Telemarketer fined $280K for breaching Do Not Call list

Telemarketing company Lead My Way has been hit with a whopping $285,600 infringement notice after being caught calling people on the Do Not Call Register.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued the fine after finding Lead My Way had been calling people on the register in its attempts to promote energy deals.

The Melbourne-based business made the telemarketing calls to consumers to gauge their interest in products and services, such as electricity, with the hopes of on-selling personal details as marketing “leads”.

Launching an investigation after complaints were made by people on the registry, the ACMA found Lead My Way wasn’t checking all numbers against the list.

According to an ACMA spokesperson, the list is current for 30 days with new people added at the end of the month. While Lead My Way is subscribed to the list, it still failed to comply with the rules.

Cracking down on businesses, such as Lead My Way, ACMA acting chair Creina Chapman said it’s a timely reminder telemarketing businesses must comply with the law. 

“Consumers are fed up with telemarketing calls that they haven’t agreed to receive,” she told Starts at 60.

“It’s unacceptable for a business that relies on telemarketing to have insufficient compliance processes in place. Lead generators are on notice that the ACMA will take strong action against telemarketers that break the rules.”

The Do Not Call register is an easy way for Australians to opt out of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls and faxes by simply adding their phone number to the list.

While their phone number is not completely blocked, it is included on a database that telemarketing companies must check before making calls.

Where businesses are found to be breaking the laws, the ACMA can seek a civil penalty or injunctions from the Federal Court, give an infringement notice, accept a court enforceable undertaking, or issue a formal warning.

The ACMA encourages people who do not wish to receive telemarketing calls to register their number online at www.donotcall.gov.au or by calling 1300 792 958. Those who are already registered and have received an unsolicited call from a telemarketer can make a complaint via the same phone number or website.

Have you added your number to the Do Not Call Register? Have you ever received telemarketing calls even though you are registered on the list?