General News
14 June, 2024
Companies banned from telemarketing
Energy companies are now banned from using cold call telemarketing to sell products and services under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. From August 1, they also cannot doorknock unsuspecting customers.
Lowan MP Emma Kealy said many residents had contacted her office to protest the aggressive tactics used by some companies involved in the program - an initiative that provides state government incentives for households that install certain energy-efficient products and services.
“Even residents who had signed up to the Do Not Call register were being repeatedly harassed and coerced by people promoting products from heaters and hot water systems to showerheads, clothes dryers and fridges,” Ms Kealy said.
“These new bans are a necessary protection for residents, particularly elderly residents who might not be able to advocate effectively for themselves and are deliberately pressured into signing up for products and services they do not want, under the guise of it being cost-saving for them."
Ms Kealy said people could report anyone in breach of the new laws by calling the commission on 03 9032 1310 or by emailing veu@esc.vic.gov.au