French authorities have taken intrusive telemarketers seriously, imposing strict limits on working hours and threatening draconian penalties.
Decree No. 2022-1313 entered into force on March 1, 2023. It establishes new guidelines regarding the contact of telemarketers with the French. To protect consumer rights, telemarketers have only been allowed to call on certain days and times since March. Let’s analyze.
The new French law introduces no contact with telemarketers with consumers on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The changes also apply to calls made on weekdays. From now on, consultants can only call the French at certain times, namely from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m..
The directive introduced also aims to reduce the number of contacts telemarketers have with a given person. We are used to multiple connection attempts in a day, in France were limited to 4 times per month.
In addition, if the person he is calling refuses to be contacted by telephone, a telemarketer from a given company will not be allowed to make any further attempts to call the number provided for 60 days.
Draconian penalties for attempting to break the rules
Compliance with the new regulations will be supervised by the DGCCRF, i.e. the General Directorate for Consumer Affairs, Competition and Fraud Prevention.
As they point out, there may be attempts to disregard the decree. Telemarketer commissions generally depend on the results obtained following contact with consumers. In order to counter attempts to break the rules, a strict rule has been introduced a fine of up to EUR 375,000, i.e. a maximum of PLN 1,761,000.
How can Poles deal with telemarketers?
First of all avoid hanging up when a telemarketer calls. If the call is interrupted by hanging up, it will try to call back at different times or on different days. So as long as you don’t verbally refuse contact, the calls will almost certainly be repeated.
After getting the call from the telemarketer, we should also ask where he got our data and phone number. We have the right to ask who he got it from and who he represents in the conversation. After receiving the response, we can ask the entity from which the number was obtained, on what basis our consent was given. We have the possibility to withdraw our consent at any time, then the contact becomes illegal.
It is also recommended to end the conversation as soon as possible and ask not to contact again. Answer questions asked by the telemarketer this may inspire you to encourage him to keep talking. He will be convinced that he will be able to convince you of the offer presented by telephone.
In case of hesitation during the conversation, the complete offer will be presented and any doubts will be patiently and extensively explained. If that doesn’t convince you, the telemarketer will call you back trying to describe all the benefits of the offer.
It is also not recommended refuse connection on the pretext of lack of time. The effect of such a refusal will be an attempt to find out when you will have time and next calls within the time specified by you.
The most drastic form of refusing to contact the telemarketer is block the number they are calling from and report the matter to the Electronic Communications Office. The UKE can start an inspection as part of the notification and fine the entity that is harassing us.
Image credit: Freestocks, Shutterstock
Text source: Journal Du Geek, ed. possess