Do-not-call scammers back in business

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 16:41

IT Policy - Regulation

Consumers are again being warned to beware of unscrupulous telemarketers offering to list consumers' phone numbers on the Do Not Call Register for a fee.

'The Do Not Call Register is a free service provided by the Australian Government,' said ACMA chairman, Chris Chapman, who warned consumers not to provide any personal identification or financial details to telemarketers making these calls.

"If you receive a call from someone offering to list your number on the Do Not Call Register for a fee, we recommend you get as much information as possible from the caller and lodge a complaint with us by calling 1300 792 958 or by logging on to www.donotcall.gov.au."

H said the ACMA had received more than thirty complaints about these types of scams over the last month, although the actual number of scam calls being made is likely to be far higher.

Similar warnings were given in May 2007 in the run up to the register going live. Then communications minister, Helen Coonan, issued a statement warning consumers about door-knockers are offering to list their number for a fee. "I am aware that the ACMA has received reports of scammers charging as much as $79 to sign people up to the service," she said.

The scammers are likely to find much slimmer pickings today: almost five million numbers have already been registered.