Telephone canvassing continues despite the increasingly strict regulations put in place.
Some companies do not respect the rules and are in the sights of fraud repression.
A fine of 125,000 euros has just been imposed on an insurance company which approached individuals on the red list.
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The 8 p.m.
These individuals thought they would be protected from telephone canvassing by registering on Bloctel, an opposition list which allows them to protect themselves. But, “Unfortunately, the calls continue. We don't really know why. We don't know how they get our number, so it's a bit annoying”, complains a passerby in the TF1 report above. “Because what's more, they're smart now, they call with 06. But for me, as soon as it's a number that's not in my directory, I don't answer anymore. Because 9 times out of 10, It’s advertising.”adds another.
Public authorities must adopt a default ban on cold calling, without the prior consent of consumers.
Cédric Mussot, director of political action, at UFC-Que Choisir
The Bloctel system is obviously not very effective. But, for the first time, the DGCCRF imposed a heavy fine on an insurance company which had approached individuals registered on this red list. One euro per call, or in total, 124,899 euros. Based in Lyon, the company that the TF1 news attempted to contact has been sanctioned for breaking the law. For Emma Leoty, a lawyer specializing in consumer law, this fine is a big step. “It is a concrete measure which is taken by the DGCCRF. It is an administrative fine which is pronounced against a company. It is a huge step forward that there is a sanction by the DGCCRF because 'in reality, once the consumer is registered on the Bloctel list, for three years, he must not be disturbed, he must not be the subject of telephone canvassing', she explains.
Bloctel, how does it work? It's up to you to register so as not to be canvassed. Bloctel then transmits this information to the call centers which are supposed to no longer contact you. An insufficient system for the UFC-Que Choisir. “We see that the exasperation continues, the untimely canvassing continues, so we clearly need to go further and the public authorities must adopt the default ban on cold calling unless prior consent of consumers”, insists Cédric Mussot, director of political action.
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We remind you that since last year, telephone canvassing has been regulated. Authorized during the week, but only from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is also prohibited on weekends. Since the launch of Bloctel three years ago, only 6 million French people have registered.
