Premium Rate Text Messages

Alison18

Hi everyone, was just wondering if anyone could help me. I borrowed my contract mobile phone to my step daughter for a month as I wasn't using it and told her she could use the free minutes and text. The other day I got a phone call from Vodafone telling me that the phone had been bared as she had run up a bill of £500. The bill came and I've seen she's been buying ringtones, games and videos. I was wondering if there is anyway I could claim these charges back. My phone has been set to not be able to dial premium rate numbers so how come she was able to do premium rate texts? I used to have a wap package of £7.50 a month and I cancelled that ages ago because I didn't use it and I thought that was bared to. Would appreciate any help or suggestions anyone could give us. Lots of things say you must seek the bill payers permission and she did not have my permission I was wondering whether this would help me without getting her into trouble. Thank guys.

Jon_01

I have to say no. You gave her the phone and, I'm afraid, you're liable for the costs she ran up. It up to you to control your phone, the networks have never policed it for you, sorry.

mrochester

Alison18 wrote: »

Hi everyone, was just wondering if anyone could help me. I borrowed my contract mobile phone to my step daughter for a month as I wasn't using it and told her she could use the free minutes and text. The other day I got a phone call from Vodafone telling me that the phone had been bared as she had run up a bill of £500. The bill came and I've seen she's been buying ringtones, games and videos. I was wondering if there is anyway I could claim these charges back. My phone has been set to not be able to dial premium rate numbers so how come she was able to do premium rate texts? I used to have a wap package of £7.50 a month and I cancelled that ages ago because I didn't use it and I thought that was bared to. Would appreciate any help or suggestions anyone could give us. Lots of things say you must seek the bill payers permission and she did not have my permission I was wondering whether this would help me without getting her into trouble. Thank guys.

As far as the network is concerned, you handing over the phone for her to use is you giving her permission to do anything and everything with it. I guess if you can prove that this sort of content should have been blocked at your request before she used the phone, then you might have a case for a refund. Otherwise, you'll just have to pay up.

Buzby

The call barring you refer to is for VOICE calls, not texts and you should speak to her about refunding the costs, as it was her that ran up the bill with your permission.

Crazy_Jamie

Alison18 wrote:

My phone has been set to not be able to dial premium rate numbers so how come she was able to do premium rate texts?

As Buzby said, this block is for voice calls. Texts will still be enabled, so not only was she physically able to do it, but in giving her your phone you will also have given her implied permission to use those numbers as far as the phone company is concerned. As such you're liable for the bill.

On a side note, chances are at least some of the things that she downloaded were subscription services like Jamster. If this is the case, make sure you end these subscriptions because they will continue to charge you at a ridiculous rate (£4.50 a week for Jamster) if you don't.