How to Report /Block Unwanted Telemarketing Calls (UAE)

From August 27, 2024, the UAE government (TDRA) has enacted a law to block and report unsolicited telemarketing calls. This law will protect all telecom network users and provide a way to bring marketing within a regulated and legal framework. The law is called ‘Kashif‘, which allows users to report any unknown calls, marketing SMS, and calls.

Under this TRDRA law, calls will only be allowed from registered numbers of companies that operate under a commercial license. This future “Kashif” was introduced in 2022 and has been implemented across all networks. If a company calls from unregistered numbers, it can be fined up to AED 75,000, while using a personal number can be fined AED 5,000 for the first time and AED 50,000 for repeated violations.

5 Easy Steps to Report Telemarketing Calls in UAE

If you receive a marketing call from an unregistered or personal number, you can take the following steps:

1. Note down the calling number from which you received the marketing SMS or call.
2. Then go to your mobile’s SMS application.
3. Now write a new message:
4. Report [number] (e.g. Report 0581234567).
5. Send this message to 1012.

TDRA will review your complaint and take action against the offending number. Kashif’s feature is a modern facility that allows you to see the name of any call received from an unknown number. When you report it to TDRA, the caller/spammer/marketer can be fined up to AED 50,000 if it is against the law.

How does the Kashif feature work?

This is a future that shows the name of the caller to the users which is registered with TDRA. If you receive a call from any unknown number while it is marketing, you should immediately report it by following the method I mentioned above. Kashif Future not only shows the name but also has many other benefits:

• With “Kashif” Future, users have the option to receive or reject the call.
• This will reduce the chances of fake calls or fraud in the UAE.
• It will be possible for all registered companies to contact the users transparently and authentically, which will depend on the will of the users.

This law, implemented by TDRA, is equally applicable to every company Etisalat, DU, and Virgin.

New Telemarketing Calls Rules 2024: What’s Changed?

Under the new rules:

Ban on personal numbers:

• Telemarketing calls from personal mobile or fixed line numbers are banned, which means that no one can send messages or calls for marketing purposes.
• Telemarketing calls from registered numbers of companies will be allowed under all commercial licenses.

Implementation of the ‘Kashif’ feature:

• When a register company makes a marketing call, users can see the company name instead of the number during the call.
• This will let the user know whether the call is from a registered company or an incorporated company.

Strict penalties:

According to the new law, strict penalties will now be imposed for not following the law.

• Calls from any unregistered number will be subject to a fine of up to 75,000 dirhams.

For using any personal number:

• For the first time: TDRA can finish 5,000 dirhams and also suspend the service.
• For repeated violations: If anyone repeats the violation, TDRA can fine 50,000 dirhams and can ban the telecom services.

Advantages and potential disadvantages of the rules

While it has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages for small businesses. We will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this service below.

Advantages of the laws

1. Relief from unnecessary calls: This law protects consumers from unnecessary marketing calls, especially personal or unregistered ones.
2. Protection of privacy: Consumers’ personal information remains safe, and their time is not wasted.
3. Strengthening the legal system: It becomes easier for companies operating within the legal framework to do marketing and this gives consumers more confidence.
4. The usefulness of the ‘Kashif’ feature: Consumers get the opportunity to see which company the call is coming from. In addition, the risk of fake and anonymous calls may be reduced.
5. Transparency for companies: Businesses can reach consumers through registered numbers, which will make them legal and trustworthy.

Potential Disadvantages

1. Difficulties for small businesses: The restriction on personal numbers can make it difficult for small businesses and freelancers to market. For this, they will first have to register the company, for which they may also have to pay a fee.
2. Time-consuming reporting process: Reporting every unnecessary call can be time-consuming and labor-intensive for consumers.
3. Call filtering issues: Sometimes even important calls can be ignored due to lack of ‘discovery’.

Conclusion:

The new telemarketing laws have become a great convenience for consumers, which protects them from spam calls. After the enactment of this law in the UAE, consumers can activate and deactivate it from their number for free, the method of which has been explained above.

There are also many other such apps in the market, which allow you to see the name, address, email, and social accounts of each caller. With the help of these apps, you can also avoid fraudulent calls. We have already discussed this topic, which you can read in the Who Called Me topic and choose any of the best apps.