Have I won £1000 - or is this a phone scam??
Discussion
Sitting quietly on my PC surfing PHs and my mobile bleeps to inform of the following text message:
" CONGRATULATIONS! The New Years Prize Draw notified us that you have won a £1,000 Prize! This is the second attempt to contact you. To claim call 090 6344 1818 "
I'm on Vodafone by the way. This looks like a scam to me because:
1. I never entered a draw
2. There was no 'first' attempt to contact me
3. They have texted this to me, why not ring
4. Does not say a £1000, but a £1000 prize
5. I have to ring a number to claim - how much will that cost???
Call me suspicious but I don't thinks this is genuine. Anyone else had this message recently???????
" CONGRATULATIONS! The New Years Prize Draw notified us that you have won a £1,000 Prize! This is the second attempt to contact you. To claim call 090 6344 1818 "
I'm on Vodafone by the way. This looks like a scam to me because:
1. I never entered a draw
2. There was no 'first' attempt to contact me
3. They have texted this to me, why not ring
4. Does not say a £1000, but a £1000 prize
5. I have to ring a number to claim - how much will that cost???
Call me suspicious but I don't thinks this is genuine. Anyone else had this message recently???????
The number range is owned by "Medius Networks Limited"
It used to be "Convergent Communications PLC"
It's charged at £1.50 per minute
If you have never subscribed to being advertised by them, then contact OFTEL (www.oftel.gov.uk/consumer/advice/index.htm)
It's quite common for "large" fines to be given out to companies doing this that is "illegal" (although you may or may not have actually subscribed to receiving this sort of service so please ensure you check first before complaining) - see www.olswang.com/ecommerce/legal_news/monkey_fine.html for an example
J
It used to be "Convergent Communications PLC"
It's charged at £1.50 per minute
If you have never subscribed to being advertised by them, then contact OFTEL (www.oftel.gov.uk/consumer/advice/index.htm)
It's quite common for "large" fines to be given out to companies doing this that is "illegal" (although you may or may not have actually subscribed to receiving this sort of service so please ensure you check first before complaining) - see www.olswang.com/ecommerce/legal_news/monkey_fine.html for an example
J
Yep - ring/email the "good guys" at Oftel. Whilst they won't do anything prob. on yours, it adds to the "case file".
However, given I work in the industry - there are a lot of very respectable companies out there, of which the one that sent the sms may or may not (if they are they usually add an 0207/08000/0845 to the end to "unsubscribe") - but there are some companies that just take the ****. Either way, if *you* feel that what you got was inappropiate - please tell the guys/girls at OFTEL so that if it's a regular occurance we can ensure this stuff actually provides value rather than spam.
J
However, given I work in the industry - there are a lot of very respectable companies out there, of which the one that sent the sms may or may not (if they are they usually add an 0207/08000/0845 to the end to "unsubscribe") - but there are some companies that just take the ****. Either way, if *you* feel that what you got was inappropiate - please tell the guys/girls at OFTEL so that if it's a regular occurance we can ensure this stuff actually provides value rather than spam.
J
I complained to oftel about a dialer put on my computer, they were admitedly very good and fined the company £5k (not for the dialer though as I didn't know where I got it and deleted it) but because they broke some other rule. Was researching the rules on premium rate numbers and here in the UK they are very strict.
Size Nine Elm said:
4. Does not say a £1000, but a £1000 prize
I'd be almost prepared to bet on it being £1000 off a timeshare experience which still costs you £2000... And meanwhile you pay £10 for the privelige of finding this out.
My thoughts exactly..........as they they say 'if its almost too good to be true, it usually isn't true at all'. I'll be ringing Oftel before these cowboys.
Sitting quietly on my PC surfing PHs and my mobile bleeps to inform of the following text message:
" CONGRATULATIONS! The New Years Prize Draw notified us that you have won a £1,000 Prize! This is the second attempt to contact you. To claim call 090 6344 1818 "
I'm on Vodafone by the way. This looks like a scam to me because:
1. I never entered a draw
2. There was no 'first' attempt to contact me
3. They have texted this to me, why not ring
4. Does not say a £1000, but a £1000 prize
5. I have to ring a number to claim - how much will that cost???
Call me suspicious but I don't thinks this is genuine. Anyone else had this message recently???????
I got exactly the same message on monday. I was thinking about phoning but was sure it was just a scam, because like you i had never entered anything.
This just confirms it. Cheers guys!
Moonie
TUS 373 & Mr Moon, did you buy your phone from Phones 4u?
I believe they have recently started flogging their number lists to all & sundry - hence the spam/junk SMS.
