Update from ACMA: Persistent Struggle to Disrupt Fraudulent Activities by Scammers
Australian Communications and Media Authority Cracks Down on Unlawful Spam and SMS Scams
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released its telemarketing and spam update for the January - March 2024 quarter, highlighting its continued efforts to combat SMS scams and enforce e-marketing unsubscribe rules.
In the update, the ACMA expresses concern about businesses that do not have adequate unsubscribe processes for automated SMS and email 'welcome journeys.' These journeys, a series of messages sent to new customers over a few days or weeks, often including advertising and discounts, have been a source of complaints from consumers. Some customers who tried to unsubscribe from these messages have continued to receive the complete series because the unsubscribe process does not work until the full, automated welcome journey has been completed.
The ACMA has secured over AUD12.7 million in penalties against businesses for unlawful spam over the last 18 months. One such case saw the ACMA secure a penalty of AUD302,000 against Outdoor Supacentre (trading as 4WD Supacentre) for sending commercial messages without consent.
The most common complaints (excluding scams) were about the retail, building and maintenance, and solar sectors. The ACMA received over 6,200 complaints from consumers about alleged breaches of telemarketing and spam laws in the last quarter.
The ACMA has three ongoing spam investigations and two anti-scam investigations in progress. In addition, the ACMA has 20 court-enforceable undertakings in place.
To further combat SMS scams, the SMS Sender ID Registry pilot has been expanded. This expansion adds new alpha tags to prevent business message headers in SMS from being impersonated by scammers.
The ACMA has also issued consumer alerts about the re-emergence of the 'Hi mum scam', government 'cost of living' impersonation scams, and Do Not Call Register scams.
With these ongoing efforts, the ACMA continues to protect consumers from harmful and unwanted spam and scams, ensuring a safer digital environment for all Australians.
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