Sussex wrote:
This cheeky ***ker firm has collated millions of mobile numbers and are openly selling them to whoever whenever.
So to p**s them off you can remove your number from it.
http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove-me.htmlMaybe folks can spread the word and leave them with nothing.
I'm unsure what to make of this. At first look, it seems most concerning, but take a look at the post I've included a little further down, from the respected moneysavingexpert.com website (run by TV's Martin Lewis, the.... well....money saving expert!).
It
may be that it is not quite as bad as feared and they may not actually give your phone number out to anyone that asks without asking for your permission. Also, if you are lucky (and if you've been careful), your number may not be on this list anyway. I personally may adopt a three pronged attack/defence.
1) Check if I'm on the list
but more importantly
2) NEVER, EVER give my real number to any company, unless really necessary (I understand this can often be difficult, but as an example, when using insurance quote sites that insist on contact phone numbers, I use old, invalid numbers, due to having been harassed by sales teams asking whether I wished to proceed with a policy etc. in the past).
Always look for the little boxes on forms asking if they can use your details and remove permission (though some of the swines ask you to put your request in writing etc, to use delaying tactics)
3) Probably wait to see if I actually get any calls and if so, then remove (but this is an ongoing thing that we're all going to monitor closely and possibly alter our plans accordingly).
Anyway, here's the post from moneysavingexpert.com and the link for the overall website discussion is:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1757003&page=4
START OF POST
"How does it work?
Contrary to what you might think, your mobile number won’t actually be given out by the directory. There’s two ways to use the service: by phone and online. Both cost £1.
To use it by phone, you dial 118-800, and tell the operator the first name and surname of the person you’re seeking and the town they live in. If the directory has that person’s details, you will be put on hold while the operator calls the person and asks them if their willing to have your phone patched through to theirs.
To use the service online, visit
www.118800.co.uk and fill in first name, surname and town of the person you’re looking for. If that person is on the database, the individual will receive a text with your name and mobile number. They then have the option to call you.
Is the service already available?
It goes live next Friday (June 18th), but a test website is up and running now where you can try out the database.
Will my number be on the directory?
The directory has around 15 million numbers and there’s an estimated 40 million adults in the UK that use mobiles. On that basis, there’s around a 40% chance that your number will be in there.
Everyone who’s number is on the directory must have, at some point, agreed to have their number circulated, but many will have done so unwittingly.
How did my number get on there?
The numbers have been collected through three main sources:
- Market research companies
- Businesses that take our details through online transactions
- Brokers that specialise in buying and selling things, such as mobile phone numbers
How do I opt out?
Text 'E' to 118800 from the mobile phone number you want removed or call 0800 138 6263. You’ll have to pay the standard rate for the text or call and your removal from the directory could take up to four weeks. [source]
The fact my phone number will not be given out is reassuring in terms of my concern but even if I'm not worried I'm annoyed by this. Something like this should be OPT-IN, and certainly not made difficult to opt-out. It's true now I suppose that data is the new currency."
END OF POST
So, there you go ladies and gents, it's up to you. I think I'll wait a little while and hope that, if there is a problem, that I don't leave it too late!
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