Frequently asked questions

What is the Do Not Call Me list?

The Do Not Call Me list, which is legally regulated, prevents you from receiving any unwanted phone calls. If you register your phone number on this list, companies carrying out commercial telephone campaigns are obliged to scrap your phone number from their contact lists. In consequence, they are no longer permitted to call you to offer their products and services, under pain of fines.

How do I register, remove or check the registration of my phone number in the Do Not Call Me list? Can I do so free of charge?

You can register, remove or check the registration of a phone number by calling the number +32 2 882 19 75 from the phone number in question. You then follow the instructions given to you by the IVR during the call. NB: you must call from the phone number that you wish to register, remove or check.

Registration is free. The call to +32 2 882 19 75 number will be charged at national rates by your operator of will be included in your telephone subscription.

I am on the Do Not Call Me list but am still receiving unwanted calls

We are sorry to hear this. If you receive unwanted phone calls, you can submit a complaint to the Economic Inspectorate. You can register a complaint on https://meldpunt.belgie.be/meldpunt/en/welcome (topic ‘Vervelende telefoontjes’ - in Dutch).

Is registering a phone number in the Do Not Call Me list free of charge?

Yes, registration is free. The call to +32 2 882 19 75 number will be charged at national rates by your operator of will be included in your telephone subscription.

How long is the registration of my phone number on the Do Not Call Me list valid?

The registration of your phone number is valid in perpetuity, provided you keep the registered phone number, or until you remove the phone number from the list. To remove your number from the list, call +32 2 882 19 75 and follow the instructions given to you during the call. NB: you must call from the phone number that you wish to remove.

I want to register my phone number on the Do Not Call Me list

You can register your phone number by calling the contact number +32 2 882 19 75. You then follow the instructions given to you during the call.
NB: you must call from the phone number that you wish to register.

I want to remove my phone number from the Do Not Call Me list

You can remove your phone number by calling the contact number +32 2 882 19 75. You then follow the instructions given to you during the call.
NB: you must call from the phone number that you wish to register or remove.

I want to check whether my phone number is on the Do Not Call Me list

You can check whether your phone number is registered by calling the contact number +32 2 882 19 75. You then follow the instructions given to you during the call.

NB: you must call from the phone number whose registration you wish to check.

What happens if I switch telephone operator?

Provided you keep the same phone number, even if you switch operators, your phone number will remain on the Do Not Call Me list. You do not need to re-register.

I cancelled my phone number with my telecom operator. Will the number remain on the Do Not Call Me list?

No, telecom operators are obliged to remove inactive numbers from the Do Not Call Me list. The removal order will be passed on by your telecom operator to the Central Number Database, which will immediately carry out the order.

Why am I still receiving unwanted calls even though my phone number is on the Do Not Call Me list?

Your phone number is registered immediately, after which your registration is passed on to service providers. In principle, you should no longer receive any direct marketing calls after approximately five working days. Unfortunately, certain service providers and companies (some of which are based abroad) fail to respect the law. If you continue to receive unwanted calls, we advise you to submit a complaint to the Economic Inspectorate. Click here for more information.

How much time will elapse between my registration and the point at which I no longer receive commercial calls?

Your phone number is registered immediately. Your registration is then passed on to service providers. In principle, you should no longer receive any direct marketing calls after approximately five working days.

I have got a new phone number. What should do I do now?

If you do not wish to receive any phone calls for direct marketing purposes on your new phone number, you should register this number on the Do Not Call Me list. Registering is voluntary and free of charge. You can register by calling the contact number +32 2 882 19 75 and following the instructions given to you during the call. NB: you must call from the number that you wish to register or delete from the list.

What is direct marketing?

Direct marketing is a broad term. It covers not only commercial campaigns by companies that approach customers, but also contacts with potential customers or prospects. Contacts by organisations, for example asking for financial contributions to charities or recruiting members, also fall under this term.

Contacts not considered direct marketing include:
- When a company contacts a customer to confirm an appointment that has been made;
- When a company contacts a customer to inform them about a problem that has occurred with a certain product they have purchased.

Is there a similar initiative for emails?

Yes, there is a similar initiative for emails. If you receive unwanted emails, you must always inform the sender that you do not wish to receive any more emails. There is no central database of people who do not wish to receive any commercial emails.

How can I remove my phone number from the Do Not Call Me list?

You can voluntarily remove your phone number by calling the contact number +32 2 882 19 75. You then follow the instructions given to you during the call.

NB: you must call from the phone number that you wish to remove from the list.

Why do I have to register my phone number on a list to avoid being called for direct marketing purposes?

Companies that carry out commercial and direct marketing campaigns by phone are legally obliged to consult the Do Not Call Me list and to remove phone numbers on the Do Not Call Me list from their own contact lists. You can voluntarily register on the DNCM list, and registration is free of charge. You can do so by calling the contact number +32 2 882 19 75 and following the instructions given to you during the call.

