Lorraine Williamson
Spain is tightening its telemarketing regulations, aiming to eliminate unwanted sales calls from mobile numbers. A new law, set to take effect this month, will better protect consumers from telephone fraud and aggressive sales tactics.
In response to increasing fraudulent calls and misleading sales tactics, the Spanish government is introducing stricter rules. From February, companies will be prohibited from using mobile numbers for commercial calls. Instead, they must use landlines with regional area codes or toll-free numbers such as 800 and 900.
Reasons behind the measure
Many consumers find unsolicited calls from mobile numbers deceptive, often mistaking them for personal contacts. These calls can involve high-pressure sales tactics or fraudulent schemes. The new regulations aim to prevent such deception by ensuring clear distinctions between legitimate and unwanted calls.
Part of a wider strategy against fraud
The new law is part of a broader effort to combat telephone fraud and cybercrime. In addition to banning mobile number telemarketing, fraudulent numbers will be blocked. Companies failing to comply face significant penalties.
Combatting phishing and fake calls
One common scam involves ‘phishing,’ where criminals impersonate banks or official institutions to obtain sensitive customer information. Under the new rules, telecom providers must automatically block unregistered numbers.
A stronger crackdown on SMS phishing is also underway. Fraudulent messages that mimic legitimate institutions often contain dangerous links to fake websites. To counter this, the Spanish National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) is developing a database of verified institutions to improve consumer protection.
Spain’s do-not-call registry
Consumers can further protect themselves by registering with Lista Robinson. This free opt-out service legally prevents companies from making unsolicited marketing calls to registered users.
Protecting minors on digital platforms
The government is also addressing online child protection. The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Employment are considering new measures to regulate minors’ participation in online content creation. Spain aims to align with European regulations to prevent child exploitation in digital media.
With these changes, Spain is taking a decisive step to curb unwanted telemarketing and improve digital safety for consumers of all ages.