The DNCL: A tool to counter phone solicitation
Published on March 8, 2023
We’ve all received calls from companies or telemarketers trying to convince us to buy a product or use their services. Given how many businesses there are in Canada, the number of incoming calls could become a real headache! That’s where the Do Not Call List comes in, or DNCL. It’s a national registry of telecommunications numbers that are exempt from telemarketing.
When you’re selling a home agent-free, solicitations will mainly consist of phone calls or text messages from people wanting to persuade you to sign a real estate brokerage contract and pay them a commission. For DuProprio sellers, like all other Canadian consumers, the DNCL is a truly invaluable tool. However many people aren’t aware of it.
Learn what it is and how it can have a positive impact on a day-to-day basis!
Contents:
What’s the DNCL?
The National Do Not Call List (DNCL) is a list of the telephone numbers of Canadian residents who want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive. You can register as many numbers as you want, quickly, easily and for free. The numbers on the list are there permanently, unless you request to have it removed.
The DNCL is the responsibility of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), an independent public organization that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada. The DNCL service has been available since 2008.
Protection from solicitation
A solicitation call is any call aimed at selling or promoting a product or service. This includes offers of discounts or gifts as well as requests for money.
Telemarketers can obtain your telephone or fax number for solicitation purposes in several ways, including these:
- By dialing numbers at random
- From businesses specialized in creating telephone lists
- Through contests you enter and forms you fill out
- From companies that have a business relationship with you
So, it’s important to be cautious about giving out your phone number, so you don’t end up on telephone lists used for solicitation. The DNCL protects consumers from these undesirable calls from telemarketers who’ve gotten your number.
Requirement to comply with the list
The law requires that telemarketers and companies consult the DNCL and respect it. They must also register and pay fees to download updates of the list. It is their responsibility to comply with the regulations of the DNCL and to make sure consumers registered on the list don’t get solicitation calls from them.
They have 31 days to comply, from the date of the request to register a phone number on the DNCL. If the list is not respected, consumers can make a complaint. Once a complaint is made, the CRTC investigates. In some cases, official notices of violation are issued and can lead to fines.
Some entities are exempt from DNCL regulations. Calls made by, or on behalf of, the following are excluded:
- Charitable organizations
- Newspapers offering subscriptions
- Political parties and candidates
- Businesses you have a relationship with (in the past 18 months, or following a request for information in the past 6 months)
- Market research, surveys and polls
- Debt recovery
You can, however, directly ask these entities to put your telephone number on their personal list of excluded numbers, if they are compelled by law to have one.
How to register
Adding a number to the DNCL can be done online from the “For Consumers” tab, or by phone at 1-866-580-3625. In either case, you’ll receive a confirmation of your registration.
The following types of numbers can be added:
- Land lines
- Cellphones
- Faxes
- IP telephony (calls over the internet, also known as VoIP)
Please note that business line numbers are not covered by DNCL regulations.
Want to know if your number is on the list? Check your registration.
What are the impacts for consumers?
Generally speaking, being registered on the DNCL will affect the number of calls you receive daily. Exceptions aside, the calls you receive will now be from people you know or respond to needs you’ve explicitly stated.
The DNCL is a tool for agent-free sellers
Selling a property often triggers a number of “unknown callers,” in addition to your day-to-day calls. When you choose to sell agent-free, it’s likely that you’ll receive solicitation calls from real estate brokers wanting the contract to sell your property. Putting the telephone number you used on your listing on the DNCL offers a safeguard against such calls, and recourse in case of non-compliance.
DuProprio clients have the additional option of adding a notice in their listing to clearly state that they do not want to receive solicitations:
A buyer’s broker still has the right to contact you.
It’s just logical, because they’re not calling to solicit you. They may be contacting you to get more details about your property, organize a visit or negotiate!
Beware of scammers!
While the DNCL is a great tool, it sadly does not protect from fraudulent telemarketing calls. Protect yourself by following the CRTC’s advice and by knowing how to recognize the most common scams. Remember, when an offer seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t. So, beware!
DuProprio clients have access to a wide range of tools and advice to deal with solicitation and to uphold their choice of selling directly. Want to sell your property? Choose the support and visibility offered by DuProprio, while keeping the commission in your own pocket! To learn more, schedule a call or watch our short webinar.
