As of today, nine million numbers are listed on the Do Not Call Register—including two thirds of Australian households with a fixed line home phone and nearly four million mobiles.
‘The size of the register is an overwhelming endorsement of its effectiveness in significantly reducing telemarketing calls,’ said Australian Communications and Media Authority Chairman, Chris Chapman. ‘And public interest in the register continues to grow strongly, with one million new numbers being added in the last 12 months.’
Currently, the register includes around five million landlines and 3.85 million mobile numbers.
The register is administered by the ACMA and began in May 2007. When the ACMA receives complaints about a business calling numbers listed on the register, its first step is generally to send the business an advisory or warning notice. Nearly 5000 of these have been sent to businesses since May 2007; more than 80 per cent of businesses contacted in this way are the subject of no further complaints.
When complaints do continue, the ACMA may conduct an investigation. These have led to wide-ranging enforcement outcomes in the form of formal warnings, enforceable undertakings, infringement notices, and Federal Court penalties.
Further details of the ACMA’s actions against unwanted telemarketing calls can be found on acma-i.
Around 8,000 telemarketers have established accounts with the Do Not Call Register to enable them to check that their call lists don’t contain numbers on the register.
‘Listing your phone number on the Do Not Call Register is simple and free,’ Mr Chapman added. To register (or to lodge a complaint) just go to the Do Not Call Register or call 1300 792 958. Numbers remain for eight years and can be re-registered at any time.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, (02) 9334 7719 and 0434 652 063 or media@acma.gov.au.