OT: warning about 194040 scam

> Anyway, just thought I'd let some people know. BTW, if anyone want to tell
> me how stupid I am and how smart they are because they would never enter a
> "competition" like this don't bother, I'm not interested. I never imagined
> something that is advertised on the major networks would be so dodgy. I
> also never imagined that it was possible for a company to charge me for
> sending an SMS to me. If anyone's wondering how they can do that
> apparently it's in the fine print on the tele and when you first send them
> a message you are agreeing to subscribe to a paid service.

Yes, an interesting business tactic. Flash up what amounts to a legal
contract on TV aimed at children designed purely to suck them into paying
for way more than they bargained for. I can't beleive it's a legal business
practice.
In any case it's highly unethical and TV and Music industries need a big
kick up the arse for allowing it.

> Anyway, just thought I'd let some people know. BTW, if anyone want to tell
> me how stupid I am and how smart they are because they would never enter a
> "competition" like this don't bother, I'm not interested. I never imagined
> something that is advertised on the major networks would be so dodgy. I
> also never imagined that it was possible for a company to charge me for
> sending an SMS to me. If anyone's wondering how they can do that
> apparently it's in the fine print on the tele and when you first send them
> a message you are agreeing to subscribe to a paid service.

Yes, an interesting business tactic. Flash up what amounts to a legal
contract on TV aimed at children designed purely to suck them into paying
for way more than they bargained for. I can't beleive it's a legal business
practice.
In any case it's highly unethical and TV and Music industries need a big
kick up the arse for allowing it.

"Spankalogical Protocol" <spank@protocol.com> wrote in message
news:e3cvt6$t8h$1@news.datemas.de...
> That is correct. It's very fine print, but it is there.

Apparently you used to need a high def LCD otherwise the fine print was cut
off, but they got into some shit over that one.

> Betcha they catch a lot of kids out.

Yep, I did a bit of a google and it was mainly kids complaining about their
prepaid account suddenly being empty.

Michael

"Spankalogical Protocol" <spank@protocol.com> wrote in message
news:e3cvt6$t8h$1@news.datemas.de...
> That is correct. It's very fine print, but it is there.

Apparently you used to need a high def LCD otherwise the fine print was cut
off, but they got into some shit over that one.

> Betcha they catch a lot of kids out.

Yep, I did a bit of a google and it was mainly kids complaining about their
prepaid account suddenly being empty.

Michael

"Spankalogical Protocol" <spank@protocol.com> wrote in message
news:e3cvt6$t8h$1@news.datemas.de...
> That is correct. It's very fine print, but it is there.

Apparently you used to need a high def LCD otherwise the fine print was cut
off, but they got into some shit over that one.

> Betcha they catch a lot of kids out.

Yep, I did a bit of a google and it was mainly kids complaining about their
prepaid account suddenly being empty.

Michael

"Uncle Bully" <wakeupcall@optushome.com.au.REMOVE> wrote in message
news:445a0390$0$4539
> Yes, an interesting business tactic. Flash up what amounts to a legal
> contract on TV aimed at children designed purely to suck them into paying
> for way more than they bargained for. I can't beleive it's a legal
> business practice.
> In any case it's highly unethical and TV and Music industries need a big
> kick up the arse for allowing it.

That's the other thing I was going to mention, it seems to be highly
associated with big brother and australian idol. I'm not 100% certain about
BB but the message today definately mentioned aus idol.

Michael

"Uncle Bully" <wakeupcall@optushome.com.au.REMOVE> wrote in message
news:445a0390$0$4539
> Yes, an interesting business tactic. Flash up what amounts to a legal
> contract on TV aimed at children designed purely to suck them into paying
> for way more than they bargained for. I can't beleive it's a legal
> business practice.
> In any case it's highly unethical and TV and Music industries need a big
> kick up the arse for allowing it.

That's the other thing I was going to mention, it seems to be highly
associated with big brother and australian idol. I'm not 100% certain about
BB but the message today definately mentioned aus idol.

Michael

"Uncle Bully" <wakeupcall@optushome.com.au.REMOVE> wrote in message
news:445a0390$0$4539
> Yes, an interesting business tactic. Flash up what amounts to a legal
> contract on TV aimed at children designed purely to suck them into paying
> for way more than they bargained for. I can't beleive it's a legal
> business practice.
> In any case it's highly unethical and TV and Music industries need a big
> kick up the arse for allowing it.

That's the other thing I was going to mention, it seems to be highly
associated with big brother and australian idol. I'm not 100% certain about
BB but the message today definately mentioned aus idol.

Michael

On Thu, 4 May 2006 23:34:12 +1000, "Spankalogical Protocol"
<spank@protocol.com> wrote:

>
>"Michael C" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
>news:4459f89b$0$7532$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> never imagined that it was possible for a company to charge me for sending
>> an SMS to me. If anyone's wondering how they can do that apparently it's
>in
>> the fine print on the tele and when you first send them a message you are
>> agreeing to subscribe to a paid service.
>>
>
>That is correct. It's very fine print, but it is there.
>
>Betcha they catch a lot of kids out.
>
>

Apparently if you call their helpline and complain in writing, stating
that the victim was a child, they will refund all moneys immediately
in order to avoid a precedent-setting legal case against them.
They are operating on a fine line and don't mind refunding some
moneys to keep going...
-Andrew M

On Thu, 4 May 2006 23:34:12 +1000, "Spankalogical Protocol"
<spank@protocol.com> wrote:

>
>"Michael C" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
>news:4459f89b$0$7532$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> never imagined that it was possible for a company to charge me for sending
>> an SMS to me. If anyone's wondering how they can do that apparently it's
>in
>> the fine print on the tele and when you first send them a message you are
>> agreeing to subscribe to a paid service.
>>
>
>That is correct. It's very fine print, but it is there.
>
>Betcha they catch a lot of kids out.
>
>

Apparently if you call their helpline and complain in writing, stating
that the victim was a child, they will refund all moneys immediately
in order to avoid a precedent-setting legal case against them.
They are operating on a fine line and don't mind refunding some
moneys to keep going...
-Andrew M