The targeted services are those that are accessed on non-premium
rate landline numbers, often prefixed with 0871, where callers are
not only charged for the call, but are also charged through
expensive reverse-billed text messages (possibly including ‘flash’
SMS messages).
Providers have until 3rd February to stop offering these
services, says ICSTIS. The watchdog warns that it will take
immediate action under its emergency procedures against any
operator that fails to comply.
The regulator is concerned that advertising for the service is
misleading, and often does not make it clear what charges will be
incurred when customers ring what appears to be a non-premium-rate
number.
An investigation carried out by the regulator revealed that the
targeted services were charging customers by sending numerous
reverse-billed text messages to the caller. These were usually sent
on connection but were sometimes sent during or following the
call.
Moreover ‘flash’ messages – which appear directly on the
recipient’s screen – are not generally stored in in-boxes, so when
these were used as part of the charging process, no records were
being kept, adding to consumer confusion.
ICSTIS is also concerned that the practice is bypassing access
control and rating requirements that premium rate sexual
entertainment services and chat services use designated prefixes,
such as 090, or shortcodes, such as 69 or 89.
This is impacting on consumer understanding of these numbers as
indicators of content and charging, says the regulator.
