Know your rights when sellers come calling
The consumer watchdog offers advice on what to say and do when you’re approached to buy products or services.
An unexpected sales pitch can catch anyone off guard. It may come from a salesperson knocking at your door, calling you without an invitation, or approaching you in a shopping centre or other public place.
In October 2026, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is running a month-long campaign to help consumers understand the additional legal rights that apply to these “unsolicited sales”.
The campaign’s central message is simple: you have the right to say no when a seller contacts you.
Unsolicited selling occurs when a salesperson approaches a consumer away from the business’s usual premises. It includes door-to-door selling, telemarketing, and sales approaches made in public places.
The ACCC says its research found that businesses frequently use high-pressure sales practices, breach existing consumer safeguards and mislead people during the sales process.
Around three-quarters of surveyed consumers had experienced unsolicited selling at least once during the previous two years. Older Australians are among the groups that may experience significant financial and emotional harm from these practices.
Your additional protections
When making an unsolicited purchase, consumers have important protections. The salesperson must identify themselves, explain which business they represent, and state why they are contacting you.
There are also rules governing when salespeople may call or visit. If you ask them to hang up or leave, they must do so.
If you buy a product or service through telemarketing or door-to-door selling, you must receive an easy-to-read sales agreement.
A termination, or cooling-off period of 10 business days applies if you change your mind after signing the agreement.
Most importantly, you do not have to make an immediate decision. The ACCC recommends pausing, asking questions, comparing alternatives, and checking the details before agreeing to anything.
Saying “no thanks” once is enough. You do not need to explain or justify your decision.
Supporting NSA work
The ACCC campaign complements efforts by National Seniors Australia (NSA) to help older people make informed decisions and respond confidently to unexpected or high-pressure approaches.
While unsolicited selling is not necessarily a scam, the same habits promoted through our safety initiatives can help you with unsolicited sales approaches. The message is: stop, take a breath, check the details through official channels, and reject an approach if you are uncertain.
NSA’s Keep Scam SAFE resources bring together practical information on digital confidence, safe banking, cyber safety, and suspicious investment offers.
Our Scams Awareness hub provides guidance on recognising suspicious contact and explains what to do if personal or financial information may have been compromised.
You can learn more about unsolicited sales and your legal protections through the ACCC consumer website.
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