Lyla Lindsey
Telemarketing calls are unwanted interruptions that can waste your time and, in the case of scammers, rob you of your money and personal information. In Australia, consumers can register their mobile, landline, or fax numbers on the Do Not Call Register (DNCR) to reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls. This service is free and managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). While registration does not guarantee that you will never receive another telemarketing call, it does allow businesses to check their calling lists and remove registered numbers. You can also block spam and telemarketing calls by adjusting the built-in features on your mobile phone or by downloading third-party apps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Telemarketing | Any call where the caller aims to sell, advertise or promote goods or services |
| Do Not Call Register (DNCR) | A free service where consumers can register their home, mobile or fax numbers to reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls |
| Telemarketer rules | Telemarketers must provide their name, the name of their employer, and the name of the company they are calling on behalf of. They must not call on national public holidays. |
| Opt-out | Telemarketers must allow you to opt out of receiving additional telemarketing calls during a call through an automated menu |
| Blocking tools | Some phone companies offer call blocking tools, and there are third-party apps available for download that can block spam and telemarketing calls |
| iPhone | With iOS 13 and later, you can turn on Silence Unknown Callers to avoid getting calls from people you don't know |
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What You'll Learn
Register your number on the Do Not Call Register
Registering your number on the Do Not Call Register is a straightforward process that can be done online or over the phone by calling 1300 792 958. This free service allows consumers to register their home, mobile, or fax numbers to reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The Do Not Call Register (DNCR) is a secure database where individuals and organizations can register, check, or remove their Australian telephone numbers to opt out of receiving most telemarketing calls and faxes. It is important to note that registering your number does not guarantee that you will never receive another telemarketing call. Certain exempt organizations, such as registered charities, research companies, political parties, and educational institutions, may still contact you. Additionally, the register does not block calls but rather provides a list of registered numbers that businesses should check before making calls.
After registering, it takes 30 days for your number to be fully registered on the Do Not Call Register. During this time, you may still receive telemarketing calls. Once your number is registered, you can file a complaint if you continue to receive unsolicited telemarketing calls or if you believe a company has broken the relevant rules.
While the Do Not Call Register helps reduce unwanted calls, it may not be completely effective in stopping all telemarketing or scam calls. To further protect yourself, remain vigilant and follow basic security practices, such as avoiding sharing your phone number unless necessary and never giving out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers. Additionally, you can explore other call-blocking options, such as built-in features on your mobile phone or specialized call-blocking apps.
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Ask telemarketers to take you off their list
One way to stop receiving telemarketing calls in Australia is to ask the telemarketers to take you off their list. When you receive a call from a telemarketer, simply ask them to remove your number from their calling list. If you continue to receive calls from the same organisation, put in a direct complaint to them. If that doesn't work, you can contact the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). You can find the complaint form on the ACMA website.
It is important to note that even if you register with the Do Not Call Register (DNCR), you may still receive telemarketing calls from exempt organisations. These include charities, as telemarketing is a significant source of revenue for them. However, you can always contact the charity directly and politely request that they remove your number from their list.
Additionally, you can take steps to avoid sharing your phone number unless necessary. For example, providing your phone number when buying something online is reasonable, but it may not be necessary when signing up for a newsletter.
Remember, telemarketers must follow specific rules, even if they are allowed to call numbers on the Do Not Call Register. They must provide their name and the name of their employer and cannot call on national public holidays. If you receive a call from a telemarketer who does not follow these rules, you can report them to the ACMA.
By combining these strategies, asking telemarketers to remove your number from their lists, and utilising the resources provided by the ACMA, you can effectively reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls you receive.
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Download apps to block spam and telemarketing calls
There are several apps available for download that can help you block spam and telemarketing calls. These apps are offered by mobile carriers and third-party developers.
Mobile carriers such as AT&T and Verizon offer their own apps with built-in tools to help block spam and telemarketing calls. For example, AT&T's ActiveArmor app is free and filters out potential fraud and spam calls, labels telemarketers as "nuisance calls", and sends unknown callers to voicemail. For $3.99 per month, users can access additional features such as VPN, identity monitoring, and safe browsing. Verizon offers a similar service called Call Filter, which is also free and detects and filters spam calls.
