From May 16th, any direct marketing firm registered in the UK -- regardless of where they're physically based -- won't be allowed to hide the number they are calling from. While seeing a withheld number pop up on your mobile is a pretty clear sign it's a nuisance call, having the digits in your log gives you an opportunity to redress. With numbers to hand, the government hopes more people unduly targeted by cold callers will be inclined to report offenders. And if a company is found to be skirting the rules, they can expect a fine of up to £2 million from regulator Ofcom, and potentially an additional £500,000 slap on the wrist from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office.

Glad to announce a new attack on #nuisancecalls Cold callers must display phone numbers from 16 May https://t.co/a0yPXcCLjr #nonuisance — Lady Neville-Rolfe (@LNevilleRolfe) 25 April 2016