French telemarketing numbers

Numbers reserved for automated calls

Since 1 January 2023, Arcep, the French telecoms regulator, has required systems that call in bulk, such as telemarketing platforms, to use numbers from dedicated ranges. Each large region has two prefixes, and two more are non-geographic.

The goal is to let you recognise these calls before answering, and filter them.

Is a call from these numbers always a scam?

No. These ranges are used for telemarketing, but also for legitimate automated calls such as appointment reminders, surveys or deliveries. A call from them isn't illegal in itself.

Scams often use a spoofed number that looks ordinary. Be wary of anyone asking for a code, a password or a payment over the phone, whatever the number.

What the law says

Since 1 March 2023, unsolicited telemarketing in France is only allowed on weekdays, from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 8pm, never on weekends or public holidays, and no more than four calls in thirty days to the same person.

You can register for free with Bloctel, the French opt-out list, to stop calls from companies you have no ongoing contract with.

How to filter them

Ylumo recognises all twelve ranges and labels their calls as telemarketing. With automatic blocking on, they no longer ring your phone.