Unwanted calls have become a real plague of the telecommunications era. All it takes is for the phone to ring and instinctively we tend to answer, but often we find ourselves in front of a call center that proposes yet another offer or a robotic voice that tries to convince us to purchase a service. Wild telemarketing seems to be an invasive method that cannot be stopped. In many cases it tends to violate the privacy of users and then result in scams and frauds. But why does this practice continue to be used despite the numerous complaints? What happened to the long-awaited second version of the Opposition Register ? And above all, what can we do to defend ourselves from these unwanted calls?
Unwanted Calls Effectively Defend Yourself From Wild Telemarketing
Why does wild telemarketing persist and how does it work?
Wild telemarketing is a direct phone number database marketing strategy that consists of contacting potential customers by telephone without obtaining their prior consent. Operators use lists of telephone numbers acquired from specialized companies or obtained through the use of automated methodologies. This practice is widespread due to the relatively low costs and the possibility of reaching a large audience of potential customers, often circumventing privacy and competition laws . It is important to underline that the application of controls and sanctions against irregular operators is often a complex process.
digital marketing strategies for lead generation: leveraging the power of geofencing marketing Despite the innovations brought by AI in the field of marketing and the recent entry into force of the new Code of Conduct , the annoying phenomenon of wild telemarketing continues to annoy users. The Code, approved by the Privacy Guarantor, provides for a series of measures to combat these invasive practices , such as the creation of a black-list, the definition of the roles and responsibilities of companies and call centers, the obligation to acquire specific consent from users and the introduction of sanctions for illegitimate contacts. However, in practice, these measures are encountering several difficulties.
Register of Oppositions: the legal solution to block unwanted calls
The Register of Oppositions is a tool that offers users the possibility of countering unwanted calls by revoking previously granted consent. Operators are therefore required to consult the Register before launching advertising campaigns. However, one of the main obstacles concerns the application times that are often excessively long.
Furthermore, there are difficulties in reaching an agreement between the different parties involved on how to apply the Code. Large advertising companies are reluctant to limit their activities, while many operators continue to adopt evasive techniques such as using foreign numbers to mask calls. Furthermore, the difficulties of control and sanctions across the border make it difficult to apply the Italian rules.
How to register in the Register of Oppositions
To protect yourself from annoying unwanted phone calls, you can register with the Register of Oppositions. Registration allows you to cancel the consents previously granted for telemarketing and the sharing of personal data with third parties for promotional purposes. Once registered, you will only receive authorized calls relating to active contracts or those terminated no more than 30 days ago, and those for which the interested party has given specific consent after the date of registration with the RPO. You can register in three ways:
– By filling out a form available on the dedicated Registry website ;
– By calling the dedicated toll-free number 800 957 766 from a landline or 06 42986411 from a mobile;
Filter app to protect you from unwanted calls
Another way to protect yourself is to use filter apps available for iOS and Android. These apps allow you to create a blacklist of numbers to automatically block, preventing your phone from ringing or receiving notifications. The apps rely on reports from users , who can share suspicious or annoying numbers with an online group. In this way, the apps are able to recognize and filter spam calls based on the database created by the users themselves. Some of the most popular apps for blocking unwanted calls are Call Blocker 4+ , Call Control , and Truecaller .
Automatic blocking of numbers not in the address book
An alternative could be to automatically block calls from numbers not in your address book. This method has proven to be highly effective agent email list in blocking unwanted calls from salespeople and telemarketers, ensuring complete protection . However, it carries the risk of missing important calls from friends, colleagues or potential customers not saved in your address book.
Take back control of your phone calls
In conclusion, unfortunately there are no perfect solutions to completely stop unwanted calls, but it is possible to adopt various tricks to mitigate their incidence. Signing up to the Regis