Privacy Alert! Opt your mobile out of new DQ services

Navvy

There seems to be some confusion as to whether this service will send a text or a voice call when someone is trying to find you. A text can easily be ignored (so long as it is not at an inconvenient time) but a voice call will go to answerphone and then I get charged to listen to it, or to delete it. The company website gives an example of a voice call.

I think many people are worried by the way that the data is being collected - normally you would expect a directory company to get accurate numbers from the phone companies, but they are buying in low-quality data that may not have been checked for accuracy (how do they know you typed your number correctly), and may well be out-of-date. How many people do you know who keep getting a new phone with a new number - what use is a directory that includes all the old numbers of the phones that got dropped down the loo?

While typing this, I eventually got the text and have now been added to their ex-directory list.

One directory company is OK, but what about when lots of companies start offering this service? Do we have to contact each and every one of them to go ex-directory?

Suppose I did want my number to be available - is there any facility for me to add my number and give them a correct address? I suspect that this is required under the Data Protection Act, but I didn't see any facility on their website for checking my data. (If there was a way of checking, it would be a loophole that would allow mis-use of the system.)

Herbyme

Just got the code after at leat 30 mins, had to type in the blurry letters 3 times and then type in texted code to get a screen saying ERROR, page not available at this time - can't help but be suspicious...

oops_a_daisy

This is a complete scam :mad:

I have just 'opted out' and then went back to the first page of the site and did a search for myself. Guess what - it came up positive :mad:

smk77

oops_a_daisy wrote: »

This is a complete scam :mad:

I have just 'opted out' and then went back to the first page of the site and did a search for myself. Guess what - it came up positive :mad:

Perhaps you should read the FAQs before making accusations like that?

Can I be ex-directory with 118 800?

You can become ex-directory from this website. Or you can text the letter ‘E’ to 118800 from the mobile phone you want to be made ex-directory. Standard network charges apply. The first time 118 800 contacts you you will be sent an SMS reminding you about how to become ex-directory. Please allow up to 4 weeks for your ex-directory request to take effect.

sarlea

oops_a_daisy wrote: »

This is a complete scam :mad:

I have just 'opted out' and then went back to the first page of the site and did a search for myself. Guess what - it came up positive :mad:

I did the same then read the FAQ. They do state "Please allow up to 4 weeks for your ex-directory request to take effect" and "We will send you an SMS message confirming when your details will be ex-directory" so have to wait and see I quess.

skottylong

I'm new to this site but have been reading the e-mails sent out for a while now... anyway to the point...

From what I can gather there is no risk of your number being handed to someone using the service. The company simply contacts you. Add this to the fact that the person needs your full name and some considerable detail (eg address) means it probably wouldn't be abused that much anyway.

The only problems I see are:

1 - This company may be holding your data and are making it awkward to check

2 - (Something you all seem to have missed...) The staff at the company involved will have full access to all the mobile phone numbers and addresses they have stored. It only takes 1 dishonest person in that place of power... To point out a clear example... the data gets backed up on a Flash Drive which is accidentely 'Lost'. This then gets sold to any company after your details for marketing/sales etc. Not sure what people can do about it though

id2d

Quintus wrote: »

They then have a way of harvesting new unknown numbers all by themselves. Makes me feel a little uncomfortable really.

And that's a heck of a lot of responsibility for one company to have - The number of everyone in the country who does want phone calls along with everyone in the country who doesn't all in one place.

Even if you trust this company's intentions right now -

Data can get "lost" or stolen,
business models can change,
the company can go bankrupt or get bought and sold

Like I said in my earlier post, why help them get new numbers by opting out before you know for sure if they have your number in the first place. Better to wait and see if they call you first.

oops_a_daisy

wish I had listened to you Id2d as I now feel like I have given them mine and my daughters numbers for them to use as they want for a month before I am made ex directory

oh and by the way smk77 I stated then and state again - this is a scam

VeeW

Code has eventually come thru' and despite reservations I entered it, incase by not completing request they were able to legitimately claim I gave them my number. Now apparently on ex-directory list, not wanting to be charged £1 I've not searched for myself decided to wait & see what happens. Wish I'd done that before!

spirit

samh255 wrote: »

I just wanted to point out that the original thread is misleading, and in my opinion seriously so.
When I first got this by email from my Dad warning me about this service, I was very concerned about receiving spam texts and phone calls thanks to this service.
When I looked at 118 800's website however to remove my number, it became clear that the service they offer is fundamentally different to what you describe.

They do not text my phone number to anyone who is looking for me, which you state above, what they actually do is text ME to tell me someone is looking for me and to give me that person's details. Thus leaving me to decide whether to contact that person back. That seems pretty responsible to me.
The £1 charge should deter dodgy organisations searching for your name hundreds of times and thus generating hundreds of text messages to you. Again this seems to be responsible. I am therefore quite happy to wait to see what happens.

Unless you think 118 800's website is being dishonest in what it states about their service, it seems to me that the person who wrote this original article misread or misunderstood the service that is being offered, and has created some panic and concern by misrepresenting the service offered by 118 800, albeit unintentionally I am sure.

I must admit to feeling a bit sorry for this company that is just starting up a new service, that what appears to be incorrect information has been heavily circulated in a weekly tips email by a reputable site that many people trust, particularly since the way that the article was written with strong words such as outrageous and shocking seemed designed to provoke outrage, which I feel is unjust based on how the company actually operates, rather than the way it was portrayed above.

It would be great (and I think in all honestly, fair) if you were able to correct the misinformation you sent out about this service, in the next weekly tips email for example.

the company is dishonest. they claim on their website to have been given numbers of celbs and govt officials in order to exclude them. they have most definitely not been given this info, nor will they ever be. they have got the numbers they do have from market research companies.