbers, and persistent offenders can face enforcement action.

For scam calls, which are different from marketing calls, do not engage with the caller and never share personal details, passwords, or bank information. Hang up, and report the number to Action Fraud or through your phone provider’s spam reporting service. If a call felt threatening or you shared sensitive information, contact your bank straight away.

Step 5: Add extra protection on your phone and with your provider

The TPS works best alongside other tools. Most modern phones can silence unknown callers or block individual numbers, and many UK providers offer free call screening services that ask unknown callers to identify themselves before the phone rings. Ask your provider what call blocking or screening service is included with your plan, and switch it on if it suits you.

You can also reduce future marketing calls by being careful with consent. When you fill in online forms, competitions, or warranty registrations, check whether a small tick box gives permission for marketing calls, and leave it unticked if you do not want them. Each permission you withhold is one fewer company allowed to call you legally, even after TPS registration.

Step 6: Keep your registration up to date

TPS registration stays in place until you change it, but it is worth checking when your circumstances change. If you move house and get a new landline number, register the new number. If you change mobile numbers, register the replacement. There is no need to re-register the same number every year, but a quick check after a move or a number change keeps the protection working.

If you start receiving marketing calls again after a long quiet period, it may be because a company has bought a list that has not been checked against the TPS, or because you gave a new consent somewhere without realising. A complaint to the TPS, plus a review of recent consents, usually sorts it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Telephone Preference Service really free?

Yes. Registering a landline or mobile number with the TPS is completely free for consumers, and you should never pay a company that offers to register you for a fee. The official service makes no charge, and any site asking for payment is not the official register.

How long does TPS registration take to work?

Companies have up to 28 days to update their calling lists, so allow a full month before judging the result. Calls that arrive during that window may come from lists prepared before your registration took effect. After 28 days, UK marketing calls to your registered number should have stopped unless you have given that company permission.

Does the TPS stop scam calls?

No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. The TPS stops legitimate marketing calls from companies that follow UK rules. Scam callers, who are often based overseas and already breaking the law, ignore the register. For scams, use your phone’s blocking tools, report the number, and never share personal or banking details with an unexpected caller.