Nuisance calls persist

COMPLAINTS continue about nuisance calls from telemarketing groups.
Since the launch of the Do Not Call Register, the office of MP Fran Bailey has received weekly calls from people wanting to sign up.
While most marketing companies appeared to be making genuine efforts to comply with their obligations under the Do Not Call Register Act 2006, Ms Bailey said she had received several public complaints about unsolicited calls.
“They are sick of having their family time interrupted by these nuisance calls.”
Ms Bailey has warned telemarketing groups against making nuisance calls to local residents listed on the Do Not Call Register.
“Some involve salespeople calling on behalf of large corporations and misusing the ‘inferred consent’ exemption with established customers, others are individuals claiming to be exempt because they are conducting social research,” the MP said.
Ms Bailey has also received complaints from people with silent numbers. “The use of random number generation systems means that silent numbers are not immune from harassment,” Ms Bailey said.
While there are some public interest related exemptions, it is generally illegal for telemarketers to make unsolicited calls to numbers, including fixed lines and mobiles which are on the Do Not Call Register. Penalties for breaches under the Do Not Call Register Act range from $220 to $110,000.
Penalties for certain cases that go before the court can be up to $1.1 million.
The Do Not Call Register is set for review in 2009.