Know your rights with cold callers

I think almost all of us have received at least one call from a telemarketer offering a product under the Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program.

Sometimes these calls are pleasant enough and I am aware of many local residents and businesses who have successfully taken advantage of the various programs on offer under this scheme. 

However more and more frequently I am hearing of locals dealing with unreasonable quantities of calls at all hours of the day and night as well as telemarketers refusing to provide details of where they are calling from or how they obtained the phone number they have called. 

I therefore write today to ensure all Gippslanders are aware of their rights and the obligations of providers under the VEU. 

I hope that being aware of these rights will help locals recognise scam calls and prevent them from being taken advantage of by those who would otherwise rort the system.

From July 1, 2022, every person and business involved in delivering products and services under the VEU program must abide by an enforceable code of conduct. 

The code of conduct sets out expectations such as the time of day a telemarketer may call as well as a specific set of information that anyone who contacts you about a VEU program must provide. 

This includes the name of the business they represent and how they obtained your phone number. They must also not claim to be representing the Victorian Government and clearly explain that participation in the program is voluntary.

For more information about your rights under the VEU program and what initiatives are on offer visit https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades/energy-saving-information-consumers.  

Breaches of the code of conduct can be reported to Consumer Affairs Victoria via www.consumer.vic.gov.au or on 1300 55 81 81.

Danny O’Brien MP, State Member for Gippsland South