Technology has made it easier than ever to connect with one another, it’s also increased the amount of unwanted calls people receive from telemarketers and alike, however, there are steps you can take to reduce the frequency of pesky callers.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, has provided options for those who wish to reduce unsolicited communications and outlined that it wont make your number obsolete to marketers and campaigners, but it will help.

The first action step that you can take is to register your residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone numbers through the National Do Not Call List (DNCL), which will significantly cut down on the unwanted phone calls. There are still however, some who will be able to contact you. Registered charities, newspapers looking for subscriptions and political parties and their candidate are all exempt from the DNCL. Additionally if you have done business with a company, they are able to call you for up to 18 months, after which, if you are on the DNCL list, they must stop unless you say otherwise.

While political parties are exempt from the DNCL, they are not exempt from the Telemarketing or ADAD rules which among other regulations, outlines that callers can only try to contact you between 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.

The CRTC website details the many ways that telemarketers and solicitors obtain your number without you being acutely aware, they include:
• From companies that in the business of generating lists and numbers
• Contest forms or applications that you fill out
• By selecting random numbers to call
• From companies that you deal with

Despite the intrusive behaviour of these calls, there are ways you can protect yourself beyond the DNCL:
• Be thorough when filling out forms and always check “I do not wish to be contacted” box
• Always read the Terms of Use
• Enable your smartphone’s built-in call blocking feature
• Download a call blocking app on your smartphone

If you have taken the aforementioned steps and are still being plagued by persistent or aggressive telemarketers, you are able to file a formal complaint through the CRTC. Additionally, if the calls are going beyond the normal telemarketing spiel and you feel there is intent of fraudulent activity, you are urged to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).