Telemarketing
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 probably need to be licensed with us. The law sets out who needs to be licensed and when they cannot call you.
Read the Telemarketer Licensing Regulation.
What times aren’t allowed?
A telemarketer is not allowed to call you:
- Monday to Friday before 9:00 am or after 9:30 pm local time
- Saturday & Sunday before 10:00 am or after 6:00 pm local time
- on a statutory holiday
- more than once in a 30-day period in respect to the same offer
How do I get the calls to stop?
To stop calls from legitimate telemarketers, sign up with the National Do Not Contact List. This won’t stop fraudulent calls. If you get a scam call, contact your local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Who doesn’t need a licence?
There are certain types of businesses that don’t need a telemarketing licence. They include:
- charities who contact you directly to fundraise (but a third party calling on behalf of them does)
- savings institutions
- educational institutions
- businesses conducting surveys
- political organizations
How do I know a telemarketer is legitimate?
Here are some tips to help you decide if a telemarketer is the real deal:
- Do some research about the company and their product or service. You can check their licence and contact your local Better Business Bureau for information about the business.
- If a charity is soliciting donations over the phone, it’s a good idea to ask for information to be sent to you in writing before committing to a donation.
- Before making a purchase over the phone, ask to see a copy of the contract first. This way you can review any terms and conditions that may apply.
Find one of our licensed telemarketers.
Search the Canada Revenue Agency list of registered charities.
I bought something from a telemarketer and I want to return it. Now what?
If you make a purchase over the phone, you probably entered into a distance sales contract. We oversee elements of these types of contracts and you may have some cancellation rights.
Please submit a complaint so we can assess it and guide you on next steps.
How we review complaints
We look at each complaint to decide if we should open a case based on the facts, the law, and the level of risk. We focus on issues that cause the most harm or affect more people, especially those who may be vulnerable. In some cases, when an issue is supported by the law, we may refer it to another agency that’s better suited to help.
Read our consumer tips on telemarketing.