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Prefix 0303 Is No Longer Mandatory for Telemarketing Calls. Anatel Decides to Make the Use of Prefix 0303 Optional, Arguing That Identification Deterred Consumers Even from Legitimate Calls.
Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) has decided that companies no longer need to use the prefix 0303 to identify telemarketing calls. The rule, created in 2022, aimed to facilitate the identification of these calls, but it is now optional. According to the agency, the requirement had adverse effects, causing consumers to block or ignore all calls with this number.
For Vicente Aquino, a councilor of Anatel, the prefix 0303 has ended up creating a stigma against legitimate calls, even harming non-profit organizations. The measure mainly affects companies that make more than 10,000 calls per day, which were previously required to use the code.
New Rule for Large Operations
Despite the end of the requirement for the prefix 0303, Anatel has established that companies with more than 500,000 monthly calls must adopt mandatory call authentication. This feature, known as Verified Origin, allows for identifying the company, displaying a logo and reason for the contact, as well as ensuring the traceability of the call.
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According to data from the agency, 48 operators already offer the service, covering over 95% of fixed and mobile lines in the country. The estimate is that 1.8 billion authenticated calls will be made per month.
Criticism and Concerns about Fraud
Idec (Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection) criticized the decision, stating that the revocation of the prefix 0303 favors telemarketing companies and harms consumers’ right to information. According to the entity, the code helped identify unwanted calls and even scams.
The agency reminds that Brazil is a world leader in receiving abusive telemarketing calls, with over 1 billion calls per month — an average of 743 per inhabitant.
Alternatives for Consumers
Even with the end of the requirement for the prefix 0303, consumers can still resort to tools such as the “Do Not Call” registry from Procon-SP, which blocks unauthorized calls, messages, and charges. Call-blocking apps and native smartphone features also help filter unwanted contacts.
Anatel stated that it will continue to work on actions to curb abuses and fraud, including a specific plan to combat SMS scams in the next 120 days.
The end of the requirement for the prefix 0303 marks a significant change in how telemarketing will be identified in Brazil. For some, the measure facilitates contact from legitimate companies; for others, it opens the door for more unwanted calls.
And you, do you believe that the removal of prefix 0303 will improve communication or increase abuses in telemarketing? Share your opinion in the comments — we want to hear from those who experience this reality daily.
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