The UK's Information Commissioner has served enforcement notices on five companies involved in direct marketing for calling people who had already made it clear they weren't interested.

And while the notices related mainly to double glazing companies, telcos are next in the firing line.

Four of the companies told punters they would have to call another number to avoid future calls, a practice described as "unacceptable" in the notices served.

IDT Direct Limited is also banned from making automated calls unless it has the individual's explicit permission.

Automated calling systems will often call up a punter on the premise that a call centre drone will be available by the time the punter answers the phone. If no drone is available, the punter gets a silent call, which can upset people.

The notices are in response to complaints from the public, and more complaints will lead to fines being applied.

And it's not just windows and conservatory companies which are guilty of this. The commissioner is meeting Carphone Warehouse and Talk Talk this Friday to discuss similar complaints. Unless assurances of future compliance are accepted, more enforcement notices will be inevitable. ®

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• Analysis Millions left dangling by DWP call centres (15 March 2006)
• Ireland celebrates first anti-spam conviction (7 September 2005)
• BT cracks down on 'nuisance' sales calls (12 July 2005)
• Orange takes steps to block mobile spam (2 January 2004)