Calls about an 'infection'

[FullOppositeRudder]

Happily, here in the southern colonies, the government has devised legislation which allows householders to place their phone numbers on a "do not call" register, and which effectively bars most 'telemarketers' from calling any number which is on the register.

It has certainly reduced my unwanted calls from the subcontinent to near zero. I found myself talking to a strongly accented phone company rep a few months back. When I interrupted his patter and pointed out that he had called a number on the Australian DNC register, and that I therefore required the name and address of his company to lodge a formal complaint, he selected full reverse thrust, apologized profusely for the error - and for troubling me - and terminated the discussion. It hasn't happened again.

It appears that the legislation also appears to be a valid mechanism for action in the case of the scam under discussion here - at least in theory. This is no great consolation to those living elsewhere who are being harassed in this way by would be thugs, but it demonstrates that if it is sufficiently interested, a government can pass legislation and set up machinery which addresses such matters in a positive way for the consumer.

It's probably not sufficient reason in itself to emigrate, but it is one of the fringe benefits of living 'dununder'.

regards,
FoR