Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has suggested businesses executives should be held responsible if their companies use repeated cold calling.
He made the comment as an action plan was agreed to tackle nuisance calls which leave people “distressed and frustrated”.
Consumer watchdog Which? recently reported 80% of people say they are disturbed by cold calls and texts every day.
Mr McArthur said at Holyrood: “Too many people, particularly older and more vulnerable people, have been left distressed and frustrated by nuisance calls.
“Indeed, one Orkney constituent described them as a ‘personal assault’.
“Which? recommend new legislation to hold board level executives to account and this is something that Scottish ministers should also support north of the border.
“If this repeated cold calling was happening door-to-door and face-to-face with the elderly and vulnerable in our communities then we would rightly be up in arms.
“Just because the intimidation is happening over the phone should make no difference. We must call time on nuisance calls and texts.”
Conservative MSP Nanette Milne also called for action on the issue, saying more than 300 people in the north-east had complained about nuisance calls in the Which? study.