These prefixes have become symbols of a modern scourge: intensive, often automated, sometimes aggressive, and always invasive telephone canvassing. If these numbers make our lives miserable, it's because they are designed to do so without too much risk for those who use them.
09-48 numbers: VoIP call centers
Numbers beginning with 09 are not geographically localized. Assigned by Arcep to various telecom operators, they are widely used for IP telephony (VoIP). In practice, this allows companies or platforms to manage very high call volumes without heavy infrastructure. The 09 48 sub-prefix is particularly popular with call centers, especially those operating from abroad, to conduct canvassing campaigns in the insurance, energy renovation, or fiber internet sectors. This technical choice allows them to bypass certain blockages or filters put in place by users or operators.
01-62 numbers: the Île-de-France region… but not only
For their part, 01 62 numbers, although belonging to the Île-de-France region, are not managed solely by local companies. They are often so-called “virtual” numbers rented from telephone companies or communication platforms. Some of them are even programmed to display a false identity or change number regularly, making any traceability extremely difficult. It is this opacity that makes canvassing so aggressive: behind these calls, it is rare to be able to clearly identify the sender.
Why does it never stop?
This type of call is not always intended to directly sell a product. This could be a "test" call, to verify that the line is active and that you answer, in order to then resell your number to other companies. It could also be a phishing attempt, where a human or synthetic voice attempts to retrieve personal or banking information. In all cases, the reflex to adopt is simple: never call back an unknown or suspicious number, and even less share sensitive data.
Faced with this surge, protection tools are not lacking, but remain imperfect. Registering on Bloctel, the list for opting out of telephone canvassing, theoretically allows you to no longer be contacted by canvassers, unless you have given your explicit consent to certain companies. In practice, many calls come from organizations located outside of France or using illegal files. Applications like Truecaller, Orange Téléphone, or Hiya can help automatically identify and block these numbers. You can also configure your smartphone to reject unknown calls, but this remains a radical and sometimes restrictive solution.
What French law says
In terms of legislation, France has strengthened its legal arsenal against abusive canvassing in recent years. Since March 1, 2023, a company can no longer contact an individual registered on Bloctel more than four times per month for the same product or service. Canvassing is also prohibited on weekends, public holidays, and outside the following hours: Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Offenders are liable to fines of up to €75,000 for a legal entity, or even more in the event of a repeat offense or use of unauthorized files.
But the reality on the ground shows that these rules are still widely circumvented. While waiting for a firmer response from operators, regulatory authorities, and the platforms that host these numbers, user vigilance remains the first line of defense against these calls that poison everyday life.
However, a more recent law was adopted in May 2025, and prohibits telephone canvassing without prior consumer consent, but it will not come into force until August 2026! This law requires companies to obtain explicit, free, and informed consent before contacting an individual for commercial purposes. It replaces the current opt-out system with a voluntary opt-in system. Violators are exposed to increased penalties.
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