Not DC Marketing

We are NOT the “DC Marketing winners hotline”

We have had a number of contacts (starting in November 2005) asking if we are connected to, or associated in any way with DC Marketing.

No, we are NOT related in any way at all!

We don’t do telemarketing, and we certainly don’t have a winners hotline asking you to call a 1900-number for $2.97 per minute. If we got that message (someone who contacted us gave me one of the Melbourne numbers, so I listened in to see what’s being said on the recording), then I would keep away from the offer, as to me it is an extremely dubious marketing tactic and a marketing method we despise.

Since we come up first on the Australian version of Google when you type in “DC marketing” then you might think there is a connection.

There is NO CONNECTION at all — it ain’t us! Sorry we can’t help you directly!

A search on the ASIC website reveals other companies with “DC” in their name. I mention that to demonstrate that other companies do have the initials “DC” in their registered name. They just don’t get the first listing in the Google search result.).

Just to make it perfectly clear … we have no relationship whatsoever to DC Marketing. Nada, zip, nothing at all!

Recent Update: July 2007

Caught and fined! There’s an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, “Mobile phone spammer fined $150,000” — and also an ACMA Media Release, “DC Marketing issued with a $149,600 penalty for ‘missed call’ marketing” explaining how these tactics breached the Spam Act.

What To Do Now

Given the July 2007 update above, I doubt such calls are still being made! But if you get one, here’s what I’d do…

Make a complaint to ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, using their online form: https://web.acma.gov.au/secure/complaint_form.htm

The form is ACMA’s SPAM complaint form, for email, mobile (SMS, MMS, EMS) and instant messaging spam. The more people that complain, the more effective the voice against this type of marketing.

I’d also suggest complaining to the relevant Consumer Affairs agency in your State. I would if I received that call!

Also, have your number listed on ADMA’s “Do Not Contact” service — from our experience, this seems to reduce the number of annoying calls a fair bit. When we get unsolicited calls now (especially the overseas ones) we politely interrupt the caller and ask they take our number off their database. That seems to stop them in their tracks and they’re quick to end the call.

Useful Links

ACMA official Spam website about junk email & messages

WA Department for Consumer and Employment Protection website article: “Ring up big bill with ring tones competition.”

Sydney Morning Herald article from 6 January 2006: “Mobile users conned by spam mail scam.”

Follow the saga on 4 Wise Monkeys: www.4wisemonkeys.com/dc-phone-scam/

The company involved: www.vrpan.com. They now use Google Adwords as a paid, sponsored link when you type in “DC marketing”! That website includes contact information for their customer helplines and a postal address in New South Wales.

A blog (by Skit) with a lengthy discussion: http://skit.id.au/blog/2006/01/24/mobile-call-back-spam/

Thanks, and best wishes to you from Melbourne Australia!