08453130337

I had 2 calls on sat 3/12/11 at 8pm and then subsequently at 8.15pm.  when I answered the guy introduced himself and spoke a great deal so fast not even giving me a chance to cut him off. He said he was from populous and was conducting a survey in which he wanted to speak to the youngest male aged 18 or over or under, not sure now. I refused.
Another male then called back again and I explained to him I had already been called 10 mins before and could they remove my number as i really didn't wish to participate in any surveys. He said he would remove my details and I promptly hung up.
When i dialed 1471 to retrieve the number the guy was still on the phone!

Recieved call from a lady from Populus saying call regarding market research, call was around 815pm while spending time with family and watching a programme and dont her just that ...did not want to be interrupted while being with family and watching my fav programme so told her not interested. Infact please do not call again ..its annoying!

Just had one from this number- a company called Populus Ltd doing a survey on local supermarkets (of which there's only one, but two others are planning to move in, so I guess one of them hired this lot)

they use a number calling system so ex-directory numbers/ normal telephone numbers  can be used they basically use all numbers but change one number on the dialling system (so is completely random) if you want them to stop calling your specific number advise the person that calls that you wish to be removed from their number data base and they will register your number as a dead number (for their company)

they don't sell you anything (so not sales related) it is simply research among a large amount of topics (the staff their get a bonus if they get a certain amount of surveys during their shift (so in essence if you got 5-10 min what harm can it do to give them a hand? (not the company but the poor shmo that works their))

TPS only stops marketing (sales calls not research calls, annoying yes but there is a difference)

populus office hours are 9am - 9pm mon-fri sat/sun 10-6pm

advise dont say call back later if you dont want them to randomly call you (can be anything from 10min later to few hours later) like the other poster says just tell them to remove your number from their databases

Yup, the person above has it spot on. I know, as I used to be one of the poor schmos that work there.

When they call, ask to be added to the "do not call" list. If you receive another call from them after that, they can be fined for it.

Had a call from this number, they left a message but it was just a random tune like a game soundtrack then the dead line noise. Very odd.

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BEWARE  -  IT'S AN IDENTITY THEFT SCAM.

TELL THEM NOTHING.

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You are a [***] they ask for the youngest male aged OVER 18....

Can't believew you have read through this thread just to leave an abusive post to someone who posted six months ago. I hope no-one calls YOU a [***] because you misshear something or are slightly deaf.

Very persistent about wanting to talk to adult with next birthday

If they call you again, just ask what they will do with the information you give them.

As I said on the 28th (above), it's a clever scam to slowly steal your identity.

Tell them to f*** off.

It really isn't. It's market research. I used to work there.

The TFL survey is a weird one - the interviewers have to ask for the person aged over 18 who has their birthday next. Something to do with the results being aggregated quarterly.  Usually, they just ask to speak to anyone over 18.

Anyway, I can guarantee you it's not a slow, subtle identity scam.  That's just paranoid and weird.

Got a call at 12noon on Sunday 5/2/12  from this company.  It sounded autodialled as I had to wait a few seconds for someone to come on the phone once I answered.   I explained I was registered with TPS, was ex-directory and didn't want or expect to receive unwanted calls.  The lady said it was market research and they can ring who they like as they are exempt from TPS.  I said tough I still don't want to speak to you and hung up!!

I am fed up of these people calling me - I wish their company would go under and they can leave people alone

When I got home this evening, I found that the number 08453 130337 had called me at 12.15 p.m. My son, a recent graduate, has a student loan. I'm also ex-directory, so the SLC probably provided  my number as well. I tried calling the number & got a recorded message to the effect that the caller was a market research co called Populus, regarding a survey. There was no provision for me to leave a message or to speak to a person.
Just googled them & found this land line number: 0191-265 0525. Called it & spoke to a young woman. I asked her how they obtained my number, she said they were randomly generated. I told her I didn't want any more calla from them & she agreed to mark my number "do not call."

didn't know who this was, didn't answer due to the number of numbers that call me for money, harassing me or other reasons.

looked on here, saw people saying populous and asking for surveys.

i will let you know now, they are genuine, i have dealt with them in the past, when i say dealt i mean actually did a survey for them, as they had actually knocked on my door and i thought hell couldn't hurt plus i was bored that day anyway.

did the survey left all the contact numbers and was told i would receive gift vouchers for my survey, couple days later i received gift vouchers in the post which i spent and were accepted.

so of course, it is up to you what you do but that is my experience with them.

just hung up

dialed by number that hung up when answered

I was called by Populus last week. They called while I was out. I looked up the number (a geographical number) & called. I told them I didn't want any more calls from them & they agreed to mark my number as "don't call". Now they've called again from this 0845 number. Any idea what I can do now?