Grr - I get loads - damned nuisance!
As far as I know there is not a lot that you can do, aprt from using the delete option!
I believe they have recently started flogging their number lists to all & sundry - hence the spam/junk SMS.
Grr - I get loads - damned nuisance!
As far as I know there is not a lot that you can do, aprt from using the delete option!
chris.mapey said: TUS 373 & Mr Moon, did you buy your phone from Phones 4u?
I believe they have recently started flogging their number lists to all & sundry - hence the spam/junk SMS.
Grr - I get loads - damned nuisance!
As far as I know there is not a lot that you can do, aprt from using the delete option!
not sure about it being down to Phones 4 U, Mrs m has got a 02 genie (PAYT) phone and gets quite a few of the messages and I have had a couple on my contract mobile (vodaphone) had the same number for years.
edited to add; could it be something to do with cellnet/02 as my number was originally on cellnet and ported to vodaphone.
>> Edited by Marcos maniac on Wednesday 5th February 11:25
Until recently I used to sell SMS messaging software.
The primary use businesses saw this for was marketing, although a lot of companies are using this for routine customer contact (there is a difference!)
Without any investment in infrastructure or software etc anyone can approach an SMS portal service and purchase a contact numbers list and send spam at a cost of pennies per message (varies from 3 - 10p).
Expect SMS spam to become as bad as email over the next couple of years.
Sorry to have contributed towards the spam hell, but there are legit uses honest!
The primary use businesses saw this for was marketing, although a lot of companies are using this for routine customer contact (there is a difference!)
Without any investment in infrastructure or software etc anyone can approach an SMS portal service and purchase a contact numbers list and send spam at a cost of pennies per message (varies from 3 - 10p).
Expect SMS spam to become as bad as email over the next couple of years.
Sorry to have contributed towards the spam hell, but there are legit uses honest!
Thought this may be of some relevance - sourced from the BBC website.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I’m totally crazy about you!! You are charming, attractive, sweet, you seem intelligent and someone has a secret crush on you - that’s the text message our listeners told us they’d been getting on their mobile phones from Flirt Love Box. But now the text flirt has turned to e mail.
Following 200 complaints about misleading "text flirt" services and the inappropriate way in which they were promoted, ICSTIS the Premium Rate Regulator, has taken action against five companies. Two have been fined £5,000 and three others £3,000, while all the services have ceased to operate.
Service providers have been warned that future similar cases brought to the attention of ICSTIS may attract more stringent sanctions. Complaints to ICSTIS can be registered by calling the free helpline - 0800 500 212 or logging on to www.icstis.org.uk or write to
ICSTIS,
Freepost,
WC5468,
London
SE1 2BR
THE TELEPHONE PREFERENCE SERVICE
To get rid of unwanted phone calls contact the Telephone Preference Service
Choosing the calls you want to receive
Fortunately most of the telephone calls you may be receiving are from people and companies you are happy to hear from; family, friends or organisations whose products and services may be of interest to you or whom you know as customers. Some of you, however, may decide that you do not want companies to telephone you at home unless you have asked them to do so. You will be interested to learn that it is possible to avoid these unwanted calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service. This is now a statutory-backed scheme which enables individuals to register their objection to receiving sales and marketing calls at home. Twenty eight days after an individual's telephone number is registered on this central file, it would be unlawful for any UK company to telephone them without permission.
The telephone numbers of individuals already registered with the voluntary Telephone Preference Service, which the new scheme replaces, will automatically be carried over to the new register.
As a result of new Regulations which came into force on 1 May 1999, the DMA was appointed by OFTEL (Office of Telecommunications) to run the new mandatory Telephone Preference Service.
However, it is the Data Protection Registrar who enforces the regulations and has the power to fine companies who continue to make unwanted calls to individuals who have registered with the scheme. It is your choice whether or not to receive communications by telephone. But before you apply you should consider carefully the fact that registering will prevent you from finding out about goods or services which might be of interest to you.
Also, do remember that the scheme includes companies of whom you are a customer and you may therefore not receive useful information about new products or opportunities.
The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707.
and online at www.tpsonline.org.uk
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I’m totally crazy about you!! You are charming, attractive, sweet, you seem intelligent and someone has a secret crush on you - that’s the text message our listeners told us they’d been getting on their mobile phones from Flirt Love Box. But now the text flirt has turned to e mail.
Following 200 complaints about misleading "text flirt" services and the inappropriate way in which they were promoted, ICSTIS the Premium Rate Regulator, has taken action against five companies. Two have been fined £5,000 and three others £3,000, while all the services have ceased to operate.
