So few months ago i started getting these calls that would ring for 2 rings and stop or if you picked them up they disconnected right away. The catch was whey were 09** numbers at uber £££ per min.
Reported their ass and got this email tonight:
pwned them for 15k. Would advise anyone who is hassled by premium numbers to do the same.
cheers
Tam
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to advise you of the outcome of your complaint in respect of the above premium rate service.
As you may be aware, ICSTIS supervises both the content and advertising for premium rate services. ICSTIS develops and applies a Code of Practice (“the Code”) to the companies which operate premium rate services (service providers). These companies are bound by their contract with the network operators to comply with the requirements of this Code.
In response to your complaint about this service the Secretariat commenced an investigation.
Investigation
The Secretariat received complaints regarding an unsolicited missed call coming from a premium rate number to mobile phone recipients. Complainants have reported receiving a call from 09011811000 which rang one or two times before stopping and appeared as a missed call on the mobile phone. Complainants who tried to answer the call stated the call terminated when they tried to do so. Complainants who called the premium rate number back stated that it was a recorded message stating “You have reached e-mail any phone. You have one new message” and that the message was promoting a fitness service.
Before considering the alleged breaches of the Code, the Panel considered the matter of whether 1RT could be considered to be the service provider in this instance. Following legal advice, the Panel concluded the person named by 1RT Group ltd as the service provider did not fall under the definition of a ‘service provider’ as he was not ‘engaged in the provision of premium rate services’ and that this person was therefore the information provider.
The Panel was satisfied that 1RT Group Ltd was engaged in and responsible for the provision of premium rate services and therefore concluded that, under the Code, 1RT Group Ltd was the service provider.
On investigation, the service and promotion appeared to raise issues concerning being misleading, no address information and being inappropriate.
This suggested that the service may be in breach of the ICSTIS Code of Practice.
Adjudication
The case subsequently went before the ICSTIS Panel for adjudication and its decision was that the service was in breach of the ICSTIS Code of Practice for the reasons stated above.
Due to the seriousness of the breaches the Committee imposed the following sanctions:
Formal Reprimand
£15,000 fine
Bar on the service and the provision of any ‘missed call’ promotion for 2 years, or until it could be demonstrated to be compliant, whichever is the longer
Refund claims
Should you wish to obtain a refund in respect of the cost of any calls you have incurred to the service you will need to write directly to the service provider setting out your case and providing them with a copy of your phone bill (highlighting the relevant premium rate number). Your claim should also include VAT on the actual calls made to the service. The service provider’s details are as follows:
Service provider: 1RT Group Ltd
Address: 9 Perseverence Works
Kingsland Road
London
E2 8DD
E-mail: jody@1rt.co.uk
Contact: Jody Rhodes
Please note however that ICSTIS cannot assist in making claims for refunds.
Yours sincerely
Gary Liew
Investigations case officer
020 7940 7434
gliew@icstis.org.uk
ICSTIS
Clove Building
4 Maguire Street
London SE1 2NQ
www.icstis.org.uk
Reported their ass and got this email tonight:
pwned them for 15k. Would advise anyone who is hassled by premium numbers to do the same.
cheers
Tam
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to advise you of the outcome of your complaint in respect of the above premium rate service.
As you may be aware, ICSTIS supervises both the content and advertising for premium rate services. ICSTIS develops and applies a Code of Practice (“the Code”) to the companies which operate premium rate services (service providers). These companies are bound by their contract with the network operators to comply with the requirements of this Code.
In response to your complaint about this service the Secretariat commenced an investigation.
Investigation
The Secretariat received complaints regarding an unsolicited missed call coming from a premium rate number to mobile phone recipients. Complainants have reported receiving a call from 09011811000 which rang one or two times before stopping and appeared as a missed call on the mobile phone. Complainants who tried to answer the call stated the call terminated when they tried to do so. Complainants who called the premium rate number back stated that it was a recorded message stating “You have reached e-mail any phone. You have one new message” and that the message was promoting a fitness service.
Before considering the alleged breaches of the Code, the Panel considered the matter of whether 1RT could be considered to be the service provider in this instance. Following legal advice, the Panel concluded the person named by 1RT Group ltd as the service provider did not fall under the definition of a ‘service provider’ as he was not ‘engaged in the provision of premium rate services’ and that this person was therefore the information provider.
The Panel was satisfied that 1RT Group Ltd was engaged in and responsible for the provision of premium rate services and therefore concluded that, under the Code, 1RT Group Ltd was the service provider.
On investigation, the service and promotion appeared to raise issues concerning being misleading, no address information and being inappropriate.
This suggested that the service may be in breach of the ICSTIS Code of Practice.
Adjudication
The case subsequently went before the ICSTIS Panel for adjudication and its decision was that the service was in breach of the ICSTIS Code of Practice for the reasons stated above.
Due to the seriousness of the breaches the Committee imposed the following sanctions:
Formal Reprimand
£15,000 fine
Bar on the service and the provision of any ‘missed call’ promotion for 2 years, or until it could be demonstrated to be compliant, whichever is the longer
Refund claims
Should you wish to obtain a refund in respect of the cost of any calls you have incurred to the service you will need to write directly to the service provider setting out your case and providing them with a copy of your phone bill (highlighting the relevant premium rate number). Your claim should also include VAT on the actual calls made to the service. The service provider’s details are as follows:
Service provider: 1RT Group Ltd
Address: 9 Perseverence Works
Kingsland Road
London
E2 8DD
E-mail: jody@1rt.co.uk
Contact: Jody Rhodes
Please note however that ICSTIS cannot assist in making claims for refunds.
Yours sincerely
Gary Liew
Investigations case officer
020 7940 7434
gliew@icstis.org.uk
ICSTIS
Clove Building
4 Maguire Street
London SE1 2NQ
www.icstis.org.uk
