I got an unsolicited sales call this evening. Since we’re registered with the TPS, that’s illegal. So I decided to report them via the online complaint form.
In the course of filling in the form I noticed that when it reached the section where I had to give the name of the offending caller it was using a bit of “search as you type” Javascript to auto-complete the form with names matching what I’d typed so far. And the company I was complaining about was one of the suggested names.
Apart from the fact that this is a useful piece of code that makes completing the form easier, it also confirms that they’ve been the subject of previous complaints. Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to be in the auto-complete list.
So it occurred to me to go another step further. What if I could see the full list of names used in the auto-complete? Right-click, select ‘view source’, a quick glance through the HTML and yes, there’s the location of the underlying search page. Open it separately in a new browser tab, and it turns out to be a simple text list of all the names. No server-side processing at all, it’s completely client-side and all the data is downloaded by the browser as you complete the form.
So, what’s in it? At the moment, this is the list:
1 SOLAR ENERGY
1 STOP MARKETING SOLUTION
118 INTERNET DIRECTORY
121 CUSTOMER INSIGHT
1ST ASSIST
1ST CLAIMS SOLUTIONS
1ST QUOTE INSURANCE
1ST STOP FINANCE LTD
2 TOUCH
21 DIGITAL SIGNAGE
24 TALK
24/7 PC CARE
360 ETECH SUPPORT
365 SOLUTION
3D MARKETING GROUP
A.O.L
AA
AA INSURANCE SERVICES
ABSOLUTE INSULATION LTD
ABSOLUTE SAVINGS CENTRE
ACTIVE HEALTH MOBILITY
ADMIRAL GROUP PLC
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL
AFFINITY WILLS LTD
AGH WORLDWIDE
ALBERT HOLMES
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER PLC
ALLIANZ CORNHILL
ALLIANZ DIRECT
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FINANCE
ALTODIGITAL UK LTD
AMBER WINDOWS
AMERICAN EXPRESS
ANDERSON BEARD
ANECO
AOL LIMITED
APR SERVICING
AQUATECH UK
ARBUTHNOT LATHAM
ARC EQUITIES
ASG MIDLANDS
ASHLEY BROWN FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
ASIAN EXPRESS NEWSPAPER
ASTUTE LTD
ATC MEDIA LTD
ATHONA
AUSTIN CLARK RECRUITMENT
AUSTIN FRASER LTD
AUTO TRADER
AUTOCONTENT
AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
AUTONET INSURANCE GROUP
AUTONET INSURANCE SERVICES
AUTOTRADER
AVIVA PLC
AYJAY DIRECT MARKETING LTD
BAINES AND ERNST
BARCLAYCARD
BARCLAYS
BARING INSULATION
BARNARDOS
BD RECRUITMENT LTD
BDS MORTGAGE GROUP
BETFAIR
BETTER HOMES PROCLAD
BILL CUTTER
BIO PARTNERS LTD
BLUE SKY FINANCIAL CLAIMS
BLUEWATER HOME IMPROVEMENTS
BOND PARTNERS
