Your phone rings. You answer. Someone on the other end wants to sell you something. Before you get the sales pitch, it’s worth knowing that telemarketers in BC have rules to follow, including when they can call you and how often they can call you about the same offer.
Here are five things to know about telemarketing calls in BC.
1. There are limits on when telemarketers can call
Telemarketers can’t call whenever they want. The law sets specific hours for telemarketing calls based on your local time.
Monday to Friday:
9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Statutory holidays:
No telemarketing calls are allowed.
So, if your phone rings at 8:15 a.m. on a Tuesday, or during dinner on a Sunday, the call is outside the permitted hours.
2. They can’t keep calling you about the same offer
Getting the same sales pitch over and over? There’s a limit on that, too.
A telemarketer can’t contact you more than once in a 30-day period about the same proposed transaction or offer, unless you ask them to contact you. That means a company can’t keep ringing you every few days with the same sales pitch and hope you eventually give in.
3. Not every caller is a telemarketer or needs a licence
In BC, businesses that use telemarketing to sell goods or services to consumers generally need a telemarketing licence from Consumer Protection BC. Some organizations are exempt from licensing requirements, including charities that call consumers directly to fundraise, savings institutions, educational institutions, survey companies and political organizations.
However, if a charity hires another company to make fundraising calls on its behalf, that company needs a telemarketing licence.
So, not every sales or fundraising call is necessarily covered by the telemarketer licensing rules we oversee.
Not sure who is calling? you can check whether a telemarketer is licensed.
4. Ask questions before you buy. If someone calls trying to sell you something, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Consider asking:
- What company are you calling from?
- What exactly are you offering?
- What will it cost?
- Can you provide the information in writing?
- Can I see the contract before I agree?
Research the company and ask to see a copy of the contract before making a purchase over the phone.
5. Want fewer calls? Get on the Do Not Call List
If you’re tired of legitimate telemarketing calls, you can register your phone number with Canada’s National Do Not Call List. This can help reduce telemarketing calls, but it won’t stop fraudulent or scam calls.
If you think a caller is trying to scam you, don’t provide personal or financial information. You can report suspected scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local police.
What if a telemarketer breaks the rules?
If you receive a call from a licensed telemarketer outside the permitted hours, or you’re contacted more than once in 30 days about the same offer without your permission, you can submit a complaint to our office for review.
We’ll assess the complaint based on the facts, the law and the level of risk involved.
Before you pick up…
You don’t have to know every rule in the book the next time your phone rings. Just remember:
Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stat holiday: No telemarketing calls
Same offer: No more than once every 30 days, unless you asked them to call.
A telemarketing call might catch you off guard, but you don’t have to make a decision on the spot.
Know the rules, ask questions and take your time before making a decision.
About Consumer Protection BC
We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at consumerprotectionbc.ca.
Please note, information on our website is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For details, read our website disclaimer.