Home
/
Our Insights
/
Article Detail
/
Home
/
Home
|
Login
Our Team
Our Expertise
Our Insights
BOOK CONSULTATION
SUBSCRIBE
Our Team
Our Expertise
Our Insights
You can share this article in the following networks2:
Harassing callers - where do they get my number from and what recourse does South African law provide to stop these calls?
09 April 2018
4417
The most common way in which your personal information can be disclosed to other parties is through telemarketers. Telemarketing companies compile customer databases of thousands and thousands of people, and once your information is stored on a database, it can be shared from one company to another company in a non-competing field. This means that if an insurance company might partner with a tourism company to provide insurance, your details, as a client of the insurance company will then share your information with the tourism company and boost their database.
Another way in which your personal information can be obtained is through social media campaigns and opt-in competitions such as ‘Win an iPad’ competitions on Facebook, or via websites asking you to register for easy loans or apply for employment in countries like Canada and Australia. We often do not read the fine print when filling out online applications and unknowingly agree to and allow our personal information to be disclosed to other parties.
Recent legislation in the form of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) prohibits unsolicited direct marketing. Part B of Chapter 2 of the CPA stipulates that the ‘right of every person to privacy includes the right to pre-emptively block any approach or communication, if the approach or communication is primarily for the purpose of direct marketing’. Meanwhile, Chapter 8 of POPI stipulates that ‘the processing of personal information for the purpose of direct marketing by means of SMS’s or e-mail is prohibited’, unless consent is given. Unfortunately, POPI does not afford one protection against harassing and unwanted phone calls.
If the harassing calls are coming from unknown numbers or numbers that are shown, you can visit your nearest police station and open a case of harassment. The police officer will take a statement and also request your identity document, cellphone and sim card so he/she can record your cellphone’s serial number and sim number.
In South Africa, the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (RICA) allows police and cellphone network providers to have access to every cellphone users contact number and physical address. The police can use this information to conduct their investigation and trace the perpetrator. Thereafter they will contact the complainant to advise them of the identity of the perpetrator and consult with the complainant on how they wish to proceed.
If the calls are coming from a telemarketing company, registering on the national opt out database can enable you to opt out of all direct marketing communication. The national opt out register is run by the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa (DMASA). To register on the national opt out register, simply follow the link
www.nationaloptout.co.za
.
If you have a smartphone, there are a number of call-screening apps that will tell you who is phoning and then gives you the option to decline the call. The last option would be to simply block the numbers or continue to ignore the calls. If the calls are from a telemarketing company, the caller will hopefully get tired of you not answering and stop calling.
Previous
20 years of Kloppers Inc.
Next
How will the VAT increase affect our recent purchase of property?
Tags:
Harassment
,
POPI
Share:
Talk to us
Get in touch with us to discuss how we can help you with your challenges
Get in touch
Related Insights
Trusts, anti-money laundering, and tax season. Stay ahead with new filing requirements!
The tension between the right of ownership and lien in security for a debt
Buying property as cohabiting partners
Popular Insights
Capital gains distributions between trusts – who gets taxed?
When and how can a trustee resign from a trust?
Can you challenge maintenance when you’re in arrears?
Recent Insights
Trusts, anti-money laundering, and tax season. Stay ahead with new filing requirements!
The tension between the right of ownership and lien in security for a debt
Buying property as cohabiting partners
You can share this article in the following networks:
Offices
+27 35 780 7300
Back to top