Daily, many people face intrusive telemarketing calls, despite measures like the Bloctel do-not-call list. To combat this, individuals are exploring various strategies. Effective methods include blocking specific phone prefixes associated with telemarketing, reporting spam SMS by forwarding them to 33 700, and invoking GDPR rights to remove personal data from telemarketers. By adopting these techniques, individuals can significantly reduce unwanted calls and regain their peace of mind, although vigilance is necessary as telemarketers adapt their methods.
Combatting Unwanted Telemarketing Calls
Each day, countless individuals are plagued by unsolicited commercial calls. From energy promotions to insurance pitches and financial investment offers, these intrusive interruptions disrupt our lives. Although legislative efforts, such as the introduction of a do-not-call list known as Bloctel, aim to mitigate this issue, these measures often fall short, and unwanted calls persistently invade our daily routine.
Effective Strategies to Stop Telemarketers
In response to this barrage of unwanted calls, many are exploring effective ways to reclaim their peace. While some choose to respond with humor or pranks, others opt for more serious approaches, which may not always yield results. After experimenting with various tactics, one individual shared his success with the media outlet Les Numériques. Here, we highlight three effective strategies that he found useful.
One of the most reliable methods is to block phone prefixes associated with telemarketing. As of January 1, 2023, certain prefixes have been designated for commercial calls in France. By identifying these prefixes and saving them under a single contact titled “Unwanted Calls,” you can conveniently block them all at once. To set this up, open your “Contacts” app and create a new contact named “Unwanted Calls.” Then, add the following prefixes for mainland France: 0162, 0163, 0270*, 0271*, 0377*, 0378*, 0424*, 0425*, 0568*, 0569*, 0948*, 0949***. For overseas departments, include 09475, 09476, 09477*, 09478*, and 09479***. Remember to save the contact, ensuring you include the asterisks, which block all numbers starting with those prefixes, and then proceed to block this contact.
Telemarketing isn’t confined to phone calls; spam SMS messages are also a significant nuisance. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to report these unwanted texts and help tackle this issue. If you receive a suspicious SMS, simply forward it to 33 700. This complimentary service enables carriers to identify and eliminate abusive senders. Additionally, it’s advisable to manually block the sender’s number through your phone settings.
If a commercial call manages to reach you, there’s a quick and effective way to respond: invoke the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As soon as the caller begins their pitch, assertively state, “I oppose any processing of my personal data and request the immediate deletion of my number from your records, as per Article 21 of the GDPR.” This statement often prompts telemarketers to end the call and remove your number from their lists.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly decrease the number of unwanted calls and regain tranquility in your life. However, it is essential to remain vigilant, as telemarketers continually develop new tactics to circumvent these blocks.