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Bundesnetzagentur warns of harassing silent calls from automated dialers
The Bundesnetzagentur has identified common tactics used by call centers that lead to harassing phone calls, often referred to as 'silent calls.' These issues frequently stem from the use of telephony dialers—automated programs that dial more numbers simultaneously than there are available staff members to handle the calls.
This practice results in three main phenomena: 'dropped calls,' where the connection breaks after ringing fewer than three times; 'lost calls,' where a connection is made but no one is on the other end; and 'callback' attempts, where numbers are stored to be dialed again later.
To combat this, consumers can use technical measures such as blocking specific numbers on smartphones, routers, or through their service providers. Additionally, the Bundesnetzagentur can take action against harassing behavior, which includes calls made before 8:00 or after 20:00 on weekdays, advertising calls on Sundays or public holidays, and receiving more than three calls in a single day.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Call centers use telephony dialers that dial more numbers than available staff. www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Advertising calls on Sundays or national holidays are considered harassing. www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Harassing behavior includes calls before 8:00 or after 20:00 on weekdays. www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dropped calls occur when a phone rings fewer than three times before disconnecting. www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Receiving more than three calls per day can be classified as harassing behavior. www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Lost calls happen when a connection is established but no one answers on the other end. www.leinetal24.de · www.op-online.de · www.wz.de