17 billion spam calls in six months. How to block telemarketers
The National Consumer Commission's free Opt-Out Registry lets you block sales calls and SMSes from direct marketers. Here's how to sign up, when the calls should stop, and why it won't block scammers.
You can sign up now on the National Consumer Commission's free Opt-Out Registry to block sales calls and SMSes from direct marketers. But the calls won't stop overnight: marketers have until December 2026 to register, and the NCC only starts charging them to clean their lists against the registry after 15 April 2027 (TechCentral, NCC).
South Africans received 17.47 billion spam calls between January and June 2026, up 25.2% on a year earlier, and spam SMSes rose 58.9% to 3.71 billion, the NCC says, citing Truecaller (NCC).
How do I register on the Opt-Out Registry?
Registration is free. You need a valid email address and your ID number, and you must use your names as they appear on your ID (NCC). A passport number also works (TechCentral). Foreign nationals living in South Africa can register too (NCC).
- Go to eservice.thencc.org.za and choose to register as a new consumer.
- Accept the terms and enter your ID or passport number, name, address, email and phone numbers (TechCentral).
- Wait for the NCC to verify your details. You get an email with your username and password once your profile is approved (NCC).
- Log in, open the "Pre-emptive block" tab and choose the marketers and types of campaigns you want to block (NCC).
You can add more than one phone number, and you must register a new number if yours changes (NCC). If you don't have email, the NCC's contact centre can create your profile for you (NCC).
Never let a caller "put you on the registry". The NCC says it's free and you should do it yourself (NCC).
When will the sales calls stop?
| Phase | Dates | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Marketer registration | 15 September to December 2026 | Direct marketers must sign up |
| Free list cleansing | December 2026 to 15 April 2027 | Marketers remove blocked numbers at no cost |
| Enforcement | From mid April 2027 | NCC enforces cleansing, with a fee |
Sources: NCC, TechCentral.
Once a block is in place, it can take up to 30 days for sales calls from that marketer to stop (NCC). Any change you make to your blocks takes effect 30 days after you register it (NCC).
Will it stop scam calls?
No. The registry tells legitimate marketers which numbers not to contact. It can't block calls, and it won't stop scammers who ignore it (NCC). You can also only block marketers that have registered on the system (TechCentral).
Calls about an account you already have, a delivery or a complaint aren't affected, but a sales pitch added to such a call counts as direct marketing, according to the NCC's draft guidelines (TechCentral).
What about consent I gave years ago?
Under the draft guidelines, any earlier consent becomes invalid once you register a block against that marketer, including consent in the fine print of an old contract (TechCentral).
Does my registration expire?
Every five years, the NCC will ask you to confirm you want to stay on the registry. If you don't confirm, your registration is deactivated (NCC).
FAQ
Is the National Opt-Out Registry free?
Yes. Registering and setting up blocks against direct marketers is free for consumers.
Where do I register to stop spam calls?
On the National Consumer Commission's e-service site, eservice.thencc.org.za. Register as a new consumer, then set pre-emptive blocks once your profile is approved.
How long until marketing calls stop?
Up to 30 days after you block a registered marketer. Marketers have until December 2026 to register and until 15 April 2027 to clean their lists for free.
Will the registry block scam calls?
No. It only covers legitimate direct marketers registered on the system. It can't block calls or stop scammers who ignore it.