10 posts tagged “ofcom”

If you're in England and live outside of London, you're probably aware that something's amiss if you've tried to catch a local TV bulletin. Of course I'm talking about ITV's bulletins (the BBC's ones have always been amiss and hardly local).

Just like all the regulators in the UK, OFCOM (who are in charge of broadcasting amongst other things) are set up in the interests of businesses, not the consumer, not the customer, not the good of the nation.  They'll do anything to help their friends.  To hell with anyone else.

So what have ITV plc done to really grind my gears?  They've merged all the local news operations into giant regional messes.  It's been happening slowly but surely for the last few years but has now switched to first (gear that is).  There is absolutely no point watching the bulletins any more as most are now filled with stories that have absolutely no relevance to the viewer...

But that's the point, is it not?  Once people stop tuning in, ITV plc can go crying to their friends at OFCOM, telling them that no one is watching and that they're losing a mountain of cash nightly at 6pm and 10.30pm.  To which OFCOM will no doubt tell them not to worry, you are no longer obligated to do regional news - why not put extra episodes of Emmerdale on instead?

Gus Hunnybun is probably turning over in his grave

The Guardian's take on the situation: here (take time to read the comments too)

PhonepayPlus or, as I like to call them PeePeePlus, are in the news again. The regulator in charge of cleaning up a dirty industry is attempting to clean up it's own act but, quite frankly, is not going nearly far enough.  The funny thing being that no one thinks they're doing a good job - whether they're in the industry or just unwitting helpless victims of it.

So, without much further ado, some recent news stories across the interweb that my Google News found for me...

The Register: PhonepayPlus gets stern on pricey premium raters

If I can steal some quotes from PeePeePlus that The Reg has um, quoted:

some companies have adopted practices which are leading to increased consumer complaints

The consumer cannot be charged until they have confirmed their subscription by replying to that text

There are many innovative, useful and fun services available to consumers via their mobiles

A majority of industry respondents were sceptical of the need for subscription services to seek active consumer confirmation, on the grounds that this could cause consumer confusion and adversely affect sales

Good to see PeePeePlus pussy-footing around what those companies they regulate get up to.  Those 'practices' that these companies have adopted would be, in any properly regulated industry, illegal.  Very few premium rate services are run in a fair and honest way.  And, very few are offering a worthy service.

Common sense and best business practice would've suggested consumers should only get a service that they've opted in for.  Had this been the case last year, Spread Media LTD wouldn't have been able to steal money from me and thousands of others.

And of course the industry doesn't want any measure that will lead to scam artists and rogue businesses earning any less.  The big 'legit' aggregators/service providers make way too much money from them to truly want the industry cleaned up.  Just look at how the world's largest mobile transaction network, mBlox, keeps teaming up with folk they know to be scamming the public.  They don't care that innocent parties have had money effectively stolen from them and they don't care that they pocket part of the proceeds of such scams.  Just look at how much time and effort I had to put in before mBlox compensated me with the grand sum of £10!

IntoMobile: UK: New measures issued for Mobile phone services’ marketing and payment

Mobile Entertainment: PhonepayPlus hits back at criticism

..and another nugget from M.E.: Could the new PhonepayPlus rules be flawed?

Oh and that's not a 'is it flawed for consumers?' but a 'is it flawed for the grubby companies in this grubby industry of ours?' by the looks of things.

The author of this article admits that the wife got sent an unsolicited text and they were happy enough to just send 'STOP' back.  It looks like neither the author, nor his wife, actually checked their bills.  Had they done, they'd have realised why people aren't happy with the industry and why there's a need for, at the very least, the measures PeePeePlus have now put in place.  In my mind, from my experierence and that of other victims I've heard about, these measures are too little too late.  This industry needs a full overhaul!

Tougher action has come from another regulator PhonepayPlus, which monitors premium content. After a doubling of complaints related to mobile services in the past year, it has issued new rules. Anyone signing up to a subscription service which charges more than £4.50 ($6.25) in any given week (including joining costs) must first receive, and reply to, a free confirmation message outlining the cost and conditions of the service. And content providers wanting to offer such services must first apply to PhonepayPlus.

Link to full article here: Regulators bid for more influence on both sides of the pond

It's good to see that the news is spreading about how complaints (and, as such, presumably fraud) is on the increase.  Only if we complain more and demand action, will we see this kind of fraud and/or business practice stamped out for good.

...and yesterday, and possibly the day before (heck, I should've just said 'week'!)

Mobile Industry Review PhonepayPlus: The dinner lady of the UK mobile industry

CBBC Tough new rules for phone pests

Mobile Entertainment PhonepayPlus 'Why we had to act against abuses'

and Mobile Entertainment again... New rules for UK mobile providers

And if you want expert analysis, well placed cynicism, some laughs and lots of dirt undug I wholeheartedly recommend The Scream's 'General Telco' forum here

Just some quick links:

The Register has a piece about the OFCOM report: HERE

-and-

MoneySavingExpert.com has a piece about 0870 numbers: HERE

Very good reads.  For what it's worth the OFCOM report is the usual crapola and it in itself isn't worthy of 5 seconds (believe me, I spent much longer than that reading it!)

