Business calls from mobile numbers have become one of the most intrusive practices for those who use mobile phones in SpainAlthough regulations have taken a significant turn in recent months, many people continue to receive unsolicited communications, highlighting the scale of the problem and the need to understand the tools and rights currently available to address it.
With the entry into force of new regulations, the Government has opted for a much stricter stance against telephone spam and scams that are hidden in many of these calls. The objective is clear: protect users, restrict the use of certain numbers and offer simple alternatives to protect the privacy and peace of mind of those who use a smartphone.
The new regulations: goodbye to commercial calls from mobile phones
The modification of the General Telecommunications Law and the publication of Order TDF/149/2025 has meant the express prohibition of making commercial calls using mobile numbers (i.e., those beginning with 6 or 7) in Spain. Now, to contact users for sales or promotional purposes, companies must use only geographic numbers, toll-free prefixes (800 or 900), or other properly identified numbers, not mobile numbers.
This law also requires operators to block calls and SMS messages from international sources that attempt to impersonate Spanish numbers and prohibit any communication originating from numbers not officially assigned to a service or customer. These measures are directly aimed at curbing the use of tricks and automated systems that facilitated the work of scammers and companies that circumvented the previous restrictions.
According to the police, This limitation allows citizens to more easily identify potential fraud., since any commercial call from a mobile phone is now illegal. The official recommendation is to hang up immediately and not provide any information if you receive this type of contact.
Telephone scams: how they operate and why the law is necessary
Telephone fraud techniques have become more sophisticated. In many cases, Criminals only need the victim's voice to manipulate recordings and authorize fraudulent banking transactions or contracts. In what is known as "yes fraud," seemingly harmless statements such as “Yes”, “Hello” or “Hello” may be edited and used to the detriment of the user.
This type of fraud attempt is estimated to have increased alarmingly, prompting legislative intervention. The Ministry for Digital Transformation has confirmed that Telephone scam attempts have increased by up to 500% in the last decade, which constitutes a real threat to the population.
The most frequent victims are usually older people or those who answer unknown calls automaticallyTherefore, it is essential not to respond impulsively and to avoid short phrases that can be easily manipulated.
What measures do the new laws include?
The approved legislative package obliges companies and operators to:
- Prohibit the use of mobile phones for business calls.
- Block fraudulent international calls and messages pretending to have Spanish numbers.
- Deny communication from numbers not assigned to operators, services or official clients.
These measures position Spain as one of the most advanced countries in protecting against telephone spam and place operators at the forefront of defense, as they are responsible for filtering and denying this type of contact.
Tools to protect your phone: features on Android and iOS
Beyond the law, both Apple like Google have implemented specific features to help users defend themselves against spam and unwanted calls. In iOS 26, Apple introduces the 'Call filter', which blocks communications from unknown numbers and spam without the need for an Internet connection. Android has long included security systems Spam identification and filtering in the Phone app, especially on Pixel devices.
Among the main functions, it is possible to:
- Block calls from unknown numbers or automatically silence them.
- Filter suspicious messages in messaging apps, such as Android Messages or iMessage.
- Record problematic numbers and review them in your call history or specific spam folders.
Enabling these features from your phone's settings allows you to manage many communications without interrupting the user experience.
Additional strategies: privacy, apps, and user rights
Custom the privacy to hide the number on outgoing calls can make a big difference. On Android, this is done from the Phone app by disabling the 'Show Caller ID' option. On iOS, the process is similar in the Phone section of the general settings. This small change reduces the likelihood that automated dialing systems will identify and block "private" numbers.
There are also applications like Truecaller that identify and block commercial or potentially fraudulent numbers. In addition, the Robinson List allows users to opt out of receiving marketing calls, although it may take a few weeks for the full effectiveness to be noticed.
Other useful tips include:
- Ask companies to arrange for our number to be removed from their databases.
- Never share personal or banking information over the phone without verifying the identity of the other party.
- Report suspicious numbers to both the operator and the authorities if you detect scams.
How to respond to a suspicious call: practical recommendations
Cybersecurity experts recommend:
- Avoid answering with affirmations like "yes" or "hello." Instead, ask questions. “Who’s calling?” or “How can I help you?”.
- Wait a few seconds for the other person to identify themselves before answering.
- Do not provide personal or banking information under any circumstances.
- Activate alerts on bank accounts to detect possible unauthorized access.
- Be cautious with international calls that appear to be local.
In the event of a suspicious call, It is advisable to hang up immediatelyIf the persistence continues, block the number and report it to the operator or official agencies.
Thanks to ban on commercial calls on mobile phones With new management tools on our phones, it's easier to keep scams and spam at bay. While there's still work to be done in implementing and monitoring these measures, users now have more resources and legal support to protect their privacy and security in mobile communications.