BRITISH CONSUMERS
BRITISH GAS
BT CUSTOMER STREET
BUPA
BURNHILL LAND INVESTMENTS
BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICE
BUSINESS PHONES DIRECT
C R SMITH GLAZIERS (DUNFERMLINE) LTD
CALL CONNECTION LTD
CANCER RESEARCH UK
CAP ONE
CAPITAL 1
CAPITAL ONE
CAR PROTECT
CARAVAN GUARD INSURANCE
CARBON EQUITIES
CARD PROTECTION PLAN
CARD SAVE
CARELINE SERVICES LTD
CARILLION ENERGY SERVICES
CARLTON FUELS
CARTRIDGE WORLD
CAS MEDIA
CASTLE COVER
CCA INTERNATIONAL UK LTD
CELLCOM COMMUNICATIONS LTD
CENTO CLIENT REVIEW
CENTRAL CAPITAL LIMITED
CENTRAL CLAIMS GROUP
CENTURY LAND GROUP
CETAFONE
CHAMELEON TELESALES LTD
CHANCE CURTIS
CHASE TEMPLETON LTD
CHILDREN IN CRISIS
CHRISTIAN AID
CHRISTIES KITCHENS (UK) LIMITED
CHURCHWOOD FINANCIAL
CIA INSURANCE SERVICES LIMITED
CICADA INVESTMENTS LIMITED
CLAIM PROFESSIONALS
CLARITY
CLARITY EMPLOYMENT FOR BLIND PEOPLE
CLEAN GREEN UPGRADES
CLEAR CONTACT
CLICK CONNECT
CLICK FINANCIAL LTD
CLIENT CONNECTION LTD
CLOSE CREDIT MANAGEMENT LTD
CLUB LA COSTA (UK) PLC
COCA COLA ENTERPRISES
COLT TELECOMMUNICATIONS
COMANTRA
COMFOMATIC LTD
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DIRECT INS SERV LTD
COMPARE THE MARKET.COM
CONSERVATION CARBON CREDITS
CONSORTIUM RECLAIM
CONSUMER LIFE STYLES
CONSUMER LIFESTYLES
CONSUMER MONEY MATTERS
CONTINENTAL TELECOM LTD
CONVERSO CONTACT CENTRES
CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC
CPM
CPM UK LTD
CPP GROUP
CR SMITH
CREAM PUBLISHING LTD
CREDIT SAFE
CRISIS
CURVED AIR MARKETING SOLUTIONS LTD
DAISY COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
DALESMAN PUBLISHING CO LTD
DASH TELECOM
DATA LOCATOR GROUP
DATA LOCATOR LTD
DEBENHAMS
DEBT ADVISORY LINE
DEBT CORRECT LTD
DEBT FREE HELPLINE LTD
DEBT MADE SIMPLE
DEBT MATTERS
DEBT SOLVE DIRECT
DEBT SURVIVAL (UK) LIMITED
DEBTCORRECT LIMITED
DEBTMATTERS
DENNIS PUBLISHING
DIGITAL MAINTENANCE LTD
DIGITAL SERVICES (UK) LTD
DIMENSION SECURITIES
DIRECT DEBT SOLUTIONS
DIRECT DIALOGUE
DIRECT FUELS
DIRECT RESPONSE
DIRECT SAVE TELECOM
DISCOVER FINANCE
DISTRIBUTION VERIFICATION SERVICES
DIVA TELECOM LTD
DLG
DM DESIGNS
DNA INSURANCE
DOCKLANDS TELECOM CENTER
DOG TRUST
DOMESTIC & GENERAL
DOMESTIC AND GENERAL INSULATION LTD
DOUBLE TAKE STUDIOS
DREAMWELL LTD
DRU YOGA
DTC Direct
DTD EUROPEAN SERVICES LTD
DUNN & BRADSTREET
DUNRAVEN WINDOWS
DUOTOOL LTD
E.D.F
EASY TALK
ECO GLOBAL MARKETS
ECO HOME SERVICES LTD
EDF
EDF ENERGY
E-GLAZE
ELM LEGAL SERVICES
Elswood Associates
ELSWORTH ASSOCIATES LTD
ELUCIDATE CONTRACTOR SERVICES (ECS) LTD
EMAX GROUP T/A EMAX COMMUNICATIONS
EMC ADVISORY SERVICES LTD
EMMAS DIARY
EMS INTERNET LTD
ENDSLEIGH INSURANCE SERVICES LTD
ENERGY HELPLINE
ENERGY LINKS HOME SAVE
