BEWARE! Do Not Enter Competitions By SMS

[cammo84]

If you read the fine print it says "subscription service". These people don't run competitions just because they're generous and wanna give stuff away. Be a bit more observant next time. But for the record, I really disagree with this type of scam, it should be banned.

 

[MacMum]

If you read the fine print it says "subscription service". These people don't run competitions just because they're generous and wanna give stuff away. Be a bit more observant next time. But for the record, I really disagree with this type of scam, it should be banned.

There won't be a next time......and yes, they should be banned and I wish people would start kicking up a fuss, its the only way it will be stopped....

It should never be just accepted and for them to be allowed to go on their merry way, collecting millions as they go..

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

This thread reminds me of a scene from The Office.

[YOUTUBE]76M4qOWI_Gg[/YOUTUBE]

 

[carltonfc4eva]

I too allready knew this crap was a scam, but still sucks they got you. Hopefully most people know not to sign up to this shit.

 

[OneEyedHawk]

I think its more the ones that are like 'SMS what colour top I'm wearing to win $$' Those are the type of ones you should avoid, the ones that subscribe you to some unknown service.

Network TV comps are usually alright, well I've never read anything in the fine print which says its subsribing you to something, just usually that the SMS will cost you 50c.

I enter the one-off comps all the time, stuff like HotShots (Wimbeldon/ Aust. open- won a grand once) or Classic Catches. Those ones seem pretty legit, though you're tempting fate and risking the market research/ sales parasites getting hold of your number.

Ones to definitely stay away from are the ones that begin with 1940....
Those ones will bend you over every time.

 

[Schache It Off]

This is what happens to spoiled little brats.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Should be illegal.
Don't know how they still get away with it.

But I'm glad to say that my brother got a letter from Reader's Digest yesterday telling him he'd won $500,000. So glad he sent them the admin cheque for $100. Can't wait for my new car

 

[getthefooty]

I sympathise with the OP, I too go dragged into one of these 'competitions'. Ridiculously unjust, can't believe they actually charge you for the sending of their texts. It doesn't make sense. I don't give a shit if its dumb, ignorant or mindless to get fooled by one of these things, it simply isn't fair - especially to the older generation that aren't used to technology and its nuances.

 

[borgsta2006]

....or buy ringtones etc......i stupidly entered a competition by sms and it has turned into a damn nightmare.....apparently unscrupulous companies can "subscribe" you to their list and then charge you (unknowingly) $10 per week!.....and this can go on and on until you realise you bill has gone up and up!

After a week of arguing with a particular company and telstra, i have finally had these types of sms's that i was getting (and ignoring) barred from my phone, and the money owing waived..

This practice has surely got to be illegal??....if not, it is morally wrong and a scam at least.....

People, do not get caught like i did.........i have now also heard of others being caught as well, so it is apparently quite widespread....

owned by telstra....:d

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Crap like this should be banned outright and the operators given a legalistic kick in the gonads - it serves no-one except the scammers themselves.

 

[HAWKS HEROES]

had that happen once , they sent me a message that i had a free ring tone, and then when i got the bill there were these charges that i got for something i had not wanted ,and on my bill their number was there so i rang and gave it to them and got a cheque refund of charges they had billed me for a service i did not even put my number down for , this happened about 10 years ago , looks like they are still doing it !

 

[azreal]

The SMS competition ads on TV are shonky, but not all SMS competitions are. We won a $1500 springfree trampoline from the Today Show... Thanks channel 9

 

[The Dice Man]

I thought this thread was from 1999.

 

[Mr P@H]

Should be illegal.
Don't know how they still get away with it.

People don't read small print.....

 

[MacMum]

Very often, the small print in the T.V comps. etc are so small as to be unreadable...........nevertheless, we should be able to enter these things, or buy ringtones whatever, without having to worry about this sort of scam..

 

[YOTC]

Very often, the small print in the T.V comps. etc are so small as to be unreadable...........nevertheless, we should be able to enter these things, or buy ringtones whatever, without having to worry about this sort of scam..

Get your eyes checked. It's very readable.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Whats an 'SMS' anyway?

