Arrgg!! Rogue 'SMS Subscription Services' and Vodafone

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Arrgg!! Rogue 'SMS Subscription Services' and Vodafone

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#227934 24-Jun-2009 12:48

SMS scams have been in the media for two or three years now. Mobile operators seem to be making too much money off these 'services' to stop partnering with those 'entrepeneurs'.

A good start would be not accepting shortcode services from unknown companies or those using explicitly deceiving advertising.

Another good step would be for companies to offer true customer services, not only services.

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#228059 24-Jun-2009 18:46

Spoke to one tonight and FINALLY got my "one-off goodwill" credit after he had obviously spoken to a superior, asked him to please place a note on my account with some details of this scam in case something more happens with it but he simply just did not understand. I also got my $1 back as well which really surprised me.

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#228060 24-Jun-2009 18:50

Well, you're lucky.. I've tried at least 4 times now with no luck. I just wish I could speak to a NZ based Vodafone rep, rather than a call centre rep based in Egypt who is following a script!

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#228064 24-Jun-2009 19:06

I'd suggest doing what Perrin said - head to http://www.tdr.org.nz/forms and print out the "Complaint to Company" form, fill that out, and send it to Vodafone at the address listed at http://www.vodafone.co.nz/help/contact-us/. You can guarantee that it will be read by someone in New Zealand, and companies are more receptive to dead tree communications anyway in my experience.

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#229301 29-Jun-2009 19:06

Going through this process now since the 'email to a NZ representative' last week, as told by the manager in the call centre obviously was a ploy to make me happy and go away. I've heard nothing.

Will go through the TDR process (seems long-winded).. meanwhile the account will be paid (minus the amount we are disputing).

rubygirl

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#233123 9-Jul-2009 17:15

This is what I just posted (minus typos) to Paul Brislen, Vodafone apologist, on another geekzone thread re this issue:

Shame on you Paul Brislen! You know these IQ Quizzes are scams, and we know they are scams! You earn your dollars making excuses for Vodafone and telecom's shameful practice. As you probably know, in the UK this practice has been banned. If it was a squeaky clean and genuine business this would not have happened.

The only reason it is still happening here is because companies like Vodafone and Telecom are either bullying the Commerce Commission into not introducing the same bans here or our Commerce Commission is too bureacratic or incompetent or snowed under or all of (or some of) the above.

Your being an advocate for this sneaky method of swindling New Zealanders and the funnelling of thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of local dollars to overseas scammers, has lowered my former high opinion of you. I once respected you as a fellow techy - now I'm disgusted at how easily you can be bought.

And, contrary to what the web site may say, no, you don't need to enter a PIN to get scammed. All they require is a mobile number and they can get that off Facebook. I can only hope that someone gives them your mobile number - but then you work for Vodafone don't you, so you don't pay for your phone and anyway, Vodafone can probably waive the charges for themselves as they go on taking a cut of the scammers loot. Just find me ONE person who is happy with this service - just one! You know you will be searching for a long time.

If one of these new mobile companies can assure their customers that these scammers would be cut off after the first 100 complaints against them, then I would sign up tomorrow. Anyone know of one?

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#233160 9-Jul-2009 18:19

Just an update to this. After posting (yes, that old method of communication) a written/typed complaint, I heard from Vodafone NZ by way of a phone call within 2 days of it being posted.

The charges are being removed from our account, it was stated they always do this in the first instance (?!)

I voiced my concern over the SMS scam and was told it would be investigated with the third party and I would be contacted this week with details of how 'we were signed up'. I have yet to hear the results of this.
I've got the Vodafone lady's contact details so will contact her early next week if I haven't heard anything.

Its good we got the credit (yet to confirm!).. however, there is no reason this won't happen again. As I mentioned, its a ROGUE sms partner who is not following Vodafone's own double opt-in rules.
I'm hopeful they will kick this company (Mobile Finger)'s a$$ to the curb.

I also complained about the Egypt call centre and was told they are collecting all the complaints about the call centre. I was told there have been many complaints.

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#233329 10-Jul-2009 00:26

perhaps we need to see some legislation to protect the consumer in situations like this. We already have legislation in place to handle door-to-door sales (for example) which gives you a 7 day cooling of period with no questions asked money back refund if you change your mind. perhaps something similar could exist for these 'premium' TXT services. I expect that the cooling off period would have to be shorter though..... maybe 2 days.

one potential upside of legislation for the telco's is that they could easily withold payments to vendors such as this if they were backed up by law. it would be more difficult to manage under pre-pay though, i guess.

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#233381 10-Jul-2009 06:41

This is interesting. Must be tough being a mobile user in China!

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#233384 10-Jul-2009 07:16

isn't this sort of marketing contract by omission type scenario?

"here is the service, you will recieve it unless we hear back from you"

In contract law that is a void contract isn't it?

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#233652 10-Jul-2009 13:48

ZollyMonsta: Just an update to this. After posting (yes, that old method of communication) a written/typed complaint, I heard from Vodafone NZ by way of a phone call within 2 days of it being posted.

What a nightmare!! Did this make it to Fair Go? I recall a story on this recently - was it yours?

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#233784 10-Jul-2009 17:06

ahmad:
ZollyMonsta: Just an update to this. After posting (yes, that old method of communication) a written/typed complaint, I heard from Vodafone NZ by way of a phone call within 2 days of it being posted.

What a nightmare!! Did this make it to Fair Go? I recall a story on this recently - was it yours?

Fair Go got back in touch, but have been quiet since. I am waiting to hear back as to HOW this third party signed us up and will let them know.

ahmad

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#233788 10-Jul-2009 17:08

Ok so this is not the fair go story I have seen run before then. Somewhat unfortunately for you I suspect they tend not to revisit issues with a full story unless they see a reason for it.

Good luck!

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#233801 10-Jul-2009 17:25

Well if I bring up proof of no actual subscription to the service being done by us, then they might well re-visit. Of course it will come down to what info I am provided by Vodafone (and what info is provided to them).

ahmad

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#233809 10-Jul-2009 17:58

ZollyMonsta: Well if I bring up proof of no actual subscription to the service being done by us, then they might well re-visit. Of course it will come down to what info I am provided by Vodafone (and what info is provided to them).

If it wasn't clear I just wanted to clarify that I didn't intend any disrepect to the nature of your situation. I was simply pointing out that old topics seem to rarely be revisited unless in *their* eyes there is something novel about the case.

Good luck.

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