HelloPeter Complaint – Clientèle / Unauthorized Telemarketing & POPIA Concerns

I wish to formally raise a complaint regarding repeated unsolicited telemarketing calls I received from Clientèle today, which I believe may constitute harassment and potential non-compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Earlier today, I received a call from a female representative from Clientèle. After initially asking how she could assist me, the call quickly turned into unsolicited telemarketing. I immediately informed her that I had not provided consent for my personal data to be used for marketing purposes and specifically referenced my rights under POPIA. I requested her full name and advised her that I intended to pursue the matter further due to what I considered harassment and misuse of my personal information. At this point, she abruptly terminated the call.

Later the same evening, I received another unsolicited call from a male representative from Clientèle. I again clearly stated that I had not granted permission for my personal data to be used for telemarketing. The caller arrogantly insisted that I must have opted in because I had allegedly performed a credit check on myself previously. This is entirely false. I had only app**** to my bank for a loan, and any credit-related processes would have been conducted through that institution—not as consent for third-party marketing.

Despite my repeated objections, the caller refused to properly address my concerns, repeatedly interrupted me, and refused to provide his full name when requested. Instead, he repeatedly claimed he was “an executive,” while continuing to dismiss my rights and concerns regarding unauthorized use of my data.

My concerns are as follows:

Unauthorized use of my personal information for telemarketing purposes Possible POPIA violations Harassment through repeated unsolicited calls Refusal by representatives to properly identify themselves Unprofessional and dismissive conduct by Clientèle staff Failure to respect consumer rights when consent is disputed

I find this conduct unacceptable and highly concerning. South African consumers have the right to control how their personal data is used, and organizations should not exploit indirect data access or assumed consent for aggressive sales tactics.

I request that Clientèle:

Immediately remove my details from all marketing databases Provide clarity on how my personal information was obtained Investigate the conduct of the representatives involved Ensure compliance with POPIA and consumer protection legislation Confirm in writing that no further unsolicited contact will occur

This experience has been deeply frustrating and raises serious concerns regarding data privacy, corporate ethics, and consumer respect.