What do I do?

[punch*drunk]

My dad is suffering from dementia, last weekend we were camping and his phone went flat. He recharged when he got home and coincidentally was contacted the same day by telemarketers claiming to represent Telstra.

The first I knew about it was him telling me Telstra will be sending him a letter  about his phone....he cant remember anything else about the call, but I have checked the number and its definitely telemarketing.

So what do I do? Try and ring them and fix it up now or wait it out until the letter comes. Bearing in mind I'm not the account holder and I'm not 100% sure what, if anything, he's signed up for.

Is there some kind of cooling off period with these things or will he be locked in if I dont get onto it straight away?

This is the number that he was called by   http://www.reverseaustralia.com/lookup/0894244710/

[katydidthat]

A POA is usually a separate piece of paper to a will allowing other people to make decisions on a person's behalf.  We went through this with my Dad.  Thing is, if you don't already have one, it might be difficult to get a lawyer to sign one, because your Dad might not be judged as competent to sign a POA.  

http://www.act.gov.au/browse/topics/law-and-justice/wills-estate-planning-and-power-of-attorney

That's for the ACT, but there are links to information on other states.  

[vampire-teddy]

power of attorney can be activated if the person is unable to make clear decisions.  my sister and i had to do so for my father recently when he was diagnosed with dementia, he has since been placed in a nursing home as my mother was unable to look after him.  we make all his decisions for him now regarding his health as well as taking care of all financial transactions.  

[punch*drunk]

Is there some kind of cooling off period with these things or will he be locked in if I dont get onto it straight away?

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/contracts-and-sales-calls/telemarketing

Thanks, so I have at least 10 days, I can stop worrying about it until next week then.

[cherry*135]

I know you aren't in NSW, but I these are our laws for a telemarketers and cooling off period. You should be able to find similar for your state.

Contract and cooling-off period

If a consumer agrees to buy something from a telemarketer or salesperson, they must be given a written copy of the contract and be informed of the cooling-off period.

A 10-business day cooling-off period now applies, during which consumers can cancel a purchase without penalty.

NSW Fair Trading

[cherry*135]

Usually there is a cooling off period.

Plus, he hasnt actually signed anything yet so i cant imagine he's locked into anything

Telecom telemarketing companies take a digital voice sign up at the end of the call if the customer agrees to take up their service. They do not send out contracts to be signed.

[punch*drunk]

A POA is usually a separate piece of paper to a will allowing other people to make decisions on a person's behalf.  We went through this with my Dad.  Thing is, if you don't already have one, it might be difficult to get a lawyer to sign one, because your Dad might not be judged as competent to sign a POA.  

http://www.act.gov.au/browse/topics/law-and-justice/wills-estate-planning-and-power-of-attorney

That's for the ACT, but there are links to information on other states.  

When he did his will he set me up as medical and financial power of attorney, it was recommended by the solicitor at the time. I looked at his will a while ago and its definitely there, it may be on a seperate piece of paper, cant really remember, I will check that when I'm there next week too.

So much red tape :_|

[cherry*135]

Missed meeps link, before I posted.

[**meep**]

Thanks, so I have at least 10 days, I can stop worrying about it until next week then.

You have 10 business days from receiving the agreement document.

[punch*drunk]

You have 10 business days from receiving the agreement document.

The only thing he remembered was that they were sending him something in the mail, so I'll give it a few days to see if it turns up before I start making phone calls.

[cherry*135]

The telemarketers most likely were not from Telstra. They start the call saying I would like to chat to you about your Telstra landline or similar. They businesses name also may have a similar name to Telstra.. starting with Tel.... They do give the impression they are from Telstra or part of Telstra.

We get many of these calls where I work.  I have straight out asked them if they are Telstra and they say no.

My boss signed up for a new phone service (we were still under contract with another telco) and I had to fix it up in the cooling off period.