Entering SMS competitions can be rewarding, after all you may win a prize. But sometimes, you may realise only too late after you have received a bill that you have been charged for "content" or a "subscription" that you didn't realise you subscribed to in the first place.
I have received a number of emails lately asking how to unsubscribe from such competitions/subscription clubs. Here are a list of Do's and Dont's so you can avoid incurring unwanted costs. There are available on the Victorian Consumer Affairs website.
Personalising or customising mobile phones is a big deal. We can download ringtones, wallpapers, logos, and even songs or video, and turn phone handsets into pocket-sized fashion statements or mini music machines, or enter Trivia Games.
But consumers should be careful when listening to or reading advertisements or websites offering downloads such as ringtones.
Here are a few checks you can make before you SMS. Let them become second nature:
Wise up or ring off!
DO find out whether your phone handset is a model that is able to get that latest ringtone or wallpaper
DO check to see what the cost of each download is
DO read carefully to see whether you are getting a one-off download or signing up to a subscription service or club
DO find out before you subscribe what you will have to do to stop the service
DO write down and keep the details of the unsubscribe information and the providers customer service telephone number
DO NOT sign up if you are not sure what the costs are.
Whenever you are answering a small quiz, if you have to put in your mobile phone number then always be wary and PLEASE, check the terms and conditions. Scroll down the bottom of the page. The Terms and Conditions to content provided by such services like Yoot, My Pengo and Head2Head Trivia are clearly displayed, along with the charges for their service. Make a note of how to unsubscribe, usually by replying STOP in capital letters to a certain number. If you don't want to incur any charges, then don't enter ANY competitions requiring your mobile phone number unless you are fully aware of why your number is needed in the first place.
