Cold calling: the question to ask to get them to hang up

Often perceived as an intrusion, cold calling is regulated by strict legislation aimed at protecting consumers. Faced with the persistence of abusive practices, a simple solution has emerged: a phrase that would make the callers hang up. We'll explain.

Since the Naegelen law of July 24, 2020 , telephone canvassing has been subject to specific rules. A decree of October 13, 2022, which came into force on March 1, 2023, strengthened these provisions by regulating the days, times, and frequency of calls for unsolicited commercial prospecting.

Thus, canvassing is only permitted from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is prohibited on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Furthermore, the same consumer may not be solicited more than four times per month by the same professional.

For calls regarding energy renovations, the rule is even stricter: cold calling is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines of up to €75,000 for individuals and €375,000 for legal entities.

And in 2026, the law will evolve again. Indeed, on May 14, 2025, MPs adopted a bill that, among other things, plans to put an end to telephone canvassing. Unless you give your prior consent, you will no longer be able to be contacted, whether for energy renovations, changing energy suppliers, or using your personal training account (CPF). This general ban on canvassing in all sectors, however, will not come into effect until August 11, 2026.

Bloctel: an official response

In the meantime, to combat abusive canvassing, the government has set up the Bloctel platform. This free service allows individuals to register up to 10 landline or mobile phone numbers to prevent telephone canvassing.

Professionals are required to check whether a number is registered with Bloctel before conducting any commercial prospecting. Failure to comply may result in financial penalties.

Faced with the persistence of unsolicited calls, a trick is circulating: saying a specific phrase to encourage the callers to hang up. Although this method is not officially recognized, it appears to have a deterrent effect.

Internet users report that using this phrase often results in the call being disconnected immediately. However, it's important to note that this practice is not regulated by law and may not be effective against all solicitors.