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A complete guide on how to prevent unwanted telemarketing or sales calls ringing up your UAE phone number - through DNCR
26 June 2024
| Last updated on 30 October 2024
Tired of persistent telemarketing calls trying to sell you something? Our guide has you covered.
No one likes an unwanted sales call trying to push you to buy a product or a service. In the UAE, every resident with a working phone number has received at least one unsolicited telemarketer call.
While you can block an individual caller, they might still attempt to contact you again using a different number. If you want to cut persistent cold calls out in general, then we recommend registering your number to UAE's Do Not Call Registry.
What is the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR)?
Launched in September 2022 nationwide, the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR) is a directory of UAE phone numbers who are not interested in receiving telemarketing calls.
By law, telemarketers are prohibited from calling your number once it's been registered in the DNCR.
Is it free to join DNCR?
Yes, joining the DNCR directory is free of charge.
How long can my number stay in the DNCR list?
Once you've successfully registered your phone number in the DNCR directory, your contact number will remain in it unless you choose to remove the number from the registry or your number becomes invalid/disconnected.
Can I still receive telemarketing calls even though I'm in the DNCR?
Unless you've given clear consent to receive promotional calls, telemarketers are not allowed to contact your number after it's been added to the Do Not Call Registry.
How to register a UAE phone number to the Do Not Call Registry?
For du users:
If your phone number is serviced by du, you can register your number in the DNCR list via:
- The Marketing Preference option through your du My Account Portal account or the du app.
- Or, send an SMS to 1012 with the text "block" or "DNCR".
For Etisalat users:
You can register your Etisalat phone number in the Do Not Call Registry by:
- Visiting the official Etisalat website: https://www.etisalat.ae/b2c/doNotDisturb.html (Simply add your Etisalat number and you'll receive an OTP code to confirm registration.)
- Or, send an SMS to 1012 with the text "block" or "DNCR".
For Virgin Mobile UAE users:
Virgin Mobile UAE phone numbers can be added to the Do Not Call Registry through the official Virgin Mobile UAE app.
Simply head to your app settings, go to 'Manage third party voice calls', enable the toggle, and tap 'Confirm' to register your number in the DNCR.
What happens if telemarketers contact a DNCR phone number?
Telemarketers are prohibited by UAE law to call phone numbers registered in the country's DNCR directory.
Any company that violates the rules will have their telecommunications services revoked and further reported to the UAE authorities.
If your number is registered and you still receive an unsolicited sales call, you can report the cold caller to the concerned authorities.
UAE government tightens rules on telemarketing calls
The Ministry of Economy, and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) announced stricter penalties for persistent cold calling in the UAE upwards to AED 150,000 fines and partial suspension of business operations, cancellation of license, the firm's telecommunication services being blocked for a year, or even the risk of closure.
What are the UAE's guidelines on cold calling?
Below are the UAE's latest telemarketing rules, which comes into effect from mid-2024. The new guidelines include:
- Telemarketing calls can only be made between 9AM - 6PM. Cold calls outside of these hours are prohibited.
- Firms must obtain prior approval from authorities to carry out telemarketing calls.
- Businesses are not allowed to call a customer again if the customer rejected the service or product in the initial conversation.
- Telemarketers cannot call back on the same day if the customer has declined or ended the phone call.
- Telemarketing calls can only be made from phone numbers registered under the name of licensed UAE companies, not under personal numbers.
Customers can file a complaint if any of these telemarketing protocols are breached.
How should I report cold callers in the UAE?
"If you receive a call from a company, you have to report to the entity concerned. For example, if it is related to a bank, you have to approach the Central Bank to file a complaint. If it is related to investment, securities and commodities, then it is Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)," said Mohammad Al Ramsi, Deputy Director-General of the TDRA's telecommunications sector.
If a telemarketer is using his or her personal mobile number to call you and try to sell you something, then you can report them to TDRA.
How to Report Sales Calls Received From a Personal UAE Number?
If you receive an unwanted sales call from the telemarketer's personal mobile number, here's how you can quickly and easily report it to the TDRA via SMS.
- First, double check if it's from the sales caller's personal number (a.k.a, the unknown caller isn't displaying a company name).
- Open your phone's messages app.
- Text "REPORT" along with the mobile number. For example, it will be "REPORT 05XXXXXXX".
- Send the text to 1012.
You will receive a text message from your telecommunications provider confirming that they've received your complaint.
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