MPS Mobile Privacy Service - Shortcode 80824

2 comments

The guy behind this is known as being a bit shifty*.  He's sent out a bucket load of unsolicited crap and charged folk on the receiving end for the privilege (including moi).  He's been ticked off by the regulator before but keeps coming back, 'cos the regulator doesn't give a damn.

The joker has the cheek to run a site that claims to put a stop to what his other companies do.  Crazy that, isn't it?  Well let's see what PhonepayPlus have to say about it (yeah, I like wasting time!)

*Did I forget to say he sent me a 'goodwill' check that bounced?

George Kidd, CEO of Phonepayplus, said broadcasters and service providers were clearly seeking to offer viewers transparency.

"Today's announcement marks the latest step toward rebuilding trust in these exciting services,"

The above was from New Media Age, read the whole article here:

12 companies pass Phonepayplus permission process

If ever proof was needed that the interests of the regulator and the regulated were perfectly aligned... Exciting services?  What a load of cobblers.  Perhaps people get excited when they see their bills (or their dwindling prepay credit).

I wonder if there is a regulator left in the UK that has the interests of the public, not the industry at heart?

They hadn't got back to me, so I thought I'd give 'em a call and see what's up.  Ended up explaining my situation to yet another person and as helpful as they were, they couldn't guarantee anything.  I don't think anyone was really going to call me back either, they just said that last time to get me off the phone.

So what now?  Well they might get back to me tomorrow but maybe not.  I really need to have an official complaint thingy from OFCOM and CISAS if I want to do things properly.  If I remember correctly CISAS only get involved after 3 months!  Er, I kinda want my money back today.

I was made to feel bad that if I got help today it would be at the expense of all the other people in the queue.  I don't like to queue jump so of course I'd feel like a bastard for doing so.  However, I want my money back today and I have no idea how long the queue of complainents is (doing a Google would suggest there could be tens of thousands of people ahead of me!)

Now what?  Well I can ring India again and see where I get.  I'm also in London on Wednesday, so doorstepping their HQ seems like a mighty fine idea.  I know where it is as I've been past it enough times.

All this because they overcharged me £6 a month for many months, so decide to cancel and had £108 taken from my account for no reason, no permission.  Why can't they just simply credit my money back and let me move on?

That's not a typo, I meant SPANNER, 'cause that's what they are... tools!  Oh, enough of my never ending wit already...

Regulate this!

I would love to hear from those of you that have had a run in with PhonepayPlus/ICSTIS maybe even OFCOM or OFTEL, PayPal or PalPlus.  Whatever they like to be called on a Tuesday!  Crikey, it's Tuesday already!

Of equal interest to me and presumably the majority of the people reading my Fraudwatch posts (remember don't have nightmares, goodnight and good luck) are the perpertrators and enablers, the likes of mBlox and the Tanla's and Spread Media's of this world.  Anyone got any stories about these less than savoury folk (oh I hate biting my tongue!)

The world (okay the UK) needs to hear your story, so please get in touch.  I know you're reading as lots of people were checking out my latest Fraudwatch posts, from across the country - and they can't all be Andrew Bud (scroll to comments for a treat) or David Shepard.

BTW for those new to my blog, Andrew Bud's company is in cahoots with the scammers and he is also The Regulator - I'll be back... to steal your money!

The Bud-dy Movie of the Year!

Oh this really does take the piece of pie.  I've just come across the most annoying website I've seen in a long time.  What to check it too?  Here's PhonepayPlus's 'How to patronise the yoof 101':

PHONEbrainless

Unfortunately PHONEbrain is run by an organisation whose members make money from the above - That's why you won't see them recommending the yoof leave these services well alone.  It'd be silly for them to give up their cash cow that is us, the unsuspecting public.  But even if you avoid all premium services it won't make you completely immune to bill-shock.  You don't need to call or text any premium rate service or shortcode to end up with a nasty surprise.  And I'm sure there's been a time when many on prepay/PAYG needed to call mum or dad and were left with no credit because of this.

Doin my PHONEbrain in!

Notice that they now offer a service called SMSus.  It can cost upto 12p to call and what it does is tell you who scammed you sent you a lovely premium message that you of course opt-ed into.  Kinda interesting that PhonepayPlus.org.uk has no mention of paying upto 12p for the same service...

How much does it cost, who knows!

This would appear to suggest that texting 76787 is completely free.  There's no mention of 'never more than 12p'  If the industry regulator can't even offer a service involving shortcodes without mudding the waters, how do we expect them to regulator the likes of mBlox?

Oh, and hi to "client use" in London (if that is your real name!) - Repeated visits over four and a half hours?  You're taking a lot of interest in my posts about these shennanigans.  I just missed you half an hour ago but hopefully you'll come back and read this.  Remember, if you're from mBlox and/or are in any way responsible for the the shortcode 84566 you owe me £1.50 for every page hit I get from your IP address.  I'll be dropping by your London office(s) to collect, so don't forget!  And as a treat, I'll be Qik-ing it live to the interweb.

And if "client use" is a fellow victim, please get in touch I'd love to find out more.  Alternatively it could be PhonepayPlus, but you way as well be mBlox for all the good you do.  Useless bunch of muppets.