Third-party apps are also available to block spam and telemarketing calls. Some popular options include Hiya, RoboKiller, TrueCaller, and Call Control. These apps offer a basic free service and a premium tier with additional features for a subscription fee. Hiya, for example, warns users of robocalls and scam calls based on a database of known scammers and telemarketers. It can also detect spoofed calls and allows calls from your contacts. RoboKiller blocks spam calls and automatically answers spam calls with pre-recorded nonsense.
In addition to these dedicated call-blocking apps, Google offers the Phone by Google app, which helps users avoid unwanted calls from spammers, telemarketers, and scammers. Samsung also offers a similar call-blocking solution called Smart Call.
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Block numbers manually on your device
If you are receiving unwanted calls from telemarketers, there are several ways to block them manually on your device. The specific steps to do this will depend on your device model. However, here are some general methods that can be used to block numbers on your device:
Use Built-in Features or Download Apps
You can adjust the built-in features on your mobile phone to block unwanted calls. Alternatively, you can download apps specifically designed to block calls from unknown numbers or spam.
Silence Unknown Callers
If you have an iPhone with iOS 13 or later, you can turn on Silence Unknown Callers to avoid getting calls from people you don't know. This feature blocks phone numbers that aren't in your contacts list. Calls from unknown numbers will be silenced and sent to your voicemail, and they will appear in your recent calls list.
Block Numbers Individually
Most mobile phones allow you to block numbers manually. Typically, you can go into your recent calls list, select the number you want to block, and choose the "Block Number" option. This will prevent the blocked number from contacting you again.
Do Not Disturb Function
You can use the Do Not Disturb function on your device to mute calls and messages from people who are not in your contacts or favourites list. This ensures that you only receive calls from people you know. However, be aware that you could miss calls from unknown numbers that you might want to receive.
Call Identification Apps
If you're using an iPhone, you can turn on Call Identification Apps to compare incoming calls to numbers in your third-party spam apps. If there's a match, iOS may display a label like "Spam" or "Telemarketing". You can also reorder these apps based on priority by tapping "Edit" and dragging them into your preferred order.
By using these methods, you can manually block telemarketers and unwanted callers on your device. Remember that specific instructions may vary depending on your device model, so refer to your device's user guide or manufacturer support for detailed steps.
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Contact your phone company about call-blocking tools
Phone companies offer a range of call-blocking tools and resources to help you manage and reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. These tools are designed to stop illegal and unwanted calls from reaching your phone. Many phone companies are taking advantage of FCC rules that allow consumers to be enrolled automatically in call-blocking services. You can opt out if you're concerned about missing calls you might want to receive.
Some phone companies offer call labelling services, which help you determine which calls to answer. These services display categories for potentially unwanted or illegal calls, such as "spam" or "scam likely" on the caller ID display. This can help you quickly identify and avoid telemarketers.
Phone companies and their partner service providers proactively block unwanted and illegal calls by looking for suspicious calling patterns. They may also enable customers to block additional calls by enrolling in a service or installing an app. Some phone companies provide apps that you can download to your mobile device at little or no cost to block or label potential spam calls.
In addition to contacting your phone company, you can also explore built-in features on your mobile phone or landline that allow you to block calls. These features are typically found in your phone's settings or call settings menu. You can also download third-party apps specifically designed to block calls from unknown numbers.
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Frequently asked questions
You can register your number on the Do Not Call Register (DNCR) which is a free service provided by the Australian Government. This will reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls to your landline, mobile, and fax numbers.
You can adjust the built-in features on your mobile phone to block calls from unknown numbers. You can also download third-party apps specifically designed to block spam and telemarketing calls.
When you receive a call from a telemarketer, ask them to take you off their list. If you continue to receive calls from the same organisation, put in a direct complaint to them. If that doesn't work, you can contact the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Never give out your personal information, such as passwords or banking details, over the phone to someone who has called you unexpectedly. Do not let unsolicited callers remotely access your computer or phone.
