30 November 2006
ACMA warns about people claiming to sell access to Do Not Call Register
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has warned consumers to be wary of people offering to register their details on the national Do Not Call Register and charge them for the service.
‘These individuals do not represent ACMA and they do not have any authority from ACMA to collect details and charge consumers for entry on the register,’ said Grant Symons, Executive Manager of ACMA’s Converging Services Branch.
‘ACMA is obviously concerned about the claims they are making because entering numbers onto the Do Not Call Register will be free.
‘Consumers should report anyone making this offer to ACMA so we can better investigate it.’
The Do Not Call Register will be operational no later than May 2007. It is being established in response to the increasing levels of community concern about the growth in unsolicited telemarketing calls.
Under the Do Not Call Register Act 2006, ACMA is responsible for establishing and overseeing the operation of the Do Not Call Register and for developing and establishing national standards for minimum levels of conduct by telemarketers.
Once the Do Not Call Register is operating, individuals with Australian fixed line and mobile numbers will be able to list their numbers. It will be illegal, in the absence of consent, for any non-exempt telemarketer in Australia or overseas to contact a number listed in the register.
ACMA will be responsible for overseeing the register’s operation and investigating breaches of the Do Not Call Register legislation.
More information on the Do Not Call Register, including updates on the register’s progress is available at www.acma.gov.au/donotcall
Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7980.
Backgrounder
Legislation to establish the Do Not Call Register scheme received Royal Assent on 30 June 2006. The Australian Government introduced the legislation in response to the increasing level of community concern about the growth in unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The government announced funding of $33.1 million over four years for developing and implementing the Do Not Call Register scheme, of which approximately $15.9 million was anticipated to be recovered from the telemarketing industry through the payment of fees to access the register. Full cost recovery of the register’s operating costs is intended to occur from January 2011.
Under the Do Not Call Register legislation, ACMA is responsible for establishing and overseeing the operation of the Do Not Call Register and for developing and establishing a national standard for minimum levels of conduct by telemarketers.
Do Not Call Register
On 5 October 2006, ACMA called for tenders for the development and operation of the national Do Not Call Register. The tender period closed on 2 November 2006 and tenders are now being evaluated.
The Do Not Call Register is due to be operational not later than May 2007. The register operator will be responsible for:
- building, commissioning, keeping, operating and administering the register
- promoting and raising awareness of the register, and
- handling complaints and enquiries about the register’s operation.
Once the Do Not Call Register is operating, individuals with Australian fixed line and mobile numbers will be able to list their numbers on it. It will be illegal, in the absence of consent, for any non-exempt telemarketer in Australia or overseas to contact a number listed on the register.
ACMA will continue to be responsible for overseeing the register’s operation and investigating breaches of the Do Not Call Register legislation.
Industry and public education
To raise awareness of the register and the telemarketing standard, ACMA is developing an education program covering both industry and consumers.
