PRIZE
TEXT MESSAGES
ICSTIS warns consumers to be
on their guard against unsolicited and deceitful 'prize' text messages
that trick people into calling premium rate numbers by stating that
they have won a prize.
Typical messages state that
"YOU ARE A WINNER OF A £400 REWARD! Our computer has
randomly picked YOU from our loyal network customers to receive
a £400 reward. 2 claim call 090XXXXXXXX" or "CONGRATULATIONS!
In this week's draw you have won a £1,000 prize! To claim
just call 090XXXXXXXX".
ICSTIS' warning follows its
recent action against four companies for sending out similarly misleading
text messages. In those cases, which resulted in £80,000 of
fines and lengthy bars against the firms responsible, members of
the public complained about:
• the unsolicited and
intrusive nature of the messages
• the apparent cash 'prizes' turning out to be vouchers with
numerous terms and conditions attached
• no mention of the cost of calling the premium rate number
• no indication of the true identity of the sender - many
complainants actually thought the messages had been sent by their
own mobile network
In issuing this alert, ICSTIS
Director George Kidd says:
"We know that several
more companies are attempting to run these so-called 'services'.
"Our message to them is
clear: we will not allow widespread public trust in premium rate
charging across the mobile and other sectors to be damaged in this
way and we will continue to take whatever action is necessary against
those responsible.
"We also expect the telephone
networks that provide the lines in the first place to make every
effort to ensure that such services do not repeatedly appear on
their numbers and have written to all networks to warn them about
the consumer harm caused by these services.
"We will not hesitate
in continuing to report those networks that seemingly fail to support
measures to protect consumers by continuing to provide lines to
companies operating in flagrant breach of our Code of Practice."
ICSTIS' advice to people who
receive such unsolicited text messages is:
• remember that such
messages will almost always be sent from commercial organisations.
• ask yourself why a company wants to give you a "£1,000
prize" - what's in it for them? Offers that seem too good to
be true usually are.
• look for pricing information - call costs, in either a price
per minute or total call cost format, must be given at all times
and there should be a warning that calling the premium rate number
from mobile phones may cost more.
• always read the terms and conditions - if you still have
doubts about calling the service, simply don't call it.
• report any such text messages to ICSTIS - by using the online
complaints form (www.icstis.org.uk) or on its free helpline (0800
500212).
• consider contacting the Telephone Preference Service on
0845 0700 707 to remove your mobile phone contact details from future
mailing lists.
Telephone Preference Service
(TPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel: 020 7291 3320
Web: http://www.tpsonline.org.uk
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