Rogue telemarketer receives $120,000 fine for flouting Do Not Call Register
For the first time, a telemarketer has received a hefty civil penalty for making calls to people listed on the Do Not Call Register.
Queensland-based FHT Travel and the company’s director Yvonne Earnshaw have been ordered to pay a fine of $120,000 for making 12,000 marketing calls to people who have opted out of unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority had sent a formal infringement notice to FHT Travel, but the company had persisted in making calls.
The Do Not Call Register Act was passed in 2006, with the Do Not Call Register launching in May 2007.
“This case and the penalty imposed should remind telemarketers of the serious consequences of breaching the Do Not Call Register Act,” said ACMA chairman, Chris Chapman. “Telemarketers must respect the choice of people who have opted out of receiving their calls.”
Since the Do Not Call Register began, the ACMA has served nine infringement notices totaling $438,300; 18 undertakings, enforceable in the federal court, have been accepted, and 10 formal warnings issued.
An ACMA spokesperson added that in 90% of cases, consumers have been satisfied that once on the register, they have not received unsolicited marketing calls.
The is largest fine issued to date for breaching the Do Not Call Register Act.
It would appear that there is a lot more to this than simply calling people on the Do Not Call Register.
Do a search on FHT Travel and its predecessor Funtastic Holidays. An interesting business model for a travel agent!
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