The Do Not Call register is a major consumer success, as ACMA’s media release below attests. It allows consumers to choose whether or not they want to receive unsolicited marketing calls. It has some limitations that not all consumers support – for example you can’t stop charities or politicians from calling your number.
The justification for a Do Not Call register is to provide consumers with power to decide whether or not to take calls. Calls are often intrusive and in some cases can allow marketers to exploit consumer vulnerabilities that lead to financial or other consumer problems.
8 million numbers protected; but 8 million front doors are fair game
If telephone marketing is problematic, then so too is door to door selling, possibly more so. That’s why consumer groups and others have promoted the Do Not Knock sticker. Many including Consumer Action and MP Steve Georganas have also argued for a Do Not Knock register that would operate in a a similar way in relation to door to door selling. The proposed Do Not Knock register was recently knocked back (sorry ..) by a Parliamentary Committee, but it doesn’t hurt to express our view – leave a comment below or send a note to your MP.
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Do Not Call Register tops eight million numbers!
Nearly two thirds of Australian households have registered eight million Australian phone and fax numbers on the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Do Not Call Register.
‘The register has grown impressively since it began in 2007 and this milestone shows just how much Australians have embraced the register to avoid telemarketers’ unsolicited phone, mobile and fax calls,’ said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman.
‘Our research tells us that nearly 90 per cent of those registered notice a significant reduction in these unwanted calls and faxes.’
‘The ACMA is steadfastly committed to ensuring businesses comply with Australia’s telemarketing laws through our investigation and education activities,’ Mr Chapman said. ‘For example, a new ACMA telemarketing blog is now available and provides best practice guidance for marketers.’
As at 30 June 2012, 6,725 telemarketers and 193 fax marketers established accounts to check numbers since the register began. So far, more than 5.4 billion numbers have been checked against the register.
The Do Not Call Register is a free service listing private numbers (mobiles, fixed lines and faxes) and business fax numbers to opt out of receiving most unsolicited telemarketing calls, or marketing faxes.
Some public interest organisations—including government bodies, charities, religious organisations, opinion pollsters and political parties—are exempt under the Do Not Call Register Act and are therefore allowed to call numbers on the register at certain times.
Numbers can remain on the register for six years, although registrants may re-register or opt out at any stage
For registrations or complaints visit www.donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958.
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