How to Report and Stop Bank Spam Calls: Complaint Venues and Disabling Options
Sick of pesky bank representatives harassing you with unsolicited calls? Here's how to put an end to it.
Firstly, it's essential to figure out if you inadvertently agreed to receive promotional calls. This often happens subtly when signing up for mobile service contracts. Look through the terms and conditions or the operator's usage guidelines, as they might state that you agree to receive not only promotional messages from the operator but also from third parties.
To stop the nuisance, the first step is to thoroughly review your contract and the operator's official rules. Check if you consented to promotional calls, and if you did, you can revoke that consent. The Advertising Act explicitly prohibits the spread of ads via phone calls without the subscriber's prior consent.
To decline promotional calls:
- Hand-deliver a written statement: Submit the revocation request in person at the operator's office and get a receipt or proof of delivery.
Important: Verbal or electronic communication may not be considered valid evidence in case of disputes.
The operator is legally obliged to cease promotional messages and calls without charging any fee. If the operator violates this rule, you have the right to file a complaint with the FAS (Federal Anti-monopoly Service).
What to do if the promotions persist:
Continued promotions after submitting the revocation request are considered a violation of the Advertising Act. In such a case, you should file a complaint with the nearest FAS office.
To submit a complaint to the FAS, prepare the following documents:
- a copy of the revocation request, along with proof of delivery (receipt or delivery confirmation)
- screenshots of the promotional SMS or recorded phone calls received after your revocation
- call logs detailing calls related to your phone number during the promotional period
- your mobile service contract
- a consent form for disclosing your personal information, signed personally.
The FAS cannot process your complaint without these documents.
When filing a complaint with the FAS, include the following information:
- the name and contact details of the promotional message sender (if known)
- the period during which promotions occurred
- the phone numbers from which and to which calls were made
- the nature of your relationship with the promotional message sender (for example, if you are a bank customer)
- your demand to cease the violation of the law.
Alpha Bank Recently Fined 1.8 Million RUB for Spamming Tomsk Residents
Can I file a complaint directly with the bank?
If you know the specific bank or company that's calling you and are ready to take action directly, you can submit a written demand to stop promotional calls. This should be composed similarly to the revocation request for the operator, with the possibility of proving delivery.
If the bank or another company disregards your demand and continues to call, this constitutes additional grounds for filing a complaint with the FAS.
Compiled based on information from the FAS Russia website
- If you had inadvertently agreed to receive promotional calls from third parties when signing up for mobile service contracts, you can revoke your consent by hand-delivering a written statement to the operator's office and getting a receipt or proof of delivery.
- In section 2025, the business sector, including personal finance, should adhere to the Advertising Act that prohibits the spread of ads via phone calls without the subscriber's prior consent.
- When filing a complaint with the FAS against a bank or another company for continued promotional calls despite a written demand to stop, ensure to include a copy of the demand, call logs, screenshots of promotional messages, a consent form for disclosing personal information, and the mobile service contract.
- Recently, Alpha Bank was fined 1.8 million RUB for spamming Tomsk residents, exemplifying the legal consequences for violating the Advertising Act.
