7 posts tagged “phone pay plus”
...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
From what I've read and heard about PhoneBrain's latest initiative, this disclaimer would appear to be at odds:
PP+ (PhonepayPlus, the regulator behind PhoneBrain) is, quite clearly, encouraging children to use PRS (premium rate services) with their lesson plans for teachers and the general content of their site. If telling kids that PRS is good for the economy, not to believe any negative media stories and giving over whole lessons to ringtone creation isn't encouragement, I don't know what is.
– Building Trust and Confidence
Dammit, I just had to wipe down my laptop's screen after I spat out a mouthful of water at it! The above isn't my words, I couldn't even make that matsushita up!
Seriously people, keep away from premium rate numbers. If you don't need to call them, don't call them. It doesn't matter if it's about saving the whales, children, the children of the Prince of Wales or all three. There are plenty of ways to give your money to whatever charity you choose without giving a cut of that to a mobile phone network and a shady aggregator.
My advice is never, ever use a shortcode. Never ever call a premium rate phone number. Keep it geographic and regular mobile numbers only. Occasionally you'll be forced to dial a non-geographic 'helpline' number - still, my advice goes - If you can find a proper alternative via the likes of SayNoTo0870 (that's not just for 0870 alternatives!) use that instead. You may avoid a huge phone queue and a huge phone bill.
Taken from the CYBERCHUGGER blog's Roger Craven. Post entitled, Seminar on Charity Fundraising
I was at a seminar yesterday called Charity Fundraising (Competitions, Lotteries and Donations) using Premium Rate Phone-paid Services – Building Trust and Confidence.It was organised by BWB solicitors & PhonepayPlus, in association with Institute of Fundraising and Third Sector as the Media Partner, and it was intended to discuss the opportunities and issues associated with using premium rate services as a further option for charity fund-raising.
Those speaking included:
• Sir Alistair Graham, Chairman of PhonepayPlus, the regulator of Premium Rate Services
• Tom Kavanagh, Deputy Chief Executive, Gambling Commission
• Rosamund McCarthy, Partner, Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP
• Paul Whiteing, Director of Policy & Innovation, PhonepayPlus
• Megan Pacey, Director of Policy and Campaigns, Institute of Fundraising
• Mike Short PhonepayPlus Board member and Vice President O2
• Andrew Bud PhonepayPlus Board member and Executive Chairman, mBlox
Resignation from PhonepayPlus Board
Statement from Sir Alistair Graham, Chairman
"I have today accepted with regret Andrew Bud's resignation from the Board of PhonepayPlus.
"Andrew has
served with distinction since his appointment in 2005. His extensive knowledge
of the phone-paid services market has been a great help to PhonepayPlus as it
seeks to pre-empt and prevent causes of harm, and protect consumers when they
occur.
"However, some compliance issues have been identified recently in relation
to the services of some customers of mBlox. Andrew wanted to be free to
address these issues directly, ensuring that all such services meet public and
regulatory expectations, without his position on the Board becoming a consideration
or matter of speculation.
Been otherwise engaged today, so not been blogging or looking into the scams. However I've been talking to my niece (and about to talk to my nephews) about these dodgy messages and the emptying out of one's PAYG/pre-pay account.
What I've discovered is that my niece was scammed and lost a bit of money too. Compared to me, that 'bit' was a huge amount (both her and her mum aren't entirely sure but we're talking at very least £10). I guess, according to the industry, she deserved it though. Why? Well all (or part) of this was after she ordered a ringtone or wallpaper (or such like, it was over a year ago and she can't quite recall everything). Those scams are now regarded as the classic ones, these actually did make the news - well the Crazy Frog ones did. Anyway, she would've been around 10 at the time and wouldn't have had any idea of what was about to happen.
Did she send STOP ALL, or anything like that? Again she can't remember, it was such a long time ago. What she does know is that once her credit had been emptied (as soon as she topped up it was empty again) she ditched the SIM and phone number. My niece learnt her lesson by the looks of things as she hasn't been scammed since. Not that avoiding scams doesn't mean you won't get robbed, it just makes it less likely and you won't get any crap about how "you must've opted in sir". Actually you will, you'll get that crap from the network, the regulator and the scammer but you can tell them that without a doubt you didn't. If you're fortunate to be a contract customer you can show 'em your bill to prove it too! Shame pre-pay customers get screwed (they have no proof!)
This experience shows how companies like mBlox (I'm not implying they were involved in this one as I don't know, maybe they were, maybe they weren't) and their clients can take advantage of those that are vulnerable to these scams. It shows how premium shortcodes service providers are taking advantage of PAYG users - especially those that are too young to understand the implications of "just" buying a ringtone, wallpaper or whatever.
Well I've got her old number and know that it's T-Mobile, so I'll be seeing if they can work out the provider (are the networks required to keep billing records of PAYG customers in the UK?
With the amount of UK youngsters with mobiles is anything to go by, and if my niece's experience is the norm rather than the exception, there's some serious questions that need to be addressed by the industry and PhonepayPlus. Can you imagine how much the networks, the aggregators and the "service" providers make out of these?
I was interrupted earlier and left it there, whilst I've been away we've been looking at my nephew's PAYG phone on T-Mobile. Eeek! It's full of crappy spam messages and we're trying to figure out where they came from. Despite my run ins with these people and what I've found out online, I'm still gobsmacked. Nephew claims that he didn't subscribe to anything and I believe him. In the unlikely event he is wrong, there''d still be no excuse - certainly judging by the content of some of the messages.
That's not a typo, I meant SPANNER, 'cause that's what they are... tools! Oh, enough of my never ending wit already...
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!
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':
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.
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.
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