Unwanted text messages

wantmemoney

Wintermute wrote:

I've got to say a large percentage of the people I've come across who are getting billed for these text messages have somehow opt'd into them.

we should be protecting children from premium rate '!!!!!philes' and thieves...not blaming them for falling victim to them!

Wintermute

zagfles wrote: »

This is one reason never to get contracts for kids - they can't be expected to be aware of this sort of thing.

The thing was, she claims her kid just got her hands on her phone and somehow sent 100 odd texts to the number.

wantmemoney wrote: »

we should be protecting children from premium rate '!!!!!philes' and thieves...not blaming them for falling victim to them!

Yes, think of the children!!!*
A small minority of people get scammed, the majority sign up to services, don't think or read the small print then get hit by massive bills then complain about them or deny all knowledge despite sending an SMS to the number 30 seconds before receiving the premium SMS.

* Unless it's going to cause inconvenience for you or me, then we don't need policing! And we should all get compensation for having to opt-out of having our usage policed!


I don't like or support these services, but the majority of the users of them have opt'd in for them and a lot of them are completely legitimate (although a rip-off in my opinion). It is a parents job to protect children, not mobile network operators who require you to be 18 to get a contract anyway. I did say I think these services need tougher regulating, but only to a certain extent, they should certainly be allowed to continue to exist and profit.

Intasun32

zagfles wrote: »

Vodafone do as well but their CS will deny all knowledge. I tried phoning them and emailing them as I knew the bar existed from reading their forum, but I was told 5 times that is it wasn't possible!:mad:

I posted on their forum http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/ and they did it straight away!

@Zagfles,

I was one of several MSE members that was involved in an 18 month campaign to get Vodafone to bring in the shortcode bar on the in-house VF e-forum. They made one excuse after another to delay the introduction of the bar, excuses that were proved technically bullsh*t! Eventually the shortcode bar was offered to VF customers, at first not to PAYG, which were the most vulnerable as a majority are children. VF finally allowed the bar to all customers but only after they were shown up in the press.

As you say info on this service is nowhere to be found on the VF web site and CS will deny that it is available.

With the money they earn from the 'stolen' funds (Up to 50%) why would they want any change?

Perhaps the 'resident' VF team rep would like to comment?

Wintermute wrote: »

A small minority of people get scammed, the majority sign up to services, don't think or read the small print then get hit by massive bills then complain about them or deny all knowledge despite sending an SMS to the number 30 seconds before receiving the premium SMS.

@Wintermute,

It's funny, this is the same arguement used by the Networks and the Cowboy Premium Rate companies who steal from us to justify their actions!

No one can deny that there are many who subscribe and don't realise that they have done so. The reason being that too many mobile and online web sites have this important info tucked away in the 'very' small print.

:beer:

Darrenjames_2

You should Write "text STOP ALL to 83775" in message box.

zagfles

Wintermute wrote: »

I don't like or support these services, but the majority of the users of them have opt'd in for them and a lot of them are completely legitimate (although a rip-off in my opinion). It is a parents job to protect children, not mobile network operators who require you to be 18 to get a contract anyway. I did say I think these services need tougher regulating, but only to a certain extent, they should certainly be allowed to continue to exist and profit.

Well I definitely didn't opt in yet got scammed twice. Which is presumably why Vodafone themselves refunded me both times with no hassle.

I have no problems with these services existing but because they are reverse charge the companies providing them should be done for theft if they charge anyone without being able to provide proof that the customer requested the service. No excuses, if I took £5 from someone's wallet without their consent I'd be arrested. No "oh, sorry, I thought you wanted to buy this unlocking code off me so I took the payment, my mistake" when caught out. There should be criminal proceedings brought against those who steal credit.

wantmemoney

Wintermute wrote:

but the majority of the users of them have opt'd in for them and a lot of them are completely legitimate

apart from the statement not making much sense by what authority do you know this?

the OP concerns a service that they did not opt in to receive and agree to pay for.

Wintermute wrote:

It is a parents job to protect children, not mobile network operators

good point...

just how do parents stop mobile networks entering into agreements to deliver premium rate sms to children on behalf of known crooks?

how do parents stop mobile networks stealing 'top up' credit from childrens phones?

Intasun32

@Wantmemoney,

Can you recall where and when and who was the VF CEO that in his speech at a phone convention stated that VF can earn up to 50% of each premium rate text received/sent?

I remember the post and the article but have been unable to find it again!

Cheers

:beer:

wantmemoney

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/09/01/2904770.htm
Mobility: Content: A cut above
September 01, 2007

At present, mobile operators can take up to 50% of the revenue generated through premium SMS, but models vary widely. Jeremy Flynn, former head of commercial partnerships at Vodafone
.....
Based on the model of a premium SMS costing 1.50, Orange UK keeps 68 pence including VAT while Virgin Mobile keeps a whopping 98p.

an interview with Jeremy Flynn, Vodafone.

Vodafone

Hi everyone,

I can see there has been a little confusion here and I’m disappointed to see this hasn’t always been quick to resolve.

I’m pleased to confirm that we do offer a premium rate SMS bar which can be applied to an account.

If anyone would like to email us via Web Relations Team we’ll be happy to look into this for you.

(When contacting, please quote the code WRT135 in the subject line. In the main message body, please include a link to this thread and your user name. This will ensure that your message comes directly through to my team).

Kind regards,

Jenny
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

Intasun32

wantmemoney wrote: »

an interview with Jeremy Flynn, Vodafone.

@Wantmemoney,

Thank you.

I knew that you would have the info somewhere on file.

:beer:

Vodafone_company_representative wrote: »

I can see there has been a little confusion here and I’m disappointed to see this hasn’t always been quick to resolve.

Jenny
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

@Jenny. VF Web Relations Team.

I agree, it is confusing when I put 'short code bar' in the VF web site 'search'!

Could you give the web site link as to where VF customers can find information of how to add the Short Code Bar to their account?

Thank you.