July 27, 2008
At last - they've got the rip-off text message
More than 2,000 complaints are pouring in every month to mobile phone regulators over "free" text messages promising games, ringtones and other services that rack up bills of £50 within a couple of days. The Guardian reports.
"Many users have been charged for services they never requested, while others who signed up for a free service have found themselves locked into subscriptions. When customers try to complain, tracing the companies sending the texts is virtually impossible and, even when located, they often fail to halt the messages.
Regulator PhonepayPlus - previously known as Icstis - told Guardian Money that it has received 10,000 complaints this year about text messages, and is now taking urgent measures to combat the problem. For the first time it is promising to immediately ban companies which fail to stop sending text-based services once requested.
... Last week, the European Commission said it was investigating the industry after it found 80% of the 500 websites offering ringtones and "phone wallpaper" breached regulations.
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