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TPS and CTPS Guide for Telemarketers

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TPS and CTPS: A Guide for Telemarketers 

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Corporate Telephone Preference Service  (CTPS) are opt-out registers that cover consumers and businesses. Anyone who doesn’t want to be targeted over the phone can leave their details on these registers to avoid receiving cold calls. 

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has the power to dish out fines to businesses that breach these regulations – with thousands of numbers being added to the TPS and CTPS databases every day you need to ensure you comply.  

This guide will cover: 

1.      Definitions of TPS and CTPS

2.      Regulations governing these registers

3.      The regulations in brief

4.      Implications of a breach

5.      How you can protect your business

6.      How Red Flag Alert can help

TPS and CTPS Definitions

Telephone preference service.

“The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a central opt-out register whereby individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS.”

-        Definition courtesy of www.tpsonline.org.uk

Corporate Telephone Preference Service

“The Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) is the central opt-out register whereby corporate subscribers can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls to either all their organisation’s telephone numbers, or to certain numbers. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make such calls to numbers registered on the CTPS.”

-     Definition courtesy of www.tpsonline.org.uk

Regulations governing these registers

The regulations governing the prohibition of calls to numbers on these registers is the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) Regulations 2004 (amended) . The body responsible for enforcement is the ICO.

The regulations in brief

-    You must not make calls to anyone who has told you they don’t want them and any number registered with TPS or CTPS.

-     You must tell the recipient who is calling, display your number and provide a number and address if requested.

-     You must check your data against the TPS and CTPS registers every 28 days.

-     You may only make automated calls with explicit consent.

Implication of a breach

The ICO has the power to fine businesses that breach TPS and CTPS guidelines. Between January and April 2018 the ICO handed out £1.7m in fines. One company was the Bradford-based Energy Savings Centre which the ICO issued with a £250,000 fine. Andy Curry, ICO Enforcement Group Manager, reiterated the ICO’s commitment to stamping out unwarranted calls, stating: “We are committed to taking strong action against firms calling people registered with the TPS.”

Arguably more damaging than a fine is the reputational risk of being outed as a business that breaches these regulations, like MyIML were. Cold calling has a bad reputation, so this kind of press can be really damaging.

What you need to do

The ICO will continue to clamp down on TPS and CTPS breaches, so now is the perfect time to get your house in order. Here are some key steps you need to take.

-     Check your data against the TPS and CTPS registers every 28 days.

-     Ensure you carefully note anyone who has explicitly requested not to be contacted.

-   Build out your sales toolkit. If a customer doesn’t want to receive a call they may be open to a different approach, such as email or even direct mail.

-    Instead of a spray-and-pray approach, target people and businesses that are a             great fit for your product service; if you’re offering a valuable service this will minimise complaints.

-     Ensure you have a clear and robust data management plan so that you know the numbers you hold and can check them easily.

-     Even if your sales operation is B2B, you need to check companies and smaller businesses so you must screen against TPS and CTPS.

Red Flag Alert makes TPS and CTPS checking simple

-       Red Flag Alert has the UK’s largest database of business telephone numbers –               over 2.6 million.

-       These numbers are updated every day using 10 market-leading data owners.

-        We screen telephone numbers against TPS and CTPS every week.

-    Using our API you can integrate our data with your CRM, meaning your telephone lists will update automatically in real-time.

Red Flag Alert drives your B2B sales operation

Red Flag Alert’s business data is the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the UK. With 6.5 million businesses, 100,000 changes every day and 20 million key decision-makers we’re the data partner that will get your B2B sales operation fuelled.

Great B2B sales is about targeting the right businesses and using a B2B data provider such as Red Flag Alert will allow you to segment data in thousands of different ways to build highly relevant outbound marketing lists. To find out how we can keep your CTPS and TPS compliant and more importantly grow your business, get in touch for a free demo. 

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TPS Checker

CTPS & TPS Corporate Telephone Preference Service

What are tps and ctps.

So, we’ll kick this off by talking about the two different types of services and what they mean. The first is the TPS Telephone Preference Service. On this platform, individuals can actively register their preferences to avoid receiving bothersome marketing telephone calls or unsolicited sales calls. Legally, companies cannot make calls to the numbers reported on these programs. The CTPS checker is essentially the corporate version of the TPS. It’s the same basic principle that if the number is registered with the service, it’s not legal to call them. Still, in this case, it’s how corporate subscribers don’t receive marketing calls to any of the numbers attached to their organisation.

CTPS Checker – Is Your Business Compliant?

When it comes to running a B2B telemarketing data lists campaign, there are a few things that you need to think about. It’s vital for your business that you are compliant with TPS Checker, CTPS checker– The Corporate Telephone Preference Service. They are opt-out registers for consumers and businesses. It’s important to understand that these two services have a significant bearing on your business and your telemarketing campaign. It’s essential not to be ignorant of the rules. So let’s look at how these registers work, what it means to you, and how they will affect your B2B telemarketing.

