By law, certain telemarketers are required to be licensed in BC.  If a company contacts you to sell goods or services on behalf of themselves or a 3rd party, and they are taking payment over the phone, they are likely required to be licensed by Consumer Protection BC. Please note that if you no longer wish to have telemarketing calls to your telephone, sign up with the National Do Not Contact List. For more information click here.

Here are some tips to assist you during a telemarketing call:

1. Before agreeing to anything, ask for some time and do some research about the company.  Look them up on the Internet, contact your local Better Business Bureau or click here to see if the company is licensed with Consumer Protection BC.
2. If you don’t want to receive any more calls from this company, ask to be added to their “do not call list”.  Most legitimate companies do not intentionally call anyone they know who doesn’t want calls and will put your name on their list if you ask.
3. Get a non-published phone number. It’s inexpensive and is one of the most effective ways to stop telemarketing calls.
4. Before making a purchase over the phone, ask to see a copy of the contract first so you can make an informed choice.
5. If it’s a charity soliciting donations over the phone, it’s a good idea to also request that they send you more information before making a decision.  (Please note that only 3rd parties calling on behalf of charities are required to be licensed if they are taking payment over the phone.)
6. Telemarketers may only call you between 9:00 am and 9:30 pm on the weekdays, and between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm on weekends.

There is a lot to know about telemarketing in BC.  Here are some additional suggestions on how to respond to telemarketers.  If you still have questions, please call Consumer Protection BC Toll Free at 1-888-564-9963 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .