If your business makes outbound marketing calls, there is one check you cannot afford to skip.
Before you dial, you must screen your data against the Telephone Preference Service (TPS).
Failure to do so can lead to complaints, investigations and substantial fines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Here’s what the TPS is, who needs to check against it, and how Selectabase provides a fast, fully GDPR-compliant online screening solution for client-supplied data.
What Is the TPS?
The Telephone Preference Service is the UK’s official “do not call” register.
Individuals can add their home or mobile numbers to opt out of unsolicited live marketing calls. Once registered, organisations must not make marketing calls to those numbers unless they have clear consent.
There is also a Corporate TPS (CTPS) register that covers Ltd companies – Sole traders and partnerships would register on the standard TPS.
In short:
If a number is on TPS or CTPS, you cannot cold call it.
Who Should Be Checking Against TPS?
Any organisation making outbound marketing calls must check their data before calling.
This includes:
- Internal sales teams
- Telemarketing agencies
- Businesses using CRM call lists
- Companies working from event lists
- Organisations using purchased or legacy data
Even if the data is years old or originally compliant, TPS registrations update daily. A number that was safe last month may not be safe today.
The responsibility sits with the organisation making the call.
What Happens If You Don’t Check?
If you call a TPS-registered number without consent, the individual can complain to the ICO.
The ICO has enforcement powers under PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), including significant financial penalties.
Beyond fines, there are other risks:
- Reputational damage
- Directors being personally scrutinised
- Increased complaint monitoring
- Internal stress and disruption
And importantly, you must be able to demonstrate:
- When the data was screened
- Which suppression file was used
- That screening took place before the campaign
Compliance must be provable, not assumed.
How TPS Fits With GDPR
TPS screening supports your wider GDPR obligations.
Under GDPR, organisations must demonstrate accountability and take appropriate technical and organisational measures when processing personal data.
Screening your outbound calling list against TPS:
- Reduces unlawful processing
- Minimises risk
- Shows proactive compliance
- Protects data subjects’ rights
It is not just best practice. It is essential risk management.
How Selectabase Helps – Instant Online TPS Checking
If you already have data and simply need to ensure it is compliant before making calls, Selectabase provides a secure online TPS checking tool.
Here’s how it works:
- Upload your client-supplied data securely
- The system screens numbers against TPS and CTPS
- Receive instant results
- Suppressed numbers are clearly flagged
- Export a clean, compliant file for calling
There is no waiting period, no manual processing delays, and no guesswork.
You get:
- Immediate clarity
- A defensible compliance position
- Confidence before dialling
This is ideal for:
- Internal CRM cleanses
- Pre-campaign screening
- Agency compliance checks
- Ongoing monthly suppression routines
New Users – 50 Free TPS Checks
To help businesses test the system and see how it works, new users can claim 50 free TPS checks.
This allows you to:
- Trial the platform
- Understand how suppression works
- Assess how many numbers may need removing
- Demonstrate compliance internally
There is no obligation to proceed further – but if you need to TPS check your files, we can help!
Why This Matters Commercially
TPS screening is not just about avoiding fines.
It protects:
- Your brand
- Your sales team’s time
- Your directors
- Your commercial reputation
Calling numbers that should not be contacted wastes time and increases complaint risk.
Screening first means:
- Fewer complaints
- More focused outreach
- Cleaner data
- Stronger governance
In a world where regulatory scrutiny is increasing, being able to say “We screened this file immediately before calling” is powerful.
Final Thoughts
Outbound calling still works when done properly.
But compliance must come first.
If you are using legacy CRM data, event lists, purchased records or any form of client-supplied data, screening against TPS before dialling is essential.
Selectabase’s online TPS checking tool gives you instant, secure and fully compliant screening — so your team can pick up the phone with confidence.
If you would like to claim your 50 free TPS checks or discuss how ongoing screening can fit into your outbound process, get in touch with our team today.
Because when it comes to compliance, it is always better to check before you call.
Get started here and request 50 free checks – https://www.selectabase.co.uk/services/tps/
