James from the information team - 0871 2089407

rwilts

Thanks, lucky this time!!

Rex_Mundi

Seeing as both these threads are on the same topic. I merged them together.

debeast

Scam still going strong. Just hit every number in oxford NHS phonebook.
The NHS is poor enough without spending thousands more on dodgy phonebills

So who to complain to?

Offcom ?

/beastie

codger

wantmememory:

what a superb post -- many thanks for taking the trouble to make it. :T

I don't know about anyone else, but I for one had no idea of the scale of the problem.

Begs the question: who's watching the watchdog then?

And what can be done about the situation by people who've raised their legitimate concerns on this thread???????????

Miroslav

Just listened to my answer phone and had a message from these frauds.

Typed the number in google and found this thread.

Thanks to all for the info provided.

codger

Thanks wantme. As it's impossible to file an online complaint report to icstis (because it won't accept the number) I've emailed the head of the icstis support centre, James Harris, at jharris@icstis.org.uk seeking clarification of this watchdog's role.

But perhaps he won't reply because he thinks I've figured out a way to cost him 10p per word, something else which icstis is sadly unable to do anything about. . .

codger

This is the reply from icstis's Customer Services Manager which he hopes is "helpful":


Thank you for your email dated 18 December 2006, regarding the concerns you have surrounding 087 prefixed numbers.


ICSTIS is an independent body that regulates all Premium Rate Telecommunications Services. Premium Rate Services are advertised on either ‘09’ dialling codes or, in the case of mobile services, on four or five-digit short access codes. We do not currently regulate numbers charged at below 10p/minute, including 087 number ranges. However the Office of Communications, Ofcom, have published new proposals to increase consumer protection governing the use of 08 prefixed numbers.

Currently, organisations operating services on 0845, 0870 and 0871 may engage in revenue-sharing, the mechanism by which the organisation can share some of the monies raised with the telecoms provider supplying the number. Ofcom decided in April of this year that all revenue sharing services must migrate to the 0871 range and be regulated by ICSTIS; this is expected to take place in early 2008. Ofcom’s aim is to increase the level of consumer protection provided for calls to these numbers and to improve pricing transparency.

On the 31 July 2006, ICSTIS launched a pre-consultation paper addressing the need for enhanced consumer understanding about the cost of calling 0871 numbers; we also circulated a press release to inform businesses using 0871 numbers of the forthcoming changes. A copy of our pre-consultation document can be viewed at http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_consult/0871preconsultation.pdf.

To give consumers a clear message about the likely cost of calls Ofcom will be moving to three clear categories of 08 numbers:

· 080: Freephone (including current 0800 and 0808 ones);

· 084: Up to a lower rate (5p per minute from BT lines);

· 087: Up to a higher rate (10p per minute from BT lines);

Ofcom proposed in September 2005 that all mobile and fixed-line providers (including payphones) will be required to charge the same or less for 0870 calls as they do for national-rate calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02). If providers wish to charge more for 0870 calls they will have to make a free-to-caller price pre-announcement at the start of the call.

If you wish to view the Consultation document, this can be found on the Ofcom website at https://www.ofcom.org.uk.

I do hope that this information is of use to you.

Regards,

James Harris
Customer Services Manager
020 7940 7465
jharris@icstis.org.uk

* So no problems after 2008. Well, that's good news.

And between now and then there won't be a single scam call. From anywhere.

codger

wantme: sorry, didn't have time until now to catch up on all the links in your earlier post.

Hopeless, isn't it?

I'm on other forums like eBay's community boards where there're a depressing number of people constantly harping on about this country having an open-all-seasons policy for crooks and scammers, etc etc etc as if they take a morbid delight in being depressed.

I'd better not mention icstis on those forums then.

MSE_Martin

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!

Prior posts detailing the 'responsible company' were in error

There were posts on this thread giving the name of a company said to be responsible for these dodgy calls. It seems they were obtained from a customer service rep at Telstra. We have now received legal representation from both the company and Telstra that the operative gave out the WRONG company name.

I have therefore deleted those posts and would ask all users not to mention that company in this thread again. All the best

Martin


PS Also the directors’ details and addresses were listed. That goes against forum policy, please avoid doing so.

tomstickland

So who is responsible then? If Telstra know who wasn't responsible surely they can explain who is responsible.

There was some misinformation posted in this thread due to cut and paste from another forum.

I'll place any new contentious info on my own hosted webspace to save MSE forums from any problems.