Service providers have been warned that future similar cases brought to the attention of ICSTIS may attract more stringent sanctions. Complaints to ICSTIS can be registered by calling the free helpline - 0800 500 212 or logging on to www.icstis.org.uk or write to
ICSTIS,
Freepost,
WC5468,
London
SE1 2BR
THE TELEPHONE PREFERENCE SERVICE
To get rid of unwanted phone calls contact the Telephone Preference Service
Choosing the calls you want to receive
Fortunately most of the telephone calls you may be receiving are from people and companies you are happy to hear from; family, friends or organisations whose products and services may be of interest to you or whom you know as customers. Some of you, however, may decide that you do not want companies to telephone you at home unless you have asked them to do so. You will be interested to learn that it is possible to avoid these unwanted calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service. This is now a statutory-backed scheme which enables individuals to register their objection to receiving sales and marketing calls at home. Twenty eight days after an individual's telephone number is registered on this central file, it would be unlawful for any UK company to telephone them without permission.
The telephone numbers of individuals already registered with the voluntary Telephone Preference Service, which the new scheme replaces, will automatically be carried over to the new register.
As a result of new Regulations which came into force on 1 May 1999, the DMA was appointed by OFTEL (Office of Telecommunications) to run the new mandatory Telephone Preference Service.
However, it is the Data Protection Registrar who enforces the regulations and has the power to fine companies who continue to make unwanted calls to individuals who have registered with the scheme. It is your choice whether or not to receive communications by telephone. But before you apply you should consider carefully the fact that registering will prevent you from finding out about goods or services which might be of interest to you.
Also, do remember that the scheme includes companies of whom you are a customer and you may therefore not receive useful information about new products or opportunities.
The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707.
and online at www.tpsonline.org.uk
THE TELEPHONE PREFERENCE SERVICE
To get rid of unwanted phone calls contact the Telephone Preference Service
Choosing the calls you want to receive
Fortunately most of the telephone calls you may be receiving are from people and companies you are happy to hear from; family, friends or organisations whose products and services may be of interest to you or whom you know as customers. Some of you, however, may decide that you do not want companies to telephone you at home unless you have asked them to do so. You will be interested to learn that it is possible to avoid these unwanted calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service. This is now a statutory-backed scheme which enables individuals to register their objection to receiving sales and marketing calls at home. Twenty eight days after an individual's telephone number is registered on this central file, it would be unlawful for any UK company to telephone them without permission.
The telephone numbers of individuals already registered with the voluntary Telephone Preference Service, which the new scheme replaces, will automatically be carried over to the new register.
As a result of new Regulations which came into force on 1 May 1999, the DMA was appointed by OFTEL (Office of Telecommunications) to run the new mandatory Telephone Preference Service.
However, it is the Data Protection Registrar who enforces the regulations and has the power to fine companies who continue to make unwanted calls to individuals who have registered with the scheme. It is your choice whether or not to receive communications by telephone. But before you apply you should consider carefully the fact that registering will prevent you from finding out about goods or services which might be of interest to you.
Also, do remember that the scheme includes companies of whom you are a customer and you may therefore not receive useful information about new products or opportunities.
The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707.
and online at www.tpsonline.org.uk
Now this is of interest, been bugged by 'sales' calls yesterday and today
yesterday:
1. 'vehicle tracking' company trying to sell me tracking/logistic systemcut the rep short NO THANKS Im Not interested
2. Same bloody rep as before phones again asking for MD - THATS ME! what a to55er bluntly tell him to FO
3. Another sales Pitch - "I am phoning you from ***** Council" Me Interested (momantarily) "we are putting a brochure on road safety together on behalf of the council and there is an excellant opportunity for you to be a sponsor" -GOODBYE
4. Website promotion - available at ££££££ Me: "out of curiosity, where did you get my number?" "From your website"If you found me then potential customers can - Right GOODBYE
Today:
1. 3 seperate mobile phone companies trying to get me to swich contracts - :shout; GO AWAY
2. contract Cleaning Rep - would I like a competitive quote for cleaning -
3. we are building a web site/information site of approved contractors for ******* council and wish to list you under the followin catagories on the site and need to update contact info: name, tel no, fax, e-mail etc. Then try to tell you its gonna cost ££££ per year. My reply "no thanks, I have got all the council contracts that I want2 their reply "but you could have more" "I DONT WANT ANYMORE"
4. Another internet company offering me enhanced listings
5. and another, this time they are phoning to advise me that someone has attempted to register the following domains mycompanyname.org mycompanyname.biz and that they wanted to check that the registrant was legitimate and if not they could obtain them on my behalf at £180 each. My reply "if I wanted them I would go on Reg123 and buy it for £20 quid each"
Marcos maniac said:
THE TELEPHONE PREFERENCE SERVICE
To get rid of unwanted phone calls contact the Telephone Preference Service
Choosing the calls you want to receive
Fortunately most of the telephone calls you may be receiving are from people and companies you are happy to hear from; family, friends or organisations whose products and services may be of interest to you or whom you know as customers. Some of you, however, may decide that you do not want companies to telephone you at home unless you have asked them to do so. You will be interested to learn that it is possible to avoid these unwanted calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service. This is now a statutory-backed scheme which enables individuals to register their objection to receiving sales and marketing calls at home. Twenty eight days after an individual's telephone number is registered on this central file, it would be unlawful for any UK company to telephone them without permission.
