Data Enhancement
Fax Preference Service
It is unlawful for UK companies to send DM faxes to an individual, sole trader or,
except in Scotland, a partnership without the recipient’s prior consent. Companies
not covered by this criterion can register with the Fax Preference Service (FPS)
to indicate their objection to receiving unsolicited marketing faxes. In 1997, the
DMA (UK) setup the FPS as a self-regulatory system for the DM industry.
Subsequent legislation made FPS screening a commercial obligation; companies must
now ensure that all fax numbers for outbound broadcast have been FPS screened within
the past 28 days. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £5,000 per offence
from the Office of the Information Commissioner.
Updated daily, the FPS file contains more than 1.5 million records. In addition
to commercial registrations, the DMA has encouraged take-up amongst consumers, aiming
to eradicate the annoyance caused by unsolicited faxes and promote a positive image
of the DM industry.