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Articles > Telstra Unsolicited Call complaints - Continuous calls from Telstra

Introduction

There have been widespread reports of people getting nuisance, prank or mysterious calls from a range of phone numbers, of which are listed below:

• 03 88081000
• 03 88081400
• 03 88081700
• 03 92464700
• 03 92741200
• 03 98057600
• 03 98081000
• 03 98314900
• 03 98316600
• 03 98341400
• 03 98342000
• 03 98342300
• 03 98342800
• 03 98342900
• 03 99376000

What are the calls?
The number of calls you may receive from the above numbers can range from as little as once a month up to several times a day (in extreme cases). The calls can be almost any time of day. As a rule, calls from those numbers can happen during business hours, in the late afternoon and evening - especially when you have just sat down for dinner. Sometimes the calls only last a couple of rings - which deliberately don't give you enough time to answer - and you may end up returning the missed call. They also sometimes hang up the instant you pick up the phone, and some people have reported that they hear a synthetic dialtone as soon as they pick up the ringing phone. Other times there is just silence.

Why the calls?
There are several theories to this. Telstra (or telemarketers) are trying to save on phone call costs by getting the person to call back. They are also trying to ascertain whether the phone number belongs to a real person - when you answer with "Hello", they (or the computers) know a human answered. If you ring back on a missed call, they will also know there is indeed a real person on the other end of the line. They will store this information into a database for use later on (further telemarketing purposes of course!).

When phone plans are nearing the end of their contract (or have expired and is on a month-to-month plan), these calls seem to be more frequent - perhaps Telstra is trying to get their customers (or from a competing Telco) to sign on a new contract. All telecommunications strive to lock customers into a long a contract as possible because it is almost a guarantee of revenue.

Do not call back!
On most occasions, if you call back on the number, you will usually get a pre-recorded message,something along the lines of

"Thank you for calling Hellstra. We recently telephoned to tell you about our [overpriced] products and services that may be of benefit to you. Please contact [1300 number] between 9am and 5pm for more information. [Call ends]"

At other times, it is Telstra wanting to know if you are happy with the service. Oh course you're not happy - they're making unsolicited calls to waste your time and infuriate you.

By calling back, you are confirming to them that you are an active customer. Not only that, it has wasted a minute or two of your time plus it will add to your phone bill!

Let us know!
If you have been at the receiving end of these calls, you can leave a message below.

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