Virus telemarketers being targeted by ACMA

It has been revealed that the Australian Communications and Media Authority is clamping down further on virus telemarketers to stop consumers from getting ripped off.

Over recent years, with so many people using their computers to get online with their broadband and Internet connections, the reliance of consumers and businesses across Australia on computers has rocketed. Many people use their computers for hours every day for essential purposes as well as for fun and entertainment, which is why people go into panic mode if anything goes wrong with their computer or even if there is a chance that something could go wrong.

This level of reliance on computers has led to a new breed of companies trying to take advantage in the form of virus telemarketers, who try to convince consumers that they have a virus on their computer and then offer to remove it for a fee. Many complaints have now been made about these companies contacting people and the Australian Communications and Media Authority is determined to crack down on this scam.

ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, said: ‘In the first three months of 2011, nearly half of all complaints about telemarketing calls made to numbers on the Do Not Call Register have been about these types of calls. The ACMA understands that while some businesses offer a legitimate virus prevention or removal service, many are falsely claiming to be related to reputable companies, such as Microsoft.’

He added: ‘Australian consumers have had enough, so we’re telling these telemarketers, “Do Not Call. Telemarketers that are investigated by the ACMA run the risk of incurring penalties of up to $110,000 per day.’

Have you experienced problems with these companies? Let us know with your comments.

Source – ACMA