Canada’s National Do Not Call List

If you wish to reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls you receive, you can sign up for the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) that has been set up by the federal government and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Here are answers to some common questions about the National DNCL and how it affects banks and their customers. For more detailed information on how the National DNCL operates, visit www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca.

How does the National DNCL work?

If you wish to receive fewer telemarketing calls, you can sign up to have your cellular, home phone and fax numbers included on the National DNCL. If you do, then most companies and organizations making unsolicited telemarketing or sales calls can no longer contact you unless you have an existing business relationship with that organization.

Your contact numbers will be added to the National DNCL within 24 hours and telemarketers who are not exempted have 31 days to take you off their calling lists. You must renew your registration with the DNCL every three years and, if your contact numbers change, you will have to register your new numbers.

Does the banking industry support the National DNCL?

Yes. The banking industry long supported the introduction of a National Do Not Call List and worked with the CRTC and other organizations to put it into place.

Banks sometimes use telemarketing to inform Canadians about products and services that may be of interest, but they also respect the wishes of those people who do not want to receive these calls. Banks had their own internal do not call lists before the DNCL was introduced, and they continue to carefully maintain and constantly update these internal lists.

Does the National DNCL apply to all organizations?

It applies to all organizations in Canada, including banks, but there are exceptions for certain types of calls. Registered charities, political parties and newspapers have exemptions under the National DNCL and can still call you, as can companies conducting surveys or market research. And, if you have an existing business relationship with a company or organization, then that organization may call as well. In general, you have an existing business relationship with your bank if you have any existing products or services with the bank (or closed them within the last 18 months).

Does being on the National DNCL prevent all calls from my bank?

If you have submitted an inquiry or application in the last six months, or if you have been a customer of a bank in the past 18 months — for example, if you have an account, credit card or loan — then you are considered to have an existing business relationship with that bank and they may call you. As an existing bank customer, you may also receive non-marketing services calls related to your accounts, such as a telephone call if the bank suspects fraudulent activity on your debit or credit card, a reminder about your product renewal dates, to activate a new credit card or a request to review your investments.

What if I no longer wish to receive marketing calls from my bank, regardless of whether they have a relationship with me?

If you do not wish to receive telemarketing calls from your bank, they will respect your wishes. There are two simple ways to be added to your bank’s own internal do not call list:

• Call your bank, visit your bank branch or check your bank’s privacy policy on its website for information on how to add your name to their internal do not call list. Most banks discourage customers from sending requests by e-mail because of concerns about the security of this type of communication and the lack of ability to verify that the request is legitimate.
• If you receive a telemarketing call from your bank, you can ask to be added to their internal do not call list.

How do I register for the National DNCL?

You can register your cellular, home phone and fax numbers by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625) or visiting www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca and following the instructions.