 

[Niximus]

Very often, the small print in the T.V comps. etc are so small as to be unreadable...........nevertheless, we should be able to enter these things, or buy ringtones whatever, without having to worry about this sort of scam..

Get a better TV

 

[Refried Noodle]

Stupid people sometimes deserve to be liberated from their money. It's also what keeps the economy going. If everyone scrounged, saved, shopped scrupulously and only bought what they needed, not what they wanted then we'd all be up shit creek.
Keep doing it for the good of the nation I say!

 

[MacMum]

So you people heaping scorn on me and others for being caught by this type of thing, think it is o.k for companies to be allowed to just "sign you up" without permission and then charge you money, often unknowingly??

Obviously you do........strange people!!

Or could it be that because you know about it, anyone who doesn't, is silly??......if that is the case, it is a very mean spirited and spiteful attitude to have.....

There just might come a day when something happens to you, that you didn't know about, and then you will wish someone had told you earlier...

The issue here is not how silly I and others are, its that these type of scams exist and are allowed to exist...It is wrong, and if people like you out there just accept them, and laugh at others getting caught, then they will continue..

 

[Mr P@H]

So you people heaping scorn on me and others for being caught by this type of thing, think it is o.k for companies to be allowed to just "sign you up" without permission and then charge you money, often unknowingly??

Obviously you do........strange people!!

Or could it be that because you know about it, anyone who doesn't, is silly??......if that is the case, it is a very mean spirited and spiteful attitude to have.....

There just might come a day when something happens to you, that you didn't know about, and then you will wish someone had told you earlier...

The issue here is not how silly I and others are, its that these type of scams exist and are allowed to exist...It is wrong, and if people like you out there just accept them, and laugh at others getting caught, then they will continue..

You allow them to sign you up when you buy a crappy ringtone you could download from the internet and onto your phone for zilch or when you answer their so called "Trivia challenge". Is it their fault you don't read their Small print (It's not that small, i can read it clearly at the bottom of the screen) saying "This costs £1.50 and £5 weekly charge to join the weekly quiz/Ringtone club" or their Terms and conditions which are advertised on their adverts? These make their ads totally legal and if you you should take more care over what you spend your money on. You wouldn't buy a house or car without reading through the contract.

 

[tempting]

Someone suggested to me that anyone who subscribes to ringtones should be executed.

Obviously this wont ever happen but I like his radical evolutionary theory.

 

[Niximus]

Someone suggested to me that anyone who subscribes to ringtones should be executed.

Obviously this wont ever happen but I like his radical evolutionary theory.

No need to be so harsh, sterilising would have the same effect.

 

[MacMum]

You allow them to sign you up when you buy a crappy ringtone you could download from the internet and onto your phone for zilch or when you answer their so called "Trivia challenge". Is it their fault you don't read their Small print (It's not that small, i can read it clearly at the bottom of the screen) saying "This costs £1.50 and £5 weekly charge to join the weekly quiz/Ringtone club" or their Terms and conditions which are advertised on their adverts? These make their ads totally legal and if you you should take more care over what you spend your money on. You wouldn't buy a house or car without reading through the contract.

I have never ever bought a ringtone, or signed up for anything like it, nor have I ever entered their Trivia challenge or whatever it is called....These are not the only competitions where someone can get caught......

I noticed on a fast food receipt recently, in the small print, that by entering that comp. it would incur premium sms charges (and that is what they are called, these extra charges)....Did you enter that?.....tipping a lot of people did!....and got caught!

 

[Niximus]

I have never ever bought a ringtone, or signed up for anything like it, nor have I ever entered their Trivia challenge or whatever it is called....These are not the only competitions where someone can get caught......

I noticed on a fast food receipt recently, in the small print, that by entering that comp. it would incur premium sms charges (and that is what they are called, these extra charges)....Did you enter that?.....tipping a lot of people did!....and got caught!

Premium sms charges are not subscriptions. It is the same as calling a 1900 or 1300 number to enter, they are just telling you that it costs a little more. Besides you read the fine print, do that and whatever the terms you will know before you enter.