AZE.US
People in Azerbaijan are increasingly complaining about unsolicited sales calls from unfamiliar numbers.
The callers may offer water filters, cosmetic treatments, medical services, training courses, loans, insurance products or special discounts.
Many people say they never gave their number to the company contacting them and have no idea how it ended up on a marketing list.
Marketing specialist Marat Namazov said phone numbers can reach businesses through several different channels.
People often share their contact details when signing up for websites and mobile apps, joining loyalty programs, entering prize drawings, applying for discount cards or filling out online forms.
In some cases, the terms and conditions may allow a company to use that information for advertising or share it with marketing partners. Many users accept those terms without reading the privacy policy closely.
Phone numbers may also be passed to third parties without proper authorization or exposed through a data leak. However, identifying the original source is often difficult.
Cold Calls From Companies You Cannot Identify
Namazov said aggressive phone marketing is often used by little-known businesses with almost no public profile.
Some have no clear website, no recognizable brand and very little information available online. Instead of attracting customers through regular advertising, they call people directly and try to sell products or services over the phone.
That approach often creates suspicion rather than trust.
Consumers are advised not to buy anything from an unfamiliar company simply because of an unexpected sales call.
Did You Give Permission Without Realizing It?
The collection, use and sharing of personal information generally require a legal basis and, in many cases, the person’s consent.
But that consent may be buried in the terms of a website, app or promotional offer.
A phone number may also have been provided to a bank, store, clinic, delivery company, insurance provider or another organization. Friends or relatives may sometimes share contact details as well.
This makes it difficult to determine exactly where a caller obtained a specific number.
Still, having someone’s phone number does not give a company the right to pressure that person into continuing the conversation or sharing more information.
What You Should Never Share
People should be cautious when answering calls from unknown companies and avoid disclosing sensitive information, including:
- bank card details;
- one-time verification codes;
- passport or ID information;
- home addresses;
- bank account details;
- information about loans or personal finances.
Consumers should also check privacy settings and marketing permissions when registering on websites or apps and avoid entering their phone number on unfamiliar platforms.
If a caller refuses to identify the company, provide its legal name or explain why they are calling, the safest option is to end the conversation.
AZE.US