Unwanted sales calls at record levels in France: how to stop them

France received a record number of unwanted sales calls in 2025, Telecoms watchdog Arcep reported earlier this week.

The increase in calls was one of several issues that prompted the watchdog to launch an investigation into allocated numbers for sales calls, in addition to a sudden increase in ‘spoofing’. 

‘Spoofing’ calls see unscrupulous callers – often scammers or unwanted telesales operators – hiding their number to reach clients. 

This can be done usuing the phone number of a member of the public, or of a public body – including government institutions, which in turn can lead to phishing or hacking attempts.

Arcep noted more than 19,000 reports of spoofing-related identity theft in 2025, compared to 531 in 2023. 

In addition to frustration for recipients of unwanted calls – many of whom have attempted to block numbers – others who have their numbers stolen report receiving angry calls from those who have been ‘called’ by their number. 

It comes after the watchdog also warned that scam calls in France had more than doubled in the last year. 

Tips to deal with unwanted calls 

When we reported on the increase in scam calls on social media, Connexion readers offered their advice on how to deal with the increase in unwanted calls. 

Many commenters offered the straightforward advice of ignoring all calls from numbers you do not recognise – anyone who legitimately needs to contact you will leave a message or communicate through other means such as a voicemail, email, or text. 

If you receive a call from an unknown number and you do not receive a follow-up message, you can choose to block it to prevent being called again from that number.

Other readers recommend answering in English.

This can often deter spam callers who are unsure on how to proceed, or do not speak English, causing them to hang up.

If the ‘caller’ continues speaking French or does not ask if you speak French, it is often automated and you can therefore hang up. 

Alternatively, not speaking first and then waiting for the other person to speak – so you can see if the call is automated or otherwise – is another option. 

In either case, if the number turns out to be a spam call or unwanted you can block the number immediately afterwards.

Many readers recommended using apps to block calls or set internal phone settings to reduce unwanted calls. 

Many modern devices have settings to filter out spam calls, or otherwise inform you that an incoming call is spam, although this is limited to smartphones and can depend on the type of device you have.

The ‘Bloctel’ service offered by the government was criticised for being ineffective against spoofing calls.

Third-party apps that were highlighted as useful include ‘Orange Telephone’ – available on all devices despite its name – and ‘Begone’, which can block incoming spam numbers. 

More humorous recommendations included answering the phone before placing it under a bell or jar to frustrate the incoming caller, or saying ‘Je suis sous tutelle’ (‘I am under guardianship’), in order to convince them you could not authorise any payment by yourself. 

Will the situation improve? 

New laws may see the situation improve. 

From August 2026, receiving sales calls will become an entirely ‘opt-in’ process. 

Numbers will be restricted from receiving sales calls unless the owner specifically requests that they be included in the list of reachable contacts, or if they are already a customer or contract holder with the service.

Calls must be instantly ended if customers say they are not interested. Any company found in breach of the rules risks a €500,000 penalty.

This should, in theory, see the number of random calls people receive drastically reduced. 

However, previous attempts to restrict spam calls have had limited effect, and callers with a more malicious intent (scammers, particularly those using fake numbers such as that of a bank or public institution) may be unlikely to be deterred.