Scam alert

vax2002

This website
free adds dot co dot uk
it gives you a premium number to call to connect to an advertiser, it says you will be charged 51p a minute.
What it does not tell you is you are left listening to muzak for ever and a day at 51p a minute whilst you wait to be connected, I gave up at 5 minutes they have had over a fiver from me now and it does not connect to the advertiser, for all you know, the advert could be fake.
Not happy, I will Sue them for a refund once I get the bill, a principle is at stake here. :mad:
But who would I report this To ?

Heinz

And who will you sue?

vax2002

Freeads Classifieds Limited whose registered Office is at 15 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London, W1Y 8AR, UK. Registration number: 4438153. Registered in England. Telephone Number: 01276 804 516

Heinz

A London W1 address will have a telephone number with an 020 STD code (01276 is the STD code for Camberley, Surrey).

victor2

The ads use 0703 numbers. 070 numbers are usually excluded from inclusive minutes on phone tariffs. Easy to assume it's just a mobile number when you see it. They make money from the numbers, so they aren't going to put you through with any speed.
Better to give the use of such numbers negative publicity than try to get a refund. IMO 07 numbers should be reserved for mobiles only. 070 should be made 08... or 09... to more clearly indicate they're premium rate.
Don't suppose it'll do any good, but you could complain to Ofcom.

vax2002

The deception I feel happens when you agree to dial this number, (the one listed to contact the seller) you are of good faith that you will be connected to the seller, instead you are routed to piped music first to run up the bill, I gave up at 5 minutes .
Trading standards first I think ?

macman

No, it's your decision to call a premium rate number, and your decision to sit on the line for 5 minutes.
Why would trading standards be interested?

Heinz

victor2 wrote: »

IMO 07 numbers should be reserved for mobiles only. 070 should be made 08... or 09... to more clearly indicate they're premium rate.
Don't suppose it'll do any good, but you could complain to Ofcom.

A considerable time ago, Ofcom announced they had reserved the 06 range 'for personalised numbers' (i.e. to migrate 070 number to).

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/numberingreview/statement/summary/

We are increasing consumer protection for 070 personal numbers and will confirm 07 as a mobile-only number range

1.39 Personal Numbering Services are provided on one specific part of the 07 range (070). Ofcom has several concerns about these services. There is very limited consumer awareness of ‘Personal Numbers’ as a concept, and legitimate personal numbering services have had relatively little market impact. At the same time there have been a number of cases where providers have exploited the poor awareness of this range, and the lack of call price ceilings, to run ‘scams’. This is despite previous attempts to restore trust in personal numbers, by removing the ability of 070 providers to use revenue-sharing.
1.40 In the short-term, Ofcom is therefore introducing a price ceiling on calls to personal numbers. If such a call costs more than this ceiling, customers will have to get a free pre-call announcement of the charge involved. The price ceiling will apply regardless of whether the call is made from a BT line, from any other fixed line, a mobile or a payphone. Ofcom is conducting a short further consultation on two options for this ceiling: a standard 20p (per minute or per call) for all customers, or the maximum that the specific customer would pay for a voice call to an 07 mobile phone number. The price ceiling arrangements should be implemented in early 2007.
1.41 As a long-term measure, Ofcom has decided to end the 070 personal numbering range. This will end the scope for confusion with 07 mobile numbers, which creates such potential for abuses. It is not currently obvious that there is a significant level of demand for genuine personal numbering services, so by the end of 2007 Ofcom will review their use to decide whether to open the 06 range of numbers for these services. If 06 is opened then, current 070 services would be expected to transfer by the end of July 2009, and we would cease to allocate new 070 personal numbers after 2007. As part of this review Ofcom will attempt to contact all providers who have been allocated 070 personal numbers.
1.42 Consumers primarily associate the 07 range with mobile services, and this provides a degree of tariff transparency, making clear when consumers are paying a premium for a mobile service. Removing personal numbers from 070 will allow us to consolidate this recognition, by formally designating the 07 range as being for mobile services. Demand for mobile services remains strong, so the 07 sub-ranges of 071-075 will be designated for mobile services to enable continuing growth in competition and variety of services. We will allocate mobile numbers in smaller quantities where appropriate to help ensure enough numbers for new entrants and existing providers.

We are also reserving the 06 range for future individual numbering allocations

1.43 As set out above, Ofcom may migrate current 070 ‘follow-me’ services - personal numbers – to the 06 number range. These migrating services and any new 06 personal numbering services would be expected to follow the same price ceiling as for 070 numbers.
1.44 In addition, we have decided to reserve the 06 range for the longer term to allow for the allocation of ‘individual numbers’. These would differ from personal numbers in that they would be allocated directly to end users. Personal numbers, by contrast, are allocated to communications providers. A number of practical issues need resolving before we could do this.

And then they quietly forgot all about it!

So much for the 'citizen consumer' being No.1 in their remit!

vax2002

macman wrote: »

No, it's your decision to call a premium rate number, and your decision to sit on the line for 5 minutes.
Why would trading standards be interested?

Dont think you get it do you ? :rotfl:

Heinz

vax2002 wrote: »

Dont think you get it do you ? :rotfl:

I think it's the other way round.

ColinAllCars

Free ads clearly explain why they use 070 numbers, that they take a cut to maintain the site, and what they cost to call. So its hardly a scam is it. If the customer does not answer the call you cant blame them,and they dont suggest you hang on and waste your money do they;)