The telephone numbers of individuals already registered with the voluntary Telephone Preference Service, which the new scheme replaces, will automatically be carried over to the new register.
As a result of new Regulations which came into force on 1 May 1999, the DMA was appointed by OFTEL (Office of Telecommunications) to run the new mandatory Telephone Preference Service.
However, it is the Data Protection Registrar who enforces the regulations and has the power to fine companies who continue to make unwanted calls to individuals who have registered with the scheme. It is your choice whether or not to receive communications by telephone. But before you apply you should consider carefully the fact that registering will prevent you from finding out about goods or services which might be of interest to you.
Also, do remember that the scheme includes companies of whom you are a customer and you may therefore not receive useful information about new products or opportunities.
The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707.
and online at www.tpsonline.org.uk
Now this is of interest, been bugged by 'sales' calls yesterday and today
yesterday:
1. 'vehicle tracking' company trying to sell me tracking/logistic system
2. Same bloody rep as before phones again asking for MD - THATS ME! what a to55er bluntly tell him to FO
3. Another sales Pitch - "I am phoning you from ***** Council" Me Interested (momantarily) "we are putting a brochure on road safety together on behalf of the council and there is an excellant opportunity for you to be a sponsor" -
4. Website promotion - available at ££££££ Me: "out of curiosity, where did you get my number?" "From your website"
Today:
1. 3 seperate mobile phone companies trying to get me to swich contracts - :shout; GO AWAY
2. contract Cleaning Rep - would I like a competitive quote for cleaning -
3. we are building a web site/information site of approved contractors for ******* council and wish to list you under the followin catagories on the site and need to update contact info: name, tel no, fax, e-mail etc. Then try to tell you its gonna cost ££££ per year. My reply "no thanks, I have got all the council contracts that I want2 their reply "but you could have more" "I DONT WANT ANYMORE"
4. Another internet company offering me enhanced listings
5. and another, this time they are phoning to advise me that someone has attempted to register the following domains mycompanyname.org mycompanyname.biz and that they wanted to check that the registrant was legitimate and if not they could obtain them on my behalf at £180 each. My reply "if I wanted them I would go on Reg123 and buy it for £20 quid each"
If being contacted at work is an issue there really isnt much you can do about it.
Company details are considered public domain information and do not have the same protection (in theory) as personal information.
One effective solution may be to implement a "no name" policy. Inform reception and switchboard staff that if the caller does not have a contact name then they cannot be transferred (other than to a sales department if relevant).
This is suprisingly effective at deterring direct cold-call telesales if its implemented properly.
Hi guys, looks like I'm not along in this then.
My phone is a Vodafone on a contract via the company I work for - no idea how it was purchased originally but I have had the number more than a couple of years. I wish these companies would pi$$ off and invent something useful to market rather than waste our time at our expense. Not giving them the satisfaction of a call back.
Thanks for all the useful info - interesting to hear that Theboymoon has shared in this experience so we both know it must be a load of cr@p.
My phone is a Vodafone on a contract via the company I work for - no idea how it was purchased originally but I have had the number more than a couple of years. I wish these companies would pi$$ off and invent something useful to market rather than waste our time at our expense. Not giving them the satisfaction of a call back.
Thanks for all the useful info - interesting to hear that Theboymoon has shared in this experience so we both know it must be a load of cr@p.
theboymoon said:
chris.mapey said: TUS 373 & Mr Moon, did you buy your phone from Phones 4u?
Chris - yeh, phone was bought from phones 4u....
The plot thickens!
Moonie
just got a message from Carphone wharehouse about upgrading my phone
i have never been in the place WTF did they get my number. Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff