Charges For Incoming Texts

Chaufeurse1956

Can somebody please advise me with regard to this appalling charge I have only heard of today. I very rarely use my PAYG Vodaphone but was surprised to discover that I had no credit on my phone when I needed it yesterday. I have been receiving some of those blasted 'offer' texts (where on earth do these people get my number from as I hardly use the mobile phone?). Obviously I have no idea who the text is from until I open them and then I immediately delete them. I have now been advised that I may very well be paying for the privilege of this totally unsolicitored garbage that is sent to my mobile phone! Could somebody please confirm if this is true? I only discovered this appalling situation when a friend queried a bill for almost £9 on her vodaphone contract and was advised that it was incoming texts. The customer service rep tripped over his tongue to tell her that all networks charge for these unsolicitored selling/offer texts. My husband was aghast when I informed him tonight to such a degree that he suggested I stop using my mobile. Rather amusing considering that I have not even switched it on for about 2 month! Also my friend was advised that should you receive these texts while you have no credit on your PAYG phone the networks will instantly remove this charge as soon as you top up the phone.
How can this form of daylight robbery be legal? It is almost like an open cheque book for some unscrupulous companies who must text enormous amounts of unsolicitored rubbish to thousands of phones a day!
All suggestions and advice gratefully received with regard to this. Christine

jo_b_2

Edinburghlass is probably the best person to ask about this, as I know that this has happened to her before.

From warnings that she has given out before, the texts should stop if you text 'STOP' as a reply to the unsolicited text message.

You can also register your mobile phone number with the telephone preference service. (Thanks again to info passed on by Edinburghlass.

You can register online http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

Make sure you complain to your mobile provider as well. Hopefully, they should refund some of your credit, although I don't suppose they have any legal obligation to! :mad:

Jazzycat

best action is to check from whom the texts are coming and check what they need to cancel them being sent and charged to you.

As said by last post text "STOP" as a reply to the text you recieve. You should then get a reply saying something like "you request has been acknowledged"

I had a similar situation from a firm I downloaded a ringtone from. Utter daylight robbery where you are fleeced for a few weeks until you work out what to do.

Good Luck!

zcaprd7

I'm not an expert, but its unusual to get unsolicited stuff that charges you.

Usually someone will sign up to an alert or ringtone without reading the small print and then forget about it?

The unsolicted stuff is usually free and they try to con you into ringing a premiuim rate number - if you suspect foul play go to Icstis:

http://www.icstis.org.uk/

They sorted anspam text out for me (though I was one of many they still sent me an email informing me of the culprits fine).

skylight

But you have to PAY to stop them!

You are texting them back and pay your usual text rate. Okay, I know its not much, but after an arguement in the Vodafone shop, I told them polietly where they could shove their phone and would never be a returning customer after their "not our problem" attitude. (For a rarely used phone and I have NEVER requested a download nor entered any competition)

Apparaently, ring tone downloads sales have now out srtipped chart singles sales and as you are committing yourself to purchasing more ring tones until you cancel the "authorities" are keeping a clsoe eye on the situation (But as my kids were being super noisy, I didn't catch who the "authority" was.)

I don't even know who to complain to? Does anybody? Perhaps we could en masse complain and get something actioned?

skylight

Just found this at TPS when I went to register my new mobile.

The Telephone Preference Service can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers, however it is important to note that this will prevent the receipt of live marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. This is because under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2004 it is unlawful to send an unsolicited sales and marketing text message. Telemarketing companies who send SMS messages need your prior permission. There is no obligation therefore for companies sending SMS messages to people who have agreed to receive them, to screen against the TPS file. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, please send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is responsible for the enforcement of these regulations.

mailto:mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
or http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/

Am still livid that I have to Pay for the Opt-out for something I have never requested.

jf2404

forward the message to 87726 (VSPAM).

All it takes to receive a dodgy text is to give your number out. you could have bought something online and had to enter your contact number, in their T&C all it needs to say is "by accepting you agree that we can give your details to our partner companies" if one of those companies happens to be a spammer, then it starts from there and a nasty chain can form.

If you don't use the phone that often and as it is only a PAYG, it is easy to get a number change (new sim) and that will stop any dodgy texts to you.

good luck.

Chaufeurse1956

Thanks everybody for your advice. My main problem is that I have no idea who has my number as I do not, under any circumstances, give out my mobile phone number. If I do fill in a form and telephone numbers are requested I usually do something along the lines of 0790 000000 or 111111 - I have never asked for, nor am I interested in, new tones for my phone. It is quite literally kept for emergencies only and is never switched on. I can guarantee you though the minute I do switch it on that a text comes up. Especially with Vodaphone! I have now decided that I will automatically delete the texts without reading them as I too object to replying STOP to these moron's when I have not asked for anything in the first place. My main concern is that with the computerised systems now 'ex directory' is obviously a thing of the past at home and within the mobile network. I signed up for the Call Prefs years ago for my home phone but still get these blasted automated calls from the UK and overseas. If people/companies are going to use software to locate phone numbers then we are really fighting a losing battle. Wonder how long it will be before BT jump on the idea of us having to pay for unsolicitored incoming phone calls to our home numbers - ohh, I am envisaging the outcry as I type! At least 18866 and my calls to the US via 1899 are brilliant and mean I never have to use BT for their calls. I won't worry about changing my sim as it is basically pointless if software is going to locate an 'active' number everytime. I am not even sure if I have been charged but know my friend was charged £9. My husband's reaction was classic. He is so quiet and nothing bugs him but this infuriated him because he is right - it is like an open chequebook for some companies. Something will have to be done to stop it eventually. Thank you all again for your kindness is replying and genuinely caring. Great!!

Murtle

Forwarding messages to VSPAM (87726) is free for all Vodafone customers in the UK.


as per vodafone.co.uk

there should be similar for other networks.