{"id":240776,"date":"2019-08-01T00:01:52","date_gmt":"2019-07-31T14:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=240776"},"modified":"2020-07-18T16:55:16","modified_gmt":"2020-07-18T06:55:16","slug":"tio-warns-about-nbn-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/08\/01\/tio-warns-about-nbn-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"TIO Warns About NBN Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
High-pressure telemarketing for the NBN is a major source of complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (Photo: TIO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Judi Jones
(Photo: TIO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 1, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Threats of being disconnected from phone and internet services, loss of phone numbers, and inaccurate information about NBN plans are a major source of concern, according to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).<\/p>\n

In its latest report “Misleading Telemarketing of NBN Services”, the TIO said residential consumers and small businesses made 1729 complaints about misleading conduct involving services delivered over the NBN last year.<\/p>\n

The investigation found high-pressure sales tactics werebeing used to commit consumers and small businesses to phone and internet contracts they did not want, didn’t need, or couldn’t afford.<\/p>\n

The impact of these tactics was particularly felt by some older consumers who don\u2019t use the internet at home.<\/p>\n

“Consumers are being told information about moving to the NBN that is simply not true and puts them at a disadvantage,” Ombudsman Judi Jones said.<\/p>\n

“This is concerning behaviour from a small group of phone and internet providers and should stop.”<\/p>\n

Ms Jones said in some cases the TIO had shared information about the issue with regulators so they could consider further action.<\/p>\n

“Moving to the NBN is not automatic, and consumers need to know they can make a measured and informed decision about which NBN provider is right for them,” she said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“If a consumer is feeling pressured by a telemarketer, it is fine to hang up.<\/p>\n

“If they find themselves signed up to a contract they don\u2019t want or need, and can\u2019t fix the issue with the provider, the TIO can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

The TIO also issued this advice about how to manage a call from a telemarketer about moving to the NBN:<\/p>\n