TPS and CTPS Checker

We can check your own data for any CTPS registered contacts. Where required, we can provide the same day service! This saves you from individually checking with a TPS or CTPS checker.

However, this must not just be a one-off process. Your data lists and the CTPS checker list is changing all the time. So we recommend that you let us conduct a regular check against the current CTPS list to give you complete piece of mind.

What Does This Mean For You?

From a B2B telemarketing perspective, learning about these two lists can be problematic.

Most people accept unwanted sales calls as being an unfortunate part of life. So we don’t want to deal with them, we don’t like them. But at the same time, we recognise that they’re just an everyday part of life, and we can switch off and not deal with them by hanging up the phone or ignoring the call.

With that being said, many businesses do like the fact they are free to try. It means that there is the unlimited potential to be the one sales call that somebody picks up and engages with. And that means that you might make a sale or successfully convince someone to buy your service. So if you’re dealing with big businesses, who are usually the most high-profile candidates for a telemarketing campaign, it’s a good thing.

Not being able to do so legally does tend to limit the telemarketing data campaign.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, it’s essential to recognise clear rules for marketing campaigns , and you must respect them. The law does not look kindly on businesses that harass anybody on the register. Whcih is why the TPS and CTPS is so important. You need to make sure that you have read it and cross-referenced it with your intended list of telemarketing campaign targets. You are responsible for following the law, and ignorance is often not an adequate defence if challenged. So make sure that you check out the registers and keep your business legally compliant.

Do you have any more questions about B2B telemarketing tips ? don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling the number above or fill out our contact form to request a call-back.

You can discover additional hints and tips for solving this situation by visiting our Twitter account . We will also be sharing various methods for getting organized in upcoming blog posts. Our team is always ready to assist you in maximizing the benefits of your purchase.

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The Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS)

Who operates the Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) register?

Ofcom is required to make available a register where businesses can opt out of receiving unsolicited sales calls.

This register is known as the Corporate Telephone Preference Service Register (CTPS) and is operated by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) on behalf of the ICO.

The DMA licences access to the CTPS register. TPS Services is one of these registered licensees. Our access to the register and our IT skill set is what allows us to provide the quick and convenient services that allow business of all sizes to effectively access and screen their data lists against the CTPS prior to calling.

Registration on the CTPS is free and can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

Don’t be confused about some services available on the web that will charge you for services similar to the CTPS. These will not be as effective, regardless of what they promise.

Use our checker platform to screen your data against the TPS , CTPS , FPS and custom DNC data.

The Corporate Telephone Preference Service

The Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) is a free service enabling businesses to register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls.

Those that can register on the CTPS include limited companies and plc's. Sole traders and partnerships register on the TPS and not the CTPS, something that often confusing businesses wishing to screen data.

Organisations with which you have an ongoing relationship, for example those who regard you as a customer, (or in the case of charities - a donor) may well gather your consent during the early stages of your relationship with them and will therefore be entitled to call you even if your number is registered on CTPS (unless you have previously told them specifically that you object to them calling you for marketing purposes).

The CTPS can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers, however it is important to note that this will prevent the receipt of marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, please send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved.

As CTPS registration only prevents marketing calls, organisations will still be able to call you for the purposes of genuine market research.

Unlike the TPS, businesses are required to renew their registration annually so if you do register, make sure you provide a current email address as the renewal advices are sent by email and not post.

CTPS Statistics

CTPS Checker statistics graph

The impact on your business

The Corporate Telephone Preference Service register is increasing all the time, although not at the same pace as the TPS register. That said, when compared to the size of the business market, the CTPS registrations are having a massive impact on the availability of businesses to call in proportions that far outweigh the impact that TPS registrations are having on the consumer market.

One saving grace is the need for businesses to re-register annually and you can see the impact of their failure to do this in the periodic scrubbing of large quantities of numbers from the CTPS register.

Some businesses, especially smaller ones, don't take kindly to being called if they are registered on the CTPS. They are also more prone to complain and more effective at complaining to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) because of the availability of time and resources to do so.

So if your business makes business to business sales, our advice is screen your data against the CTPS and don't forget the TPS if you're calling sole traders and partnerships.

The Telephone Preference Service

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is the central opt out register whereby consumers, sole traders and partnerships can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. They can register one or all of their numbers.

