Fed up with those unwanted faxes? Under Government legislation introduced on 1 May 1999 it is unlawful to send an unsolicited sales and marketing fax to an individual (which includes consumers, sole traders and partnerships) without their prior consent.

What is the Fax Preference Service (FPS) ?

The Fax Preference Service, set up by the Direct Marketing Association (UK) Limited (DMA), was originally formed in 1997 as a voluntary self-regulatory mechanism to enable consumers to opt-out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing faxes at home.

Following the adoption of the Telecommunications Data Protection Directive by the European Parliament in 1997, the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) and the Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL) entered into a public consultation period resulting in The Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999 which affect all tele- and fax-marketers in the UK and came into force 1st May 1999. The Directive and Regulations are wide-ranging in their scope and should be studied carefully, in their entirety, by UK tele- & fax-marketers.

In February 1999 OFTEL issued an Invitation To Tender for the Management of the Telephone and Fax Opt-Out Schemes. The DMA was awarded the contract to run the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Fax Preference Service (FPS).

Under the Regulations it is unlawful to fax to an Individual unless you have their prior consent. The term "Individual" in UK law includes Consumers, Sole Traders and (except in Scotland) Partnerships.

How do I stop these faxs then?

So, if you want to be free of those unwanted faxs, just register your fax number with the FPS - its as easy as that.

The FPS, will enable Businesses to register their objection to receiving direct marketing faxes with a central service. Fax-marketing companies will be able to receive the numbers of Businesses who have registered by subscribing to the FPS.

register here

FPS Registration line - 0845 070 0702