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Vodafail riles ACMA again
Rogue telemarketers won't toe the line
The house of VHA is in trouble with authorities again, this time attracting the ire of the Australian Communications and Media Authority for breaching the ‘Do Not Call Register’ Act.
VHA has submitted to an enforceable undertaking after a raft of consumer complaints emerged concerning rogue telemarketers spruiking the products of Vodafone and 3 Mobile.
If the carrier and its errant telemarketing soldiers stray from the programme again, the row may find its way to the Federal Court.
The ACMA wrist-slap requires VHA to extensively audit and report back to the regulator on all its dealers’ telemarketing activities. If any of its dealers breach the Do Not Call Register Act, it must report the dealer to the ACMA immediately.
VHA and all its subsidiaries and dealers will now be required to keep comprehensive records of the telemarketing calls made and implement “robust procedures” around recording VHA’s customers’ consent to be called by, or requests to opt out of receiving, telemarketing calls.
ACMA chairman Chris Chapman warned that if VHA does not comply with the these obligations, the undertaking can be enforced by the Federal Court. ®
Biting the hand that feeds IT
