Ask Gulf News: How to report illegal telemarketing calls in the UAE

Dubai: Unwanted promotional calls remain one of the biggest frustrations for UAE mobile users. To protect consumers from spam and unauthorised marketing, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) launched the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR) in September 2022.

The nationwide service allows residents to block all telemarketing calls and messages, creating a safer and more secure communication environment.

What the DNCR does

The DNCR is designed to stop unsolicited marketing calls, SMS and emails. Once your number is registered, businesses and telemarketers are strictly prohibited from contacting you - even if you previously gave consent. This applies to calls made from business landlines, mobile numbers, and personal numbers used by individual agents.

Any phone number that violates these rules can face telecom service suspension and may be reported to authorities.

As of the August 2023 update, individuals listed under the DNCR should not receive any promotional calls at all. If you still receive marketing calls, you are entitled to file a complaint against the business.

Telemarketing rules in the UAE

Telemarketing is legal in the UAE but heavily regulated under Cabinet Resolution No. (56) of 2024. Key rules include:

• Marketing calls are allowed only between 9am and 6pm.

• If you decline or disconnect, the telemarketer cannot call you back.

• Individuals are prohibited from using their personal mobile or landline numbers to make marketing calls.

• Promotional calls from a personal mobile number are illegal. If you receive one, send an SMS with “Report 05XXXXXXXX” to 1012.

How to register your number in the DNCR

Registering is free and takes only a few minutes.

For e& (Etisalat) customers

Register through the official link:
etisalat.ae/b2c/doNotDisturb.html

For du customers

You can register through any of these methods:

• Use the Marketing Preference section in the du app or My Account

• Send “Block” or “DNCR” to 1012

• To register a landline, send “DNCR” from the mobile number linked to the same account (landline must start with 9712/9714/9716)

For Virgin Mobile customers

• Open the Virgin Mobile app

• Go to Settings

• Select Manage third-party voice calls

• Enable the toggle to join the DNCR

Stay protected

Once added, your number stays on the DNCR indefinitely until you choose to remove it. You will still receive essential service messages from your mobile provider, but marketing calls will be blocked, giving you full control over who can contact you.

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