Worcestershire MEP latest to fall victim to phone scam
4:18pm Monday 13th August 2007
AN MEP is warning people in Worcestershire to beware of a new text message scam after she became a victim herself.
Liz Lynne, the Liberal Democrat MEP for Worcestershire, says she was conned out of £250 by the scam.
The scam involves text messages being billed to mobile phone users in the UK by their service provider.
Users sign up to what purports to be a free service, often to send a limited number of text messages free from the web. But they are later billed at extortionate rates for a series of useless' incoming messages.
Confirming a mobile number with the website also acts as a trigger to receive the messages which can cost up to 50 pence a time.
Ms Lynne said: "I am the latest victim with a bill in my monthly account from Orange of over £250 for 'multi media messages' originating from an American company called SMS.ac which purported to provide allegedly free web to text message services."
She is refusing to pay part of her bill and has asked Orange to investigate, but their initial position is that they have already paid these charges to SMS.ac and are recovering their costs from her.
She says SMS.ac have so far refused to refund the charges.
Natalie Graham, advice officer with Worcestershire Trading Standards, said:" People should be extremely cautious when agreeing to services from abroad as the legislation falls outside Trading Standards jurisdiction and therefore cannot be enforced.
"People should also be very careful when signing up to any free' offer as there are often strings attached.
"We would advise people not to respond to any message where you are asked for personal details or if there is doubt about its origin.
"If you have received or are receiving unwanted premium rate text messages that originate from the UK replying with the word 'STOP' should prevent further contact from that source.
"However, where people have unresolved problems with premium rate numbers for both text and phone they can log a complaint with ICSTIS - the premium rate services regulator."
Ms Lynne is now compiling a list of people who have suffered scam text messages.
Contact her on lizlynne@cix.co.uk to help her compile the list.