A raw figure to start: nearly 80% of consumers registered on opposition lists continue to receive telemarketing calls. The system is not as airtight as one might think, and some companies know very well how to slip through the cracks.
Registering on Bloctel does not provide an absolute barrier against telemarketing calls. Several types of numbers, starting with those that begin with 09, as well as certain organizations benefiting from exemptions, are still perfectly allowed to contact you. As a result, the promised protective effect is eroding, leaving the field open to many solicitations.
See also : Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Home Costs in Morocco in 2024
The exceptions outlined in the law open the door to circumvented practices. At the same time, there is a range of tools and platforms, often unknown to the general public, that allow users to report or block unwanted calls. But due to a lack of information, many continue to suffer from real phone harassment, even though effective solutions are within reach.
Telemarketing numbers: how to spot them and why it’s better to stay vigilant
In the face of the increasing number of unwanted calls and the increasingly persistent telemarketing, caution is no longer an option. Unknown numbers, sometimes generated by computer, sometimes disguised under local prefixes or 09 numbers, are becoming more ingenious in breaching our defenses. On Android, the Phone app offers some barriers: automatic identification of spam calls and blocking of certain contacts. But scammers evolve, their methods improve, and filtering does not always keep pace.
Recommended read : Discover the best tech services for geeks and digital enthusiasts
Observe each number that appears on your screen. If the series of digits seems strange, if the number is unknown or hidden, suspicion is warranted. Operators also use secret codes or USSD codes (for example, #06# to obtain the IMEI, #07# to check the DAS) to provide technical information. But they never request your personal data over the phone. As for MMI codes and IHM, they unlock advanced functions on smartphones, reserved for knowledgeable users.
The resemblance between certain service numbers and those used for telemarketing blurs the lines. Take 3900: it is indeed an official assistance number. This number will never be misused to extract sensitive information. Be wary of calls that borrow its identity or that of other services, with the aim of trapping you or encouraging you to call premium-rate numbers.
Smartphone manufacturers, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, equip their models with native anti-spam features. With the diversity of systems (Android, iOS), the abundance of applications, and the differences in legal frameworks in Europe, protection remains imperfect. Opening the door to suspicious telemarketing validates your number and risks a resurgence of calls. Indifference often remains the best response.
Effectively protecting yourself against unwanted calls: simple solutions and practical advice to adopt daily
Taking action against unwanted calls involves concrete steps. Most smartphones allow you to block a number in just a few seconds: open your phone app, locate the troublesome call in your history, then select the block option. Instantly, that contact will no longer have access to your line. Automatic filters, integrated into some models, automatically detect numbers reported as fraudulent and block them even before the first ring.
Here are some reflexes to adopt to strengthen your protection:
- Use the reporting feature available on your phone for every suspicious call. This helps improve the detection of malicious numbers at the collective level.
- Consider hiding your number, especially during sensitive transactions, by dialing #31# before calling. Your identity remains confidential.
Stay vigilant about the protection of your personal data. Never share confidential information over the phone, even if your interlocutor claims to be from a known service. Social networks and the dark web are sources of supply for number collectors: once your number is in circulation, it risks fueling a whole chain of automated calls or scams.
Dive into the advanced settings of your phone: some models offer the ability to customize call blocking based on time, origin, or frequency. Keep your security updates active and limit sharing your number to trusted individuals. A little rigor is enough to clean up your digital daily life.
Everyone can tighten the net. One action, one report, daily vigilance: this is what makes life much more difficult for those who thrive on ambiguity. Unwanted calls only have the power that we allow them.