NB: you must call from the phone number that you wish to register or remove.

What happens to the phone numbers that I submit when I register?

The phone numbers that you register in the Do Not Call Me list are administered by Do Not Call Me (DNCM in short) vzw. A Royal Decree designated this non-profit as the official administrator of the list.

Companies that use the Do Not Call Me list in order to remove your phone number from their contact list receive your phone number and the date on which you registered your number.

What do I need to do in order to no longer be called for commercial promotions?

You have various options to ensure that a company or organisation will no longer contact you:
- You no longer wish to be called for advertising purposes by a certain company or organisation: just as companies can choose whom (not) to contact, you have the right to choose the companies or organisations you wish to remain in contact with. If the advertising messages of certain companies do not interest you at all, you can contact these companies and ask them to remove you from their address list. All companies or organisations are legally obliged to immediately implement your request free of charge.

- You no longer wish to receive any commercial phone calls: register on the Do Not Call Me list.

- You only want certain companies or organisations to call you for marketing purposes:
- First register your phone number on the Do Not Call Me list
- Then, at a later date, inform the relevant companies or organisations that you do wish to receive phone calls from them.

What rights do I have as a consumer with regard to personal data?

You have the following rights:

The right to inspect
You have the right to ask a company or organisation what personal data they hold. The company or organisation must reply within a reasonable period.

The right to amendment
You have the right to have incorrect data amended (for example your name, address, etc.).

The right to information
When you share personal data with a company or organisation, then this company or organisation is obliged to tell you what it will use your data for. It is also obliged to inform you of who is responsible for this data.

The right to object
If you share personal data with a company or organisation, you have the right to ask that your data is not included in any address list or passed on to other companies or organisations. By registering on the Do Not Call Me list, you signal your opposition to any company or organisation that wishes to call you for commercial purposes.

What is the Central Number Database?

Operators that offer landline and mobile telephone services were legally obliged to set up a Central Number Database. Subscribers’ data is kept in this database so it can be made available to the emergency services in case of an emergency call. If subscribers have given explicit permission for this, their data is passed on for publication by businesses that offer telephone directories and information services. The Central Number Database also collects the phone numbers of people who wish to be included in the Do Not Call Me list.

If I add my phone number to the Do Not Call Me list, can my bank or another company of which I am a customer still call me?

Yes, they definitely can, provided they do not call you to convey a commercial message. So if you subscribe to the list, your bank may no longer contact you to offer you a new product. They may, however, continue to contact you to inform you that your new card has arrived, for example.

Which legal framework applies here?

- The “Wetboek Economisch Recht” (Civil Code of Economic Law), articles VI.110-VI.115.
- Royal Decree of 12 May 2015 establishing the accreditation criteria of the society or organisation referred to in articles VI.114 of the Civil Code of Economic Law.

I want to ensure that my company is in compliance with the Do Not Call Me legislation

If your company wishes to comply with the legislation, your company can register and purchase the Do Not Call Me list via the following link: www.dncm.be.

I Have another question

If the Frequently Asked Questions do not answer a question you have about your phone number, the registration, removal or checking of registration of your number in the Do Not Call Me list, or about the Central Number Database, you can always pose your question to your telecom operator. You will find the contact details of your telecom operator on your phone bill or on the operator’s website.

If you would like more information about the Do Not Call Me list, you can consult the website www.dncm.be.

I have a complaint, what should I do?

If you are still receiving unwanted calls, we advise you to submit a complaint to the Economic Inspectorate.

You can do so:

- In writing

Economic Inspectorate contact details:
SPF Economie Algemene Directie Economische Inspectie
Dienst Meldpunt
Koning Albert II-laan, 16
1000 Brussel
BELGIUM

- Online

https://meldpunt.belgie.be/meldpunt/en/welcome, choose option ‘Vervelende telefoontjes’ (in Dutch)

All contact details

SPF Economy
SPF Economie Algemene Directie Economische Inspectie
Dienst Meldpunt
Koning Albert II-laan, 16
1000 Brussel
BELGIUM

To submit a complaint, go to the website: https://meldpunt.belgie.be/meldpunt/en/welcome, choose option ‘Vervelende telefoontjes’ (in Dutch)

Do Not Call Me vzw
Website: www.dncm.be

Central Number Database in Belgium vzw
Website: www.centralnumberdatabase.be
Registration, removal, checking of phone number: +32 2 882 19 75

How can I - as a hearing impaired person - register my number on the "Do Not Call Me" list?

If you are hearing impaired and want to register your number on the "Do Not Call Me" list, we recommend that you contact your telecom provider via their website (via chat and/or email) so that they can register your number for you.