Saying no to street sellers, fundraisers and sales calls

Key rules

• Say no once: Refuse once, clearly, and leave, close the door or hang up without apologising.
• Withdrawal: If you agree to a contract by phone, you have 14 calendar days to withdraw without giving a reason.
• Nothing on the spot: Never hand over a signature, bank details, ID number or phone number to someone who approaches you.
• Lista Robinson: Registering is free and cuts down advertising calls, but it does not stop fraudsters or companies you already deal with.

The short answer

Say no once, clearly, and leave. You do not owe anyone an explanation, an apology or a conversation. Do not give your signature, bank details, ID number or phone number, and do not let anyone in.

What to say

Short phrases work best. Say one, then walk away, close the door or hang up.

• Street sellers: "No, gracias." or "Ya tengo, gracias."
• Fundraisers: "No tengo tiempo, gracias." or "No doy dinero en la calle." You can also say "Ya colaboro con otra organización."
• Door-to-door sellers: "No, gracias, buenos días." or "No abro la puerta a vendedores."
• Telemarketers: "No quiero ofertas, adiós." Then hang up. If they call again, tell them to delete your data: "Borren mis datos."

Common approaches to expect

Fundraisers for charities often work in pairs and wear bibs. They want a monthly donation and will ask for your name, ID and bank account number (IBAN). You can refuse all of it. Petition signers, people selling tissues, flowers or lottery items, and door-to-door sellers of electricity, gas, phone contracts or alarms are also common.

A real energy salesperson cannot demand that you sign on the spot. If someone says they are a meter inspector or work for your utility, do not let them in. Phone your utility company on its usual number and ask. Fake inspectors exist.

On the street, a friendly approach can be a distraction. Keep your phone and bag close.

If you said yes by phone

A spoken yes on a sales call can count as agreeing to a contract. If you agree to a contract by phone, you have 14 calendar days to withdraw without giving a reason. The same 14-day right applies to a contract signed at your home. Withdraw in writing and keep a copy.

Cutting down sales calls

Register your phone numbers on Lista Robinson. It is free, you can list several numbers, and you choose which channels to block (phone, post, email, SMS). Advertisers must check the list, but it can take about a month to take effect.

It has limits. It does not stop calls from companies you already have a contract with or have agreed to hear from. It also does not stop fraudulent callers. Companies need your consent before making commercial calls, whether or not you are on the list.

If a company keeps calling without your consent, complain to the AEPD, the data protection agency.

Use the tools below

The checklist, decision guide and FAQ below give quick reminders you can use in the moment.

Choosing between options

How should you respond to someone who approaches you selling or asking for something?

• Refuse and walk away: A street seller, petition signer or fundraiser asks for money, a signature or your details.

• Close the door: A door-to-door seller wants to come in or asks you to sign a contract for energy, gas, phone or an alarm.

• Check with the company first: Someone says they represent your utility or inspect your meter and you are unsure; contact the company directly before agreeing.

• Ask for time and withdraw later: You already signed a contract at home; you have 14 calendar days to withdraw.

If you are unsure, do not sign, give no details and check with the company yourself.

Timeline and deadlines

• Say no once, clearly, and walk away or close the door without signing or handing over anything: as soon as the approach starts

• If the seller says they are from your energy or phone company, check with that company before agreeing to anything: before you sign

• If you did sign a contract at your home, withdraw from it: within 14 calendar days of signing

Checklist

• Say your refusal once, clearly, and keep walking without apologising.

• Keep your bank details, ID number (DNI or NIE), signature and phone number to yourself.

• Keep the door closed to anyone you did not invite in.

• Do not sign anything on the spot, even if the seller says the offer ends today.

• Check with your utility company if someone claims to be a meter inspector or its representative.

• Keep your phone and bag close when a street approach distracts you.

• Register your phone numbers on Lista Robinson, the free list that tells advertisers not to call you.

Saying yes on a sales call can sign you to a contract

• A spoken yes can count as agreement: A contract agreed only by phone can be valid in Spain. Words like "sí", "vale", "de acuerdo", "acepto" or "conforme" can be used as proof you agreed, especially if the call is recorded. Even a "sí" to "¿me escucha?" can be misused. So can giving your bank details, confirming your address or ID, or pressing a key when asked. Say you do not agree to any contract by phone. Ask for the offer in writing by email, give no personal or bank details, and ask for the company name and the call recording. Decide only after reading the terms.

• You can still withdraw after a phone contract: If you agree to a contract by phone, you have 14 calendar days to withdraw without giving a reason. This is called desistimiento. The seller must confirm the contract in writing, for example by email, and must tell you about this right. Tell the company you are withdrawing, in writing and in a way that leaves proof, such as an email with confirmation, a burofax or registered mail. Keep a copy. Sending it within the period is enough. The company must refund you within 14 days of being told.

• A contract you never agreed to: A company may register a contract you do not remember agreeing to. If a company called you, you are bound only after you sign the offer or give written consent, such as by email. Complain to the company's customer service first. If that fails, go to your town hall's consumer office (OMIC) or your regional consumer authority. They can also point you to consumer arbitration or the courts as the last routes.

Frequently asked questions

Does Lista Robinson stop all sales calls?

No, Lista Robinson does not stop every sales call, because it only covers companies that check the list. It does not block calls from firms you already have a contract with or have agreed to hear from, and it does not stop scam callers. It is free, and registration takes effect after about a month.

What can I say to a telemarketer who keeps calling?

Say "No quiero ofertas, por favor no me llamen más" and, if you want, "Quiero que borren mis datos". You can also say "Estoy en la lista Robinson". A company needs your consent to make commercial calls, so you can complain to the data protection agency (AEPD) if the calls continue.

What can I say to a door-to-door seller I do not want to talk to?

Say "No me interesa, gracias, buenos días" or "No abro la puerta a vendedores", then close the door. You do not have to let anyone in. If someone says they are a meter inspector, check with your utility company before opening.

Should I apologise or explain when I refuse a fundraiser?

No, you do not need to apologise or explain; say it once clearly and keep walking. "No tengo tiempo, gracias" or "Ya colaboro con otra organización" is enough.