ENTERPRISE CLEANING
ENVIRO ASSOCIATES
ENVIROSELECT
ENVIROSOLAR
EON
ESB INDEPENDENT ENERGY
ESURE
ESURE INSURANCE LTD
ETHICALL LTD
EURODEBT FINANCIAL SERVICES
EUROMEDIA ASSOCIATES LTD
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS LTD
EUROPLAS LTD
EUROSEAL WINDOWS
EVEREST
EVERGOOD ASSOCIATES
EVERYDAY FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
EVOLVE TELECOM
EXCELL CONTACT CENTRES
EXCHANGE ENTERPRISE LTD
EXIMIUS SOCIAL CARE
EXPERIENCES CONNECT LTD
EXPERTO CREDITE
EXPRESS GIFTS LTD
EXPRESS LAW
EXTEND A ROOM LTD
EYG
EZE TALK LTD
FASCIA DIRECT
FEATURE HOMES
FINE WINES OF THE WORLD
FINISHING TOUCHES
FIRST ASSIST GROUP LTD
FIRST CALL
FIRST CHOICE HOME IMPROVEMENTS
FIRST CLAIMS SOULUTIONS
FIRST FOUND
FIRST FOUND
FIRST NATIONAL BANK PLC
FIRST QUOTE INSURANCE
FIRST SOLAR ENERGY
FIRST STEP FINANCE
FIRST STOP FINANCE LTD
FIRSTASSIST GROUP LTD
FIRSTFOUND
FLAGSHIP MEDIA GROUP LTD
FONE HOUSE
FONEHOUSE
FOXY COMMUNICATIONS
FRANKLINCOVEY EUROPE LTD
FREEMANS PLC
FRESH START
FRESH START LIVING
FRIDAY AD LTD
FULCRUM MEDIA
FUNDRAISING INNOVATIONS LTD
FUTURE HOMES
GCS RECRUITMENT LTD
GEMS HYGIENE SUPPLIES DIRECT
GENESIS ACCIDENT CLAIMS
GIANT GROUP PLC
GILT EDGE PROMOTIONS LTD
GIORDANO UK DIRECT
GMAC RESIDENTIAL FUNDING
GRADWELL
GRAPEVINE GROUP
GRATTAN
GREEN PLANET INVESTMENT
GREENPEACE UK LTD
GROLIER BOOKS
GROVE COMMUNICATIONS
GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION
GYM CO UK
HALO MOBILE
HAMILTON BLAKE
HAMMER PROPERTIES
HAMPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
HAQ PUBLISHING LTD
HARRINGTON BROOKS
HASTINGS DIRECT
HAVEN POWER LTD
HEALTHYDAYS LIMITED
HEATH LAMBERT GROUP
HELP PC ONLINE LTD
HIDDEN HEARING LTD
HOME FIX 247
HOME SERVICE (GB) LTD
HOMEGUARD DIRECT
HOMESERVE
HORIZON FINANCE
HOT HOUSE ROOF & ENERGY
HYPE BRANDING
IDEAL CLEANING SERVICES
IDEAL HOMES
IDEAL SOLAR ENERGY
INSIDE TRACK
JD WILLIAMS
JUMP UP MEDIA
KAFEVEND GROUP LTD
KALEIDOSCOPE
KINGFISHER TELECOM
LA RADOUTE
LARKIN WINDOWS
LIFESTYLE CLAIMS LTD
LIFESTYLE GROUP
LINK FINANCIAL SERVICE
LISTEN UK
LITTLEWOODS GROUP
LOGIN4SPEED
LOVE FILM UK LTD
LOWRI BECK SERVICES
LYONS DAVIDSON
MAKE MY HOLIDAYS
MARCHES ENERGY AGENCY
MARK INSULATION LIMITED
MATCHTECH GROUP
MONEY HEALTH CHECK
MORTGAGE ADVICE SERVICES
MORTGAGE MATTERS
MOTORWAY DIRECT WARRANTY
MY HOUSE GROUP
N.POWER
NATIONAL TRUST
NATIONWIDE ENERGY SERVICES
NO WORRIES LOANS
NORTON FINANCE (UK) LTD
NPOWER
NSQUARED CREATIONS LIMITED
NUNWOOD CONSULTING LTD
OASIS
ON GUARD 24
ONE TWO ONE CUSTOMER INSIGHT
ONLINE PC MASTERS
OPAL TELECOM
OPTICAL EXPRESS LIMITED
OPUS TELECOM LTD
ORANGE
OTTO UK
OXFAM
PAYDAY UK
PENICUIK HOME IMPROVEMENTS
PHOENIX INSURANCE
PHONE HOUSE
