I RECEIVED a letter about from Electoral Services about changes being made but it was very poorly composed.

Regarding the open register, it stated: "Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed.” But then it goes on to say "Your details will not be on the open register. To be added to the open register please contact us (phone 01432 260170).”

A rather contradictory statement, but it is important people understand the open register is the one the council can legally sell to anyone.

Many companies that buy open registers then cross reference your name and address with the telephone directory and publish all your details on free-to-access websites (for example www.192.com).

These websites and other commercially available listings are used by cold callers hoping to sell you double glazing etc. More worryingly, these same listings are used by nuisance callers and scam agents contacting you with the intention of ripping you off, gaining your financial details, computer passwords etc.

Personally, I ask cold callers how they obtained my number. The reply, if they do not hang up on me, is invariably “from the electoral roll”. This is a bare-faced lie as the electoral roll does not record your phone number.

Help is at hand. You can request the electoral office at the town hall to remove your details from the open register. Thus your name and address will not be available for sale to nuisance callers and their ilk.

You will still be on the electoral register (at the town hall) which can only be viewed under supervision. It cannot be photographed or photocopied and it is not for sale.

I thank the member of staff at the Electoral Services office who explained the two types of register to me during a recent phone call.

BERNARD DALTON Greytree, Ross-on-Wye