ACMA launches real estate industry anti-spamming training

The real estate industry has come under further scrutiny by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) due to concerns that agents are spamming consumers via telephone, SMS and email.

The regulator launched an education campaign in November 2008 aimed at raising the real estate industry’s awareness of, and compliance with, the Spam Act 2003 (Spam Act) and the Do Not Call Register Act 2006 (DNCR Act).

However, its efforts seemed to have met with mixed success, with ACMA receiving increasing number of consumer complaints about spam since the education campaign was initiated.

“It has become apparent during this campaign that many real estate agents are unaware that much of their marketing activity may be subject to the provisions of either or both Acts,” ACMA’s Web site reads.

To address the issue, ACMA has launched a real estate industry-specific education site, complete with fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation, detailing what a telemarketing call is, and what constitutes consent.

“This information… has been designed to enable staff at real estate agencies to present training in-house,” ACMA’s Web site reads. “It is anticipated that this presentation, and other relevant information contained on this page, will assist in reducing complaints received by the ACMA about the marketing activity of real estate agents.”