CRTC publishes a summary of protection options currently offered for spoofed and unsolicited calls

Interested parties can comment on the available solutions by December 4

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, Nov. 20, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today published a summary list of features and options currently available in the Canadian market to help Canadians protect themselves from unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls. Interested parties are invited to share their views on this information, which was provided by the telecommunications industry, by December 4, 2015.

The CRTC had requested that telephone and wireless telephone companies, as well as other vendors, provide information on the options and features currently available to Canadians to manage unwanted spoofed and unsolicited calls. Their responses are available on the public record. They have been compiled into a format that can be consulted and searched in order to assist interested parties in formulating their comments.

The CRTC is also exploring new and innovative solutions, including those that may reduce illegitimate caller identification (caller ID) spoofing.

Comments may be submitted until December 4, 2015 by:

• filling out the online form
• writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N2, or
• sending a fax to 819-994-0218

Quick Facts

• In July 2015, the CRTC launched a public consultation to better understand the solutions that are currently offered to help Canadians manage unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls.
• The National Do Not Call List was established in 2008 to help Canadians protect their privacy and, to date, over 12.9 million numbers have been added to the list.
• Since that time, more than one million complaints of alleged violations to the Unsolicited Telecommunication Rules have been lodged by Canadians.
• It is estimated that over 40% of complaints involve an element of illegitimate Caller ID spoofing.
• Caller identification spoofing occurs when telemarketers hide or misrepresent their identity by displaying fictitious phone numbers when making calls.

Quote

"We recognize that Canadians are affected by unsolicited and spoofed phone calls on a daily basis. We encourage the industry to pay special attention to the comments being submitted by their customers who want help to reduce illegitimate caller ID spoofing."

- Jean-Pierre Blais, CRTC Chairman

Related Products
Compliance and Enforcement Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-333
Compliance and Enforcement Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-333-1

Associated Links
Telemarketing and Unwanted Calls
Statement by the London Action Plan

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

For further information: Contacts: Media Relations, [phone]; General Inquiries: [phone], Toll-free 1 (877) 249-CRTC (2782), TTY [phone]