Phone Sales Calls: Some Callers Try to Break New Rules
Listen to the story
A new law in France now bans many kinds of phone marketing calls, also known as cold calling. The goal is to protect people from unwanted sales calls.
However, according to a recent report, some companies are already trying to get around the new rules. They are looking for loopholes, or small gaps in the law that let them keep calling.
One way to spot these calls is by checking the phone number. Certain numbers start with specific digits that are often linked to telemarketing.
Experts recommend that people block these numbers as soon as they see them. This stops future calls from the same number.
The article also explains that people can report companies that break the rules. This helps authorities track down businesses that ignore the ban.
Even though the law aims to reduce unwanted calls, it may take time before all companies fully comply. Consumers are advised to stay alert and use the tools available to protect themselves.
The situation shows how new regulations are sometimes tested by companies looking for ways to continue their old practices, even after a ban is introduced.
Vocabulary10 words
- marketing calls
- phone calls made to sell something
- cold calling
- calling people you do not know to sell something
- loophole
- a small way to avoid following a rule
- telemarketing
- selling things by phone
- block
- to stop a number from calling you
- report
- to tell someone in charge about a problem
- authorities
- people or groups with official power
- comply
- to follow a rule or law
- regulations
- official rules set by a government or group
- consumers
- people who buy goods or services
Quiz
Answer key
1. To ban unwanted marketing calls 2. By finding loopholes in the law 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new law in France now bans many kinds of phone _____ calls.
The goal is to protect people from unwanted _____ calls.
Some companies are already trying to get around the new _____.
They are looking for _____, or small gaps in the law.
Certain numbers start with specific digits linked to _____.
Experts recommend that people _____ these numbers as soon as they see them.
People can _____ companies that break the rules.
This helps _____ track down businesses that ignore the ban.
It may take time before all companies fully _____.
Consumers are advised to stay alert and use the tools to protect themselves from these _____.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever received an unwanted marketing call? How did you react?
- Why do you think some companies try to avoid new consumer-protection laws?
- Do you think blocking phone numbers is an effective way to stop unwanted calls?
- What other methods could governments use to make sure companies follow such rules?