ACMA continues to pursue companies breaching the telemarketing rules in Australia
Australia’s Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) is continuing to clamp down on businesses breaching Telemarketing rules.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin announced that vacation time-share marketing company Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific Pty Ltd has paid a $159,600 infringement notice following an investigation into breaches of telemarketing rules.
O’Loughlin said an investigation found Wyndham Destinations was unable to demonstrate it had consent for calls made to numbers on the Do Not Call Register and failed to terminate calls after recipients indicated they did not wish to continue.
“It’s important for companies to make sure their telemarketing practices are up to scratch, and unfortunately on this occasion that wasn’t the case,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“The rules around this are clear. When someone states that they do not want a telemarketing call to continue, that call must be terminated.”
Ms O’Loughlin said telemarketers must be aware of their responsibilities when making calls to numbers on the Do Not Call Register.
“The Do Not Call Register exists for a reason. The numbers on the register belong to people who do not want to receive these kinds of telemarketing calls,” she said.
“Businesses need to be able to demonstrate they have consent for calls to numbers listed on the Do Not Call Register or they are going to find themselves in trouble.”
Wyndham Destinations was found to have breached the Telecommunications (Telemarketing and Research Calls) Industry Standard 2017 (Telemarketing Industry Standard) and the Do Not Call Register Act 2006.
Penalties for businesses in breach of Australia’s telemarketing rules include formal warnings, infringement notices or action in the Federal Court.
Over the last 18 months, businesses have paid a total of $623,700 in infringement notices for breaking spam and telemarketing laws.
To make a complaint about telemarketing or to list your number on the Do Not Call Register, go to donotcall.gov.au or call
1300 792 958.
Recommended further reading: How to Stop Telemarketing Calls in Australia
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