We have all asked ourselves at least once: How can we block unwanted sales calls?
"Hello, we need to update your banking information to avoid closing your accounts. Please provide us with your details."
Raise your hand if you, in the United Arab Emirates or even elsewhere, have ever answered one of these unwanted sales calls at some point.
This type of call can occur at any time of day, and whether you have an Etisalat, DU or Virgin phone number, they are almost always guaranteed to interrupt an important meeting or family time.
So, how can we stop this scourge of unwanted cold calls?
What is cold calling - and where do unwanted calls come from?
Unwanted calls can be telemarketing, call center or advertising calls, in which the caller attempts to sell you products or services, illegal recorded messages for services you have not subscribed to, or spam calls.
The growing use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows a single computer to make thousands of calls, as well as companies selling customer databases, has led to an increase in this type of call.
In 2021, The National discovered that batches of telephone numbers and other personal data were regularly being sold to various people, including real estate agents.
What laws are in force in the UAE?
In 2011, the UAE Central Bank banned cold calling, more commonly known as cold calling. This prevented banks and finance companies from offering loans and services to people who had not requested their services.
However, the practice is widespread in various forms - often under the pretext of encouraging people to accept special offers.
In real estate, it is widely used to promote rentals and properties for sale. In January 2022, the TDGRA (Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority) launched a service called
Kashif, which reveals caller identification information to the recipient before they answer the call by displaying the caller's name instead of only the number, even if the recipient has not saved the caller's number in their mobile phone (a service for private companies only, not individuals).
Individuals: what strategy can be used to combat cold calling?
The "Do Not Call" function (Do Not Call Registry) can block all unwanted calls. It has been in place since September 2022, and telecommunications providers are expected to have started sending messages to raise public awareness.
From now on, all telemarketers must obtain individuals' consent to make promotional calls. They are advised not to call telephone numbers listed in the DNCR directory without first obtaining the customer's consent.
People who do not comply with the rules will have their number revoked and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
How does it work?
It's simple. To register your mobile phone number, send an SMS containing the message "DNCR" to 1012. This applies to landline, business and mobile phone numbers. Registration is free and has no expiration date.
Once registered, your number is immediately updated in the registry, and you will stop receiving unsolicited promotional calls within 30 days of the registration date.
If you continue to receive a call from a telemarketer without your consent, you can file a complaint by calling Etisalat customer service at 101 for personal numbers or 800 5800 for business numbers. People with a DU number can file a complaint by calling 155/188 or by emailing
customer.care@du.ae for individuals and
care.business@du.ae for businesses.
You can unblock calls by sending an SMS containing "UDNCR" to 1012. You can also send an SMS to 1012 containing "Check IDNCR" to find out the status of your number.
Despite the challenges posed by cold calling, solutions have been implemented in the United Arab Emirates to combat this practice. Thanks to initiatives such as "Kashif" and the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR), residents have effective ways to block unsolicited calls. Telemarketers are also subject to strict regulations requiring individuals' prior consent for promotional calls. These measures aim to improve the user experience by reducing disruptions caused by unwanted calls. It is important to know about and use these resources to protect your privacy.
Merritt Group
