Block spam calls for free in UAE: All you need to know about new service

The Dubai Economy on October 13 had said it received 753 complaints against 'annoying' promotional calls in the past five months

By Web Desk

Published: Sat 5 Nov 2022, 12:50 PM

Last updated: Sat 5 Nov 2022, 4:54 PM

If you have been receiving telemarketing and promotional calls from businesses, you can avoid them by registering your phone number in the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR).

Registering for the Do Not Call Registry is free and has no expiry. You can register your home, business and mobile number on this registry.

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Here is all you need to know about the registry:

Registering

To block telemarketing and promotional calls, you can send an SMS to 1012 with 'DNCR’ for your number to be added to the DNCR Registry.

Checking status

To unblock calls, please SMS ‘UDNCR’ to 1012. Similarly, you may send an SMS to 1012 with ‘Check IDNCR’ to inquire about your number’s status.

Updates

You would not be required to update anything on the registry. Your number will be removed if it has been reassigned or if you have asked for its removal.

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Time until activation

Once registered, your number will be updated in the registry immediately. It will take about 30 days before telemarketeers avoid calling your number.

Blocking calls

The registry cannot prevent unsolicited promotional calls, however, it will share a list of numbers with telemarketers telling them to avoid calling those numbers.

Businesses can choose to ignore this list, but, you can register a complaint against them by calling 101 for Consumer or 800 5800 for Business, following which necessary actions will be taken.

Is it permitted for them to call you?

If you have given your consent while conducting business with them, they can contact you to provide you with updates and promotional content. You can withdraw your consent from them by informing the company directly, in such cases.

Receiving promotional calls after registering?

If you are receiving calls after 30 days of registering for DNCR and have not given the company explicit consent to contact you, you can register a complaint.

You may raise a complaint by calling Customer Care at 101 for personal numbers or 800 5800 for business numbers, following which necessary actions will be taken.

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750 complaints against 'annoying' promotional calls

The Dubai Economy on October 13 had said it received 753 complaints against "annoying" promotional calls in the past five months.

Residents have started filing such complaints since the regulator's Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) department launched the “Do Not Disturb” smart service launched by the department earlier this year.

The initiative was aimed at protecting the public from unwanted promotional calls made by businesses or third-party marketing agencies.