Unwanted calls or text messages

Are you receiving threatening or insulting text messages? Are you being stalked or harassed on your mobile phone? Or do you regularly receive calls from an unknown number? Various actions can be taken, depending on the telephone number.

Do you often receive calls from an unknown or foreign number?

Does an unknown, often foreign number with a different country code than the Belgian +32, call you and do you hear a recording, static or nothing at all when you pick up? These are call centers that dial 10 numbers simultaneously: the first one to answer gets a salesperson on the line. The other nine numbers don't hear anything but will be called back later by the system. This is annoying, but often temporary.

• Never call back an unknown number

  Never answer calls from numbers you don't know, especially international numbers (e.g. with country code +176, +88 or +372). Do not under any circumstances call back such numbers. They are often calls from fraudulent premium-rate numbers which charge excessively high rates, causing your bill to skyrocket.

• Block the number on your mobile phone

  On most smartphones you can block contacts and known or unknown numbers. The guidelines for this are set out in your phone's user manual. Unfortunately neither we, nor the Telecom Ombudsman's Office can block these numbers for you.

• Register on the "Do Not Call Me List"

  Never want to receive sales calls again? Register free of charge on the Do Not Call Me ListOpens a new window .

• If necessary, change your number

  If you receive calls from an unknown number, this is usually a temporary situation. However, if it keeps on happening, contact our customer serviceOpens a new window and ask for your telephone number and/or mobile number to be changed. It's free for your mobile number, but costs €33.28 for your fixed telephone number.

Identifying an Unknown Number

Before calling back a number you don't recognize, it's best to verify the reliability of the number. While some calls may be harmless, others could be linked to fraud, premium-rate numbers, or phone spam.

Although in Belgium it is not possible to search for personal data or a person's contact details, there are several ways to try to identify a number safely.

• Search the number online
  Start by searching the number in question with the country code in a search engine. This allows you to see if any spam reports have been made about this number. If this is the case and several people have reported the number as suspicious, do not call it back.
• Check telephone directories
  You can then search the number on White pagesOpens a new window or infobel.beOpens a new window , where you might find information about the owner of the number. If the owner of the number is self-employed, you can also try searching the number on Golden pagesOpens a new window .

You can also:

• Call 1212 or 1207 for Belgian information
• Call 1212 or 1204 for international information
• Call 1234 to receive the name and address corresponding to a Belgian phone number.

You can also use 1234 to request information via SMS. For example:

• Send 051/23 44 90 to 1234 to receive a Belgian name and address.

Please note, however, that not all mobile numbers are published in directories.

Are you being threatened, stalked or harassed?

• Block the number on your mobile phone

  On most smartphones you can block contacts and known or unknown numbers. The guidelines on this are explained in your phone's user manual.

• Identify the caller

  Try to find out who is the caller. Didn’t find the caller? Then submit the form for a complaintOpens a new window relating to malicious calls at the Telecom Ombudsman's Office. Does the OmbudsmanOpens a new window give us a green light after your complaint? Then we can provide the necessary information to the Ombudsman.

• File a complaint with the police

  If you are receiving insulting, threatening or fraudulent calls, we advise that you file a complaint with the police. This can also be done against unknown parties. An investigation will subsequently be launched at the request of the public prosecutor.

• If necessary, change your number

  Contact our customer serviceOpens a new window and ask for your telephone number and/or mobile number to be changed. It's free for your mobile number, but costs €33.28 for your fixed telephone number. Do you use your mobile number to log in to certain websites? Don't forget to change your mobile number for MyProximusOpens a new window , WhatsAppOpens a new window , FacebookOpens a new window , GoogleOpens a new window , etc. to keep your personal data private when you change your mobile number.