Ecovantage Supports the VEU Telemarketing Ban

Ecovantage News , Energy Schemes ,

Written by Ecovantage 21 May,2024

On 1 May 2024, the Victorian Government introduced a ban on telemarketing under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program to protect consumers from high-pressure sales tactics and other inappropriate marketing.

Simply put, businesses selling products with a rebate based on the VEU program, must have written consent to call a consumer prior to picking up the phone.

This includes, but not limited to, rebates for heat pump hot water, air conditioning, draft sealing and insulation. The VEU have a full list of eligible products on their website.

What does consent look like?

Gaining consent would generally be done when the consumer completes an enquiry form on a website, social media platform, or in person. A consent statement would be displayed for the consumer to agree to, including information on what the consent is for and for how long it lasts. Consent can be withdrawn at any time and without question. If the consumer doesn’t agree to consent, the business offering their products can still make contact through other means such as mail or email, providing an address has been provided.

A consent statement could include the following:

I consent to [business-name] telephoning me to provide information about [product-name] upgrades offered under the VEU program. I understand that my consent lasts for [number] days, but I can withdraw my consent at any time.

Man on telephone walking around home office

What is Ecovantage doing?

Ecovantage is an Accredited Person (AP) under the VEU program, so we offer a service to create and process energy rebates for other businesses who offer these upgrades (program participants).

This means we need to ensure every upgrade is done correctly – following the regulations set out by the VEU – including the initial sales enquiry which must now have consent for a phone call.

As one of the longest standing participants within the VEU program, Ecovantage proudly supports and upholds these new regulations

We are asking for consent on all applicable online forms, application forms, referral forms, telephone call-back enquiries, and on our tablets used at expos, where an enquiry could relate to the VEU program. If we don’t have consent to call someone we won’t be calling them. This can change if they provide consent, or become a signed / paid customer and we need to call regarding their product before, during or after the upgrade.

We have redesigned our systems to show when a consumer has provided us consent, when they have declined the consent, and when the consent is expiring. We have other systems set up to allow us to request consent via an SMS or email, should a consumer call us and request a call back about upgrades under the VEU program.

Does this include commercial consumers?

Yes, this telemarketing ban does include commercial consumers. ‘Consumer’ in this article includes residential and commercial consumers – those who have not agreed to purchase a product/s from the business.

What’s next?

A further ban on unsolicited doorknocking in Victoria will take effect on 1 August 2024. This will mean businesses selling products with a rebate offered under the VEU program must have written consent from the consumer prior to knocking on their door.