Premium number Regulations...?

[robert_harper_2000]

Just wondering are their regulations on telephone numbers?
ie letters with 090 need to have the per min billing
website numbers

[buzby]

Advertising is supposed to show the cost, but if they don't and you complain to OFCOM, they tell the number provider to ask their client to make sure they do! It's a dreadful state of affairs.

[snu]

OFCOM isn't responsible for regulating premium rate numbers. You should contact ICSTIS.

[buzby]

Actually, they are. OFCOM have overall responsibility for all communications, ICSTIS, an industry-funded body deals with disputes and regulation of content, NOT the charges for number blocks or the criteria for which the numbers are used.

[robert_harper_2000]

Well complained to Megabus as it declined both of my credit cards which caused my a great deal of stress when I ended up in Gloucester ( FH Case ) which I didn't need. They sent a letter explaining wasn't their problem and if I had anything else to add to phone them on 090 sth doesn't mention but I thought that was sth like £1.50 / minute.
Slightly underhand I thought?

[buzby]

To be fair to Megabus, they don't process cards themselves, they use WorldPay,owned by the RBS. They offer a local rate support service for customers with difficulties, and is on their website. Complaining to Megabus would be pointless, as they only process your sale when WorldPay gives you both a reference code.

I had a similar problem that went through WorldPay and my card was rejected despite it being fine for everything else (and my card was an RBS one) it turned out to be an error caused by no Maestro Issue number. At the time I should have entered 0 in this box instead of leaving it blank. They fixed it to allow either after my complaint.

[robert_harper_2000]

Well I was annoyed at the time but I do understand that now. I feel it is unwarranted that the only contact they leave you on the letter is a 090 number

[snu]

Feel free to take your business elsewhere...

[robert_harper_2000]

Don't worry I have, however I dofeel sorry for people who don't realise the number is a premium.

[goodwill]

The whole premium rate industry is a revenue sharing criminal disgrace. The regulators Ofcom and Icstis should be horse whipped.

Why the hell are they letting companies use '09' premium rate numbers that were intended to be used for the payment of crap like tarot readings and chat lines?

Originally Posted by robert_harper_2000

and if I had anything else to add to phone them on 090 sth doesn't mention but I thought that was sth like £1.50 / minute.
Slightly underhand I thought?

and yes, strictly speaking they should have informed you in the letter the price rate of the call.

[buzby]

Originally Posted by goodwill

The whole premium rate industry is a revenue sharing criminal disgrace. The regulators Ofcom and Icstis should be horse whipped.

WHEN the idea was first discussed in a 'consultation paper' by OFTEL, I objected saying that removing control of telephone charging from the customer to any old third party would case problems. They responses on two counts, saying that; (1) It was being done elsewhere and if it was not allowed they could be accused of being anti-competitive. (2) That as only licenced telcos could offer Premium Rate numbers, they would act responsibly and ensure fair play.

All this ignored the fact that third-party resellers would become involved and along with this and reverse-charge mobile SMS, the matter has just spiralled out of control.

[bazak1]

reverse charged sms. what a rip off. there must be literally hundreds of thousands of parents out there hating the fact that their children have sent for one ringtone etc, not reading the small print ( which obviously children dont ) and had their balance wiped out.

why are these companies not regulated better and why isnt the whole telecom industry fairer to the user.

[buzby]

OFCOM has decreed the industry should be self-regulating as far as possible, and firms get to do what they want to do unless there is a public outcry. Unfortunately, with reverse-charge SMS, the outcry hasn;t been loud enough, and it is accepted that consumers gullible enough to give unrestricted access to their finances by using DD, won't care a jot if bills can be run up without them having control of their charges.