There are reports of people receiving telephone calls from someone purporting to be a Telstra engineer testing the line; he asks the person he is calling to tap in 9,0,# and then hang up. Apparently, by pressing 9,0,#, you are giving the caller full access to your telephone, allowing them to make log distance calls which would be charged to your account. If you receive such a call, just hang up.

To minimize the amount of unsolicited mail you receive in the post, you can register with the Do Not Mail service of the Australian Direct Marketing Association at www.adma.au/consumer-help/do-not-mail/.