Spain Cracks Down on Spam Calls and Scams: New Regulations to Protect Consumers

In a significant move to enhance digital safety and protect consumers from unwanted and fraudulent calls, Spain has introduced stringent new regulations to combat spam and scam phone calls. These measures, set to take effect this month, are part of a broader initiative by the Spanish government to tackle the growing issue of telephone fraud.

Ban on Mobile Numbers for Commercial Calls

At the forefront of these new regulations is a complete ban on the use of mobile phone numbers for commercial promotional campaigns. From February onwards, businesses will be required to use landline numbers with local prefixes or toll-free numbers starting with 800 or 900 to contact potential customers. This change aims to prevent consumers from mistakenly answering sales calls that appear to come from personal contacts, such as friends or family members[1][2][3].

Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Administration

Óscar López, the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, has been instrumental in driving these changes. López emphasized that the new rules are designed to stop deceptive practices where consumers are tricked into answering calls from mobile numbers that could be either salespeople or scam artists. "We often receive calls from a mobile number, thinking it’s a friend or family member, only to discover it’s a salesperson or a con artist. This will now be banned," López stated[1][2].

Enhanced Protection Against Scams

The new regulations go beyond just banning mobile numbers for commercial calls. They also include measures to block calls and texts from unregistered numbers, which are often used in identity theft scams. Phone service providers will be obligated to block international calls that pretend to have originated from Spanish numbers, a common tactic used by scammers operating from countries like the Netherlands or the United Kingdom[2][3].

Additionally, the Spanish National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) will create a database to register entities using alphanumeric codes for text messages. This will help in identifying and blocking spam texts that mimic legitimate institutions to obtain personal details[2][3].

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Companies that fail to comply with these new rules will face significant penalties, including fines of up to €2 million for violating the General Telecommunications Law. This stringent enforcement is part of Spain's commitment to aligning with European standards in combating telephone fraud and cybercrime[2][3].

Consumer Protection Measures

Consumers in Spain can further protect themselves by registering with Lista Robinson, a free opt-out service that legally prevents companies from making unsolicited marketing calls. This service is part of a broader consumer protection strategy that includes the ability to report offending mobile phone numbers to the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Office[1][3].

Broader Strategy Against Fraud

The Spanish government is also working on additional protections against scam messages and other forms of cybercrime. These measures include stronger crackdowns on SMS phishing and the development of databases to verify the legitimacy of institutions contacting consumers via text messages[2][3].

With these new regulations, Spain is taking a decisive step to curb unwanted telemarketing and improve digital safety for its citizens, setting an example that aligns with similar measures implemented in countries like France, Germany, Belgium, and Finland. As López noted, "We are at the forefront of Europe" in combating scams, with countries like Finland having reduced scam calls by 90% through similar measures[2].