Anyone any idea which Irish firms use GFKNOP or the GFK Group for marketing/telesales?
Over the past few days, in spite of being ex-directory and on the opt out list, I've received several calls from people wanting to do a "customer survey". Sick of them continually calling, the last time I got one, I asked the caller who they were calling on behalf and where they got my number. Didnt get a satisfactory answer from the call agent, so asked to be passed to his manager. To cut a long story short, I got the following information:
Company calling are GFKNOP Limited.
Source of call is New Delhi.
Company is part of the GFK group based in Blackfriars London.
They receive their instructions on who to call from the Blackfriars HQ.
They refused to disclose the name of the Irish company who had hired them to do the telemarketing.
When I quizzed them about where they got my number, they said that I was called by a "random digital dialer". I told them that I believed these machines to be illegal in Ireland. Their response was that they purposely used them as it allowed them to call ex-directory numbers who they wouldnt be able to reach if they used a calling list. Targeting ex-directory numbers was part of their "marketing strategy".
I got this information after threatening the guy with all sorts of legal action including saying that I was recording his call, so if he was mistruthful it would be used as evidence against him etc. plus that if he refused to disclose the information, I report him personally (had already got his name and office address at start of call before he realised my intentions).
I fully intend to follow this incident up with the relevent authorities. One thing that would be helpful would be some information on which Irish firms use this crowd. I'd be interested in phoning each of their Irish clients directly to ask if they are responsible for the original call. Anyone any ideas?
Over the past few days, in spite of being ex-directory and on the opt out list, I've received several calls from people wanting to do a "customer survey". Sick of them continually calling, the last time I got one, I asked the caller who they were calling on behalf and where they got my number. Didnt get a satisfactory answer from the call agent, so asked to be passed to his manager. To cut a long story short, I got the following information:
Company calling are GFKNOP Limited.
Source of call is New Delhi.
Company is part of the GFK group based in Blackfriars London.
They receive their instructions on who to call from the Blackfriars HQ.
They refused to disclose the name of the Irish company who had hired them to do the telemarketing.
When I quizzed them about where they got my number, they said that I was called by a "random digital dialer". I told them that I believed these machines to be illegal in Ireland. Their response was that they purposely used them as it allowed them to call ex-directory numbers who they wouldnt be able to reach if they used a calling list. Targeting ex-directory numbers was part of their "marketing strategy".
I got this information after threatening the guy with all sorts of legal action including saying that I was recording his call, so if he was mistruthful it would be used as evidence against him etc. plus that if he refused to disclose the information, I report him personally (had already got his name and office address at start of call before he realised my intentions).
I fully intend to follow this incident up with the relevent authorities. One thing that would be helpful would be some information on which Irish firms use this crowd. I'd be interested in phoning each of their Irish clients directly to ask if they are responsible for the original call. Anyone any ideas?