Village Gamer

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced that they have brought together 12 enforcement agencies to launch an International Do Not Call Network. The CRTC and ACMA will serve as the network’s inaugural co-chairs, and the United States Federal Trade Commission will host the secretariat.

“Enforcement agencies face a common challenge in tracking down individuals and companies who violate telemarketing rules, but operate outside national borders,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC. “A global problem calls for global solutions. Having a network that fosters collaboration will contribute to more effective cross-border enforcement activities and help reduce unwanted telephone calls to Canadians from foreign telemarketers.”

The International Do Not Call Network will facilitate cooperation between agencies that enforce telemarketing rules in their respective countries. Members will meet annually to establish best practices and encourage the development of robust telemarketing laws around the globe. The network will also work to harmonize telemarketing policies between countries to improve enforcement activities across different jurisdictions.

The CRTC is promoting international cooperation to enforce telemarketing rules. As part of its outreach efforts, the CRTC recently struck an agreement with two telemarketers based in Mexico who were selling and promoting vacation packages to Canadians. The telemarketers have agreed to abide by Canadian do-not-call rules and stop making unauthorized telemarketing calls to Canadians. The CRTC worked jointly with Mexico’s consumer protection agency, PROFECO, to bring its investigation to a successful conclusion.

Launched in September 2008, the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) helps Canadians reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls and faxes they receive. Companies are not allowed to make unsolicited marketing or sales calls to numbers that have been registered on the list for more than 31 days, with some exceptions. Canadians may register on the National DNCL or file a complaint about a telemarketer by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) or visiting the DNCL website.

Now if we could just put an end to the Google Adwords resellers who act like they are calling from Google and the Point of Sale terminal and merchant account resellers who are incredibly rude and will not respect verbal requests to be removed from their call lists, it would almost make for a perfect day of answering the phone.

For Further Reading:

• Key facts for consumers
• Key facts for telemarketers
• How does the CRTC enforce the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules?