Sharp rise in cold call complaints

A system that allows people to block calls from telemarketing companies is not working well, according to reports in De Standaard and Het Nieuwsblad. Complaints that nuisance calls are still getting through shot up in the first half of 2015, with 1,420 people protesting to government regulators. This already exceeds the number of complaints registered in the whole of 2014.

Telemarketing companies are supposed to check in with the list, called "Ne m’appelez plus" or "Bel me niet meer", to ensure that they do not call people who want to be left in peace. So far, 670,000 people across the country have signed up.

Companies that persist in calling numbers on the list first receive a warning, then a fine of up to €60,000.

At the end of June the government launched a single bilingual web site that makes it easier for people to register their numbers, and for companies to take note of their wishes.