UAE Telemarketing Rules: How to Report Calls from Personal Numbers

 

Illegal Telemarketing Calls in the UAE

Since August 2024, the UAE has implemented strict regulations prohibiting telemarketers from using personal mobile numbers for promotional calls. These regulations, introduced by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), aim to protect residents from unsolicited marketing calls.

How to Report Marketing Calls from Personal Numbers

If you receive a telemarketing call from a personal number, you can report it easily:

1. Send an SMS with ‘Report 05XXXXXXXX’ to 1012.

2. Replace ‘05XXXXXXXX’ with the offending mobile number.

Legal Framework and Penalties

Under the Cabinet resolution on telemarketing regulations:

• Personal numbers cannot be used for marketing calls, even for business-related promotions.

• Only local numbers registered under a company’s commercial license are permitted for telemarketing.

Penalties for Violations:

• Dh75,000 fine for unregistered numbers.

• Dh5,000 fine and service disconnection for first-time offenders using personal numbers.

• Repeat offences can lead to fines of up to Dh50,000 and a ban from obtaining telecom services in the UAE.

Understanding the Kashif Feature

Introduced in 2022 by TDRA, the Kashif feature displays the name of the calling company on your screen. This enables users to identify the caller and avoid anonymous or misleading calls.

Mandatory Usage:

• All private companies and institutions are required to activate Kashif for customer communications.

Stay vigilant and report any unauthorized marketing calls to ensure compliance and protect your privacy. The TDRA continues to enforce these regulations to maintain a secure and hassle-free communication environment in the UAE.

 

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