Spammers Find Mobile Targets
The Age
Friday January 6, 2006
CONSUMERS are being fooled into paying for the annoying calls generated by telemarketers, as mobile phones become the latest target for spam mail.
The scheme, which costs the spammers next to nothing, starts with a missed call to a mobile. The number is either a Melbourne (8558 1444) or Sydney (8219 0500) number which prompts recipients to return the call before realising it is unsolicited spam mail. Unsuspecting people who call the number back are greeted with a recorded message from DC Marketing - complete with upbeat background music - telling them they have been "selected to collect an amazing gift with a value of at least $40". All they have to do is call the 190 number - at a cost of almost $3 a minute or more from mobiles - to get their individual winner's code and also be in the running for up to $10,000. "With your call, you are already a winner," the message announces. "A gift worth $40 is already waiting for you. And that's not all. You may be the one who collects up to $10,000 or one of the other dream prizes to be given away."There is no clue as to what the "gift" is. Only once the 190 number is called do consumers find out the gift is a collection of ringtones designed to drum up business for the company, vrpan.com.The catch comes after the free ringtones have arrived when consumers need to opt out or face an on-going subscription for ringtones costing $4 a week.Consumer Affairs minister Marsha Thomson said Consumer Affairs Victoria regularly received complaints from people concerned about charges for ringtone downloads and other mobile phone accessories."Unfortunately, mobile phone services are pulling a growing proportion of young people into debt at an early age," she said. "Consumers need to be aware of the high costs associated with 190 numbers and mobile ringtones."The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also warned consumers not to give bank or other personal details over the phone and to check the true cost of the competition, as winning a prize may not compensate for a high phone bill. According to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, DC Marketing is a British-based company with offices in Birmingham and a post office box address in Spit Junction, NSW.LINK www.consumer.vic.gov.au
© 2006 The Age