Find out more on the TPS

IMAGES

  1. What is the Corporate Telephone Preference Service register?

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  2. The Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

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  3. How to Use The Telephone Preference Service

    corporate telephone preference service login

  4. How do I register on the Telephone Preference Service register?

    corporate telephone preference service login

  5. Register and check callers via the Telephone Preference Service

    corporate telephone preference service login

  6. Guide to the telephone preference service

    corporate telephone preference service login

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COMMENTS

  1. Telephone Preference Service

    Telephone Preference Service - Corporate Site The TPS is a list of consumers who have registered their wish not to receive unsolicited direct marketing calls. This includes sole traders and partnerships - except in Scotland. Login . A A A . C C . Home. Other Services. Apply. About TPS. Information. Prices.

  2. Corporate Telephone Preference Service Renewal

    Telephone Preference Service ... Home. Registration. About TPS. Complaints. Information. Licensees. Enforcement Action. Corporate Telephone Preference Service Renewal. 1 Login. 2 Details and phone numbers. 3 ... Username. Username. Password. Password. Login. Contact Useful Links. List Cleaners Press Enquiries. Mailing Preference Service Baby ...

  3. Login

    By creating an account with us, you will have the ability to upload, screen and download your data. You also have the ability to manage your own DNC lists and purchase any additional credits. TPS Services is an Online Utility that offers 24/7 Automated Checking against the Telephone Preference Service. Login or Sign Up Today!

  4. The Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

    Registration on either the Telephone Preference Service or Corporate Telephone Preference Service is free. Register on the Telephone Preference Service. It takes 28 days for the registration on either the TPS or CTPS to become fully effective. Renewal. For the CTPS you will receive an e-mail once a year notifying you of how to renew.

  5. Telephone Preference Service

    Telephone Preference Service - Corporate Site The CTPS is a list of organisations (limited companies, public limited companies and Scottish partnerships) who have registered their wish not to receive unsolicited direct marketing calls. ... Login . A A A . C C . Home. Other Services. Apply. About TPS. Information. Prices. Technical ...

  6. TPS and CTPS Guide for Telemarketers

    "The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a central opt-out register whereby individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS." - Definition courtesy of www.tpsonline.org.uk. Corporate ...

  7. Telephone Preference Service

    Telephone Preference Service - Corporate Site The CTPS is a list of organisations (limited companies, public limited companies and Scottish partnerships) who have registered their wish not to receive unsolicited direct marketing calls. ... Login . A A A . C C . Home. Other Services. Apply. About TPS. Information. Prices. Technical ...

  8. Telephone marketing

    The TPS is the Telephone Preference Service. It is a central register of individuals who have opted out of receiving live marketing calls. The CTPS is the Corporate TPS. It works in the same way as the TPS, but for companies and other corporate bodies (limited liability partnerships, Scottish partnerships and government bodies).

  9. Corporate TPS Renewal

    Welcome to the Corporate Telephone Preference renewal site. Remember by registering numbers you may miss out on calls that you and your colleagues would wish to receive.

  10. Telephone Preference Service

    TPS Corporate Site. Telephone Preference Service - Corporate Site The CTPS is a list of organisations (limited companies, public limited companies and Scottish partnerships) who have registered their wish not to receive unsolicited direct marketing calls.

  11. TPS: What Consumers Say

    The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is the UK's only official 'Do Not Call' register for landlines and mobile phone numbers. It allows people and businesses to opt out of unsolicited live sales and marketing calls. It's free and quick to register a telephone number and doing so will reduce the number of unwanted sales and marketing ...

  12. Telephone Preference Service

    Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) If you require technical assistance or have any technical queries please call 0844 669 5226 or email [email protected] . Contact

  13. Register for a TPS Services account

    Registering. Registering for an account involves no commitment. Screen, don't screen… it's up to you. Registering simply allows you access to start screening now or at a later date. We provide businesses with the ability to screen their data against the Telephone Preference Service and Corporate Telephone Preference Service registers.

  14. Telephone Preference Service

    We are The Telephone Preference Service Limited (CTPSL), referred to in this notice as the Corporate Telephone Preference Service, The CTPS or CTPSL. CTPSL is a subsidiary of the Data and Marketing Association (UK) Limited, registration number 2667995. Our Office is registered at DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS.

  15. CTPS & TPS Corporate Telephone Preference Service

    The first is the TPS Telephone Preference Service. On this platform, individuals can actively register their preferences to avoid receiving bothersome marketing telephone calls or unsolicited sales calls. Legally, companies cannot make calls to the numbers reported on these programs. The CTPS checker is essentially the corporate version of the TPS.

  16. The CTPS & Online Checker Service

    The Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) is a free service enabling businesses to register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. Those that can register on the CTPS include limited companies and plc's. Sole traders and partnerships register on the TPS and not the CTPS, something that often confusing ...

  17. Telephone Preference Service

    Telephone Preference Service The free opt out service enabling you to record your preference on the official register and not receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls. A A A . C C . Home. Registration. About TPS. Complaints. Information. Licensees. Enforcement Action. Contact Useful Links.