27 September 2011
Telko pays price for calling numbers on the Do Not Call Register
Telecommunications service provider Telko Pty Ltd has paid a $52,800 penalty after the Australian Communications and Media Authority found a call centre used by the company made telemarketing calls to numbers listed on the Do Not Call Register.
The ACMA received 91 complaints in three months about Telko from people who had registered their number on the Do Not Call Register. The calls offered to switch the consumer’s phone plan to Telko.
The ACMA investigation found that Telko did not effectively supervise the Australian call centre that made telemarketing calls to numbers on the register. Even though the calls were made by the call centre, Telko has the ultimate responsibility to monitor compliance.
Businesses using an external call centre for telemarketing must make sure that the centre is checking its call lists against the Do Not Call Register before any telemarketing calls are made. They should also audit each call centre to ensure that it is only calling numbers that are not listed on the Do Not Call Register.
If organisations don’t meet their obligations under the Do Not Call Register Act, they could face serious penalties from the ACMA.
Members of the public can opt out of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls and marketing faxes by calling 1300 792 958 or by visiting www.donotcall.gov.au. Registration is free. Even if a consumer has an existing relationship with an organisation, the consumer can request that the organisation stop making telemarketing calls or sending marketing faxes.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or media@acma.gov.au.
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The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s strategic intent is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. For more information: www.acma.gov.au.
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