How to stop unwanted marketing calls and messages: the NCC opt-out registry explained

Insurance offers. Cellphone upgrades. Loan deals. Investment "opportunities". Most of us get several marketing calls and messages a week, often from numbers we have never seen, at times that suit nobody.

South Africans received over 17 billion spam calls in the first half of 2026 alone, according to Truecaller. If it feels relentless, that is because it is.

The good news: as of this month there is a free, official way to take back control. I am an estate agent, so I deal with these rules every day from the other side. Here is a plain-language guide to how it works and how to do it yourself.

What changed in 2026

On 15 April 2026 the government published new regulations under the Consumer Protection Act. They give effect to a right South Africans have had on paper since 2011: the right to block direct marketing before it reaches you.

On 7 October 2026 the National Consumer Commission (NCC) launched the National Opt-Out Registry. It is free, run by government, and covers marketing by phone call, SMS, email, WhatsApp and other electronic messages.

It applies to every industry: banks, insurers, cellphone networks, call centres, retailers, estate agencies, car dealers and anyone else marketing directly to you. Every one of them now has to register with the NCC and check their contact lists against the registry every month before marketing. If you have blocked them, they have to remove you.

How to register a block (it is free)

1. Go to eservice.thencc.org.za and choose New Consumer.
2. You will need your ID number and a valid email address. Use your names exactly as they appear on your ID.
3. Add your cellphone number. You can add more than one, so add every number marketers have for you.
4. An NCC agent verifies your details. Once approved, you get an email with your login.
5. Log in and set up your pre-emptive block.

No email address? Call the NCC contact centre on 012 065 1940 and they can create your profile for you.

One warning, straight from the NCC: if someone calls offering to put you on the registry, do not let them. It is free and easy to do yourself, so treat that kind of call as a red flag.

You choose what to block

This is the part most people do not realise. A block does not have to be all or nothing.

• A general block stops direct marketing from everyone.
• A specific block can target a particular company, a channel (for example, email only), a category of product, or a whole sector.

So you can shut out the insurer that calls every week while still hearing from your bank. Or block every call centre but keep the newsletter you actually read. You decide who gets through.

When it starts working

The rollout is phased, so be aware of the timing:

• Now until December 2026: businesses register as direct marketers.
• December 2026 to April 2027: businesses practise cleaning their lists against the registry.
• From May 2027: consumer blocks are fully enforced.

You can register now so your blocks are in place from day one. After that, any change you make takes up to 30 days to take effect, and your registration is confirmed every 5 years.

The registry only works on legitimate, registered businesses. It cannot physically block calls, and it will not stop scammers who ignore the law.

What you can do today, without waiting

You do not need the registry to make someone stop. Under the Consumer Protection Act, you can tell any marketer to stop contacting you, and they must. Under POPIA (the privacy law), a business you have no relationship with may only contact you once by WhatsApp, SMS or email to ask for permission. If you say no, or ignore them, that is the end of it.

A few more rules worth knowing:

• Every marketing message must say who it is from and how to reach them.
• Marketing calls are not allowed on Sundays or public holidays, on Saturdays before 09:00 or after 13:00, or on any other day before 08:00 or after 20:00.
• If a business keeps contacting you after you have said no, you can complain to the NCC through the same eservice site, or to the Information Regulator.

Normal admin is not affected. Your bank can still call about your account, and a business you asked for a quote can still follow up on it.

Why I am writing this as an agent

Plenty of people are surprised that an estate agent would explain how to block marketing. I think it is a good change.

Most good businesses, agents included, reach out because they believe they can genuinely help, and many people are glad they took the call. But that only works when you actually want to hear from them. The registry puts that choice back where it belongs, with you.

I work with homeowners in Heathfield, Southfield, Elfindale and the rest of the Southern Suburbs, and I would much rather speak to a few people who want my help than many who do not.

So if I have contacted you and you would rather I did not, just reply "stop". I will remove you from my lists straight away and you will not hear from me again. No hard feelings.

If you would like to stay in the loop, reply "yes", or join my monthly VIP list for real sold prices in your suburb, one email a month, unsubscribe any time. Prefer to chat first? You can WhatsApp me directly.

This is a plain-language summary of the 2026 rules, not legal advice. The NCC is still finalising its guidelines, so details may change.

Which marketing calls would you block first?