PITNEY BOWES LIMITED
PITNEY BOWES LTD
PLUSNET
POWERGEN
PREMIUM STAR LTD
PROMISE FINANCE
PRS FOR MUSIC
PURPLE PIG CLAIMS
QUICK QUID
QUICKQUID
READERS DIGEST
REDRESS CLAIMS
RESPONDEZ
RIGHT TO HEALTH
ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE PLC
ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND
RSPCA
SAFE STYLE
SAFESTYLE UK
Sanderson Blinds
SAVE THE CHILDREN
SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY
SCOTTISH POWER
SENIOR RESPONSE LTD
SERIF (EUROPE) LTD
SHINE TELECOM LTD
SHOP DIRECT HOME SHOPPING LTD
SKY TELEVISION
SOLATRICITY LTD
SPACE DESIGNS
SPACE KITCHENS
ST JOHN SECURITY INSTALLATIONS LTD
STERLING INSURANCE GROUP
STIRLING HEALTH
SUMMIT ROOFGUARD
SUPREME O GLAZE LTD
SUPREMOGLAZE
SWIFTCOVER INSURANCE
SWITCH GAS AND ELECTRIC
SYGMA BANK UK
TALK MOBILE
TALK TALK
TALK TALK BUSINESS
TALK TALK MOBILE
TALKNTALK3
TAMESIDE INSULATIONS
TAMESIDE INSULATIONS
TELEGEN UK LTD
TELEPERFORMANCE UK
THAMESIDE INSULATION
THE BOTTOM LINE (GB) LIMITED
THE CUSTOMER ADVICE CENTRE
THE LISTENING COMPANY
THE MONEY GROUP LTD
THE MONEY MANAGER GROUP
THE WHEELIE BIN & WINDOW CLEANING COMPANY
THOMAS SANDERSON BLINDS LTD
THOMSON DIRECTORIES LTD
THUS PLC
TIMESHARE RESALES CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
TISCALI UK LTD
TOP SPOT MARKETING LTD
TOUCAN CLAIMS
TRANSNATIONAL CORP LTD
TRUST INHERITANCE
TSC
TSC TELEMARKETING LTD
TUCAN CLAIMS
TULIP (UK) LTD
TV PROTECT
TW0 TOUCH
TWENTY FOUR TALK
UK TODAY
UKML
VACATION CLUB 4U
VANQUIS BANK LTD
VIEWLINE NORTHWEST LIMITED
VIKING DIRECT
VINANCE PLC
VITAMINS DIRECT LTD
VOICE MARKETING LIMITED
VONAGE UK
W.D.S. ASSOCIATES
WADE AND CO FINANCIAL CLAIMS MANAGEMENT
WDS ASSOCIATES
WE CLAIM U GAIN LTD
WE FIGHT ANY CLAIM
WEATHERSEAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS
WIGHT CABLE LTD
WORKWEAR EXPRESS LTD
WORLD VILLAGES FOR CHILDREN
WORLD VISION
XLN TELECOM LTD
XPRESSION WEB SOLUTIONS
ZEBRA MONEY MANAGEMENT
In total, there are 440 entries in this list. The names range from well-known, generally reputable companies through charities to obvious scammers and shysters. I’ll leave it to you to decide which category each of them falls into, but I was amused by the fact that the alphabetical listing puts “WE CLAIM U GAIN LTD” next to “WE FIGHT ANY CLAIM”. There would be a certain amount of poetic justice if those two ended up battling each other over a claim brought for breach of the TPS.
Even allowing for the fact that some complaints will be misdirected or spurious, though, this is still an excellent list of companies that probably don’t deserve to get your business. Stick with suppliers who advertise their wares and services legally.