General News
29 July, 2024
Social solar spam: councils ‘sharing’ shop fronts
TECHNOLOGY helps screen incoming calls when the phone screen turns red and up pops “suspected spam”. Answer, and it’s usually one of those call centre workers trying to flog the latest “energy upgrades from the government” - solar panels...
TECHNOLOGY helps screen incoming calls when the phone screen turns red and up pops “suspected spam”.
Answer, and it’s usually one of those call centre workers trying to flog the latest “energy upgrades from the government” - solar panels, shower heads, lights, air-vent covers.
Victorian Energy Upgrades Program telemarketing has been banned since May and the doorknocking ban starts next Thursday.
But in recent weeks, there have been social media sponsored posts spruiking an area is eligible for some new program.
Loddon Shire has been targeted, complete with a doctored image of the “council” offices. A nice two-storey brown brick building in the style of the 1970s but not the Wedderburn headquarters.
Come back to your social media feed the next day, and there’s the same building emblazoned with the marks of Bendigo City Council, looking nothing like its swanky new GovHub.
Rang the number for said company, hung up and within seconds there was an incoming call. Yes, that’s right, the screen turning red and flashing up “suspected spam”.
Essential Services Commission says it is monitoring compliance of the Victorian Energy Upgrade ban on telemarketers and doorknockers ... online we don’t know.
- CHRIS EARL