UAE to set fines, rules for cold calling; residents recount most annoying encounters

UAE to set fines, rules for cold calling; residents recount most annoying encounters

Published: Sat 18 May 2024, 1:16 PM Last updated: Sat 18 May 2024, 2:01 PM

Despite attempts to curb the practice, unwanted sales calls continue to pester UAE residents. The government has taken a step to tighten regulations on cold calling — and, soon, penalties shall be introduced.

While most would get one-off calls from marketers, Dubai resident Allaine Galvez's experience was quite extreme: A "forex trading guy" kept calling her for about four months.

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"I was looking for a job at that time. He called me and asked if I wanted to invest in a foreign exchange trading platform. I told him I don't have the money to invest as I don't have a job," she told Khaleej Times.

Galvez, who now heads an HR team, thought that was the end of it — until the man called again and again, using different numbers. "He kept asking if I already found a job and if I am interested to invest."

A UAE law could put an end to such practices.

The Cabinet has approved a decision to regulate cold calling during its meeting earlier this week.

Guidelines would be set for telemarketing practices and