Try this simple trick to stop receiving annoying cold calls in Spain: The secret of the Robinson List

There’s a simple method to stop Spanish companies incessantly phoning with new offers

It’s certainly not a problem that is confined to Spain, but it’s certainly very common and extremely frustrating when you get unsolicited calls from all types of companies giving you the same old spiel in Spanish.

You know the type: if it’s not your bank phoning to tell you about their new credit card offer it’s your insurance company waxing lyrical about their new comprehensive ad-ons. The calls themselves may not cost us anything, but they can be irritating and time-consuming.

This is where the Robinson List comes in.

If you’ve never heard of it, the Robinson List originally emerged way back in 1993 as a self-regulatory measure by companies in the catalogue sales sector. Over time it evolved, and today the regulations include a means to screen unwanted telephone, SMS and email communication.

To register, all you have to do is go to the website listarobinson.es where you’ll be prompted to enter personal details such as your DNI, NIE or NIF number along with your name, date of birth and contact details.

From there, it’s a simple matter of selecting which kinds of advertising communication you’d rather not suffer through.

According to the Robinson List: “In accordance with article 23.4 of the Organic Law on the Protection of Personal Data and guarantee of digital rights, all companies that do not have the consent of the recipients must consult the Robinson List before making a commercial call.”

If you’ve registered with the Robinson List and indicated, for instance, that you’re ok with emails but not texts or phone calls, businesses have no option but to comply by law. The agency does advise, however, that it may take up to two months after you’re registered for your status to take effect.

Signing up to the Robinson List is completely free for everyone as it is paid for by the commercial companies obliged to consult it before cold calling.

You might also like: Phone scam—never call back numbers with these prefixes

Image: Archive

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)