Telephone canvassing in France: block numbers containing these digits immediately

Telephone canvassing is a blight in France. Here is one way to get rid of it: if an incoming number contains these digits, block it straight away.

Telephone canvassing is a sales practice in which consumers are contacted by phone and offered products or services - which they have not necessarily requested. While some calls may prove helpful, others are regarded as a nuisance and an invasion of privacy. Although canvassing has been prohibited since 11 August, questionable methods are unfortunately likely to continue.

As unsolicited calls become increasingly common, consumers need to take steps to protect their peace and quiet. The Bloctel register is not especially effective, but it is now possible to spot professional canvassers and ignore their calls.

Telephone canvassing rules

Since 1 March 2023, telephone canvassing aimed at consumers has been subject to tighter rules under the law of 24 July 2020, which was introduced to regulate canvassing and combat fraudulent calls. Businesses wishing to contact potential customers by telephone must comply with several requirements or risk financial penalties.

This is not an exhaustive list:

• Do not call people registered on Bloctel, the telephone canvassing opt-out list
• Do not call people outside the permitted time slots (Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 8 pm)
• Do not call people from a withheld number
• Do not call people using a number beginning with 06 or 07
• Do not call people more than four times a month to promote the same offer

Energy-renovation calls are prohibited

The energy-renovation sector is a special case: call centres have absolutely no right to canvass French residents. Whatever the breach, canvassers may face fines running into tens - or even hundreds - of thousands of euros. Sadly, this does not always discourage them from operating illegally.

Filter suspicious telephone numbers

Call centres must now use telephone prefixes set by the government for their activities. If you no longer want to answer unsolicited calls, simply filter numbers beginning with the prefixes below. When an incoming call starts with one of these prefixes, all you need to do is block it. It will then have no opportunity to call you again.

• Mainland France: 0162, 0163, 0270, 0271, 0377, 0378, 0424, 0425, 0568, 0569, 0948, 0949
• Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy: 09475
• French Guiana: 09476
• Martinique: 09477
• Réunion and Mayotte: 09478 and 09479

Blocking telemarketing calls as they arrive

Distinguishing fraudulent calls from legitimate ones will not be straightforward. The easiest approach is to keep an up-to-date note of these numbers somewhere readily available on your phone. You can also block them one by one to put a permanent stop to telephone canvassing. Keep one thing in mind: if a call centre contacts you, you should end the conversation quickly - while remaining polite, so as not to incur its wrath.

Finally, be aware that you can use specialist apps, particularly Saracroche, which works very well.