The Australian Communications and Media Authority has warned people about telemarketing calls offering an ‘unexpected prize’ that are being made to Australian consumers on the Do Not Call Register.

The Do Not Call Register scheme prohibits non-exempt telemarketing calls from being made to numbers on the register. ACMA, which oversees the operation of the register, has received a number of complaints from consumers on the register who have received recorded telemarketing calls telling them that they have won a ‘free’ holiday.

The messages direct consumers to ‘dial 9’ to claim their prize. People who press 9 are connected to an operator who describes a holiday package, and then asks for the person's credit card details.

ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman said that the best thing for consumers to do is simply hang up when they receive one of these calls.

‘Regardless of whether a company’s call centre is in Australia or overseas, it is generally not allowed to make telemarketing calls to numbers on the Do Not Call Register. The industry has responded well to the register, and most companies are respecting people’s choice to not receive such calls,’ Mr Chapman said.

‘The register has proven very effective in reducing the telemarketing calls that people receive, but wholly overseas operations like this can take time to shut down. In the meantime, if you receive one of these calls, we suggest that you hang up.’

ACMA is currently liaising with other regulators within Australia and overseas about the matter.

Complaints about telemarketing may be lodged with the ACMA at: www.donotcall.gov.au or 1300 792 958.

Information about ‘unexpected prize’ scams, including tips about how to protect yourself against them, is available on the Scamwatch website operated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (www.scamwatch.gov.au).