Premium SMS:  Often, an unwanted service at a premium price.

A consumer should be well aware when they have signed up to a service that can cost them anywhere between 55 cents to six dollars per received message. These expensive SMS’s can come through at least once or twice a month. They’re easy to spot on your bill because if you’re on a cap, they’re not included in your monthly cap allowance ('even on unlimited plans'.)

I don’t remember signing up to this?

Premium SMS services often target consumers who do not know what they have signed up to. Registering has been made all too easy – you won’t even know you’ve done it. All you have to do is respond to a strange text, or sign up to get a 'free' ringtone on a website. These offers tend to have more fine print than quality service.

So how do I stay away from these “premium” services?

• Don’t respond to text messages from an unknown sender.

• Be aware of who you are providing personal details to, even if it’s just your mobile number.

• Read the fine print – ever heard the saying 'If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is?' Often the details you care about most are in the last place you’d instinctively look. There may be more interesting things to read than three pages of terms and conditions, but you’d probably prefer to read this than a three or four figure total on your bill. Check to see if you are allowing the company who collects your details to provide them to third party companies.

• Verify the costs. Often these costs are ongoing, and they all add up. If something is unclear, or if it doesn’t seem right to you, don’t provide any of your details.
I’ve already signed up! How do I stop these messages and charges?

I've already signed up! How do I stop these messages and charges?

• The first thing you can do when you receive a premium SMS is to reply with a message that says, ‘Stop.’

• If you’re still receiving the messages after replying with, ‘Stop,’ you can locate the service provider by checking if the sent number is listed here (http://www.19sms.com.au/) and call their customer service number to unsubscribe.

• If you are still having issues, it is worth contacting your plan provider who may be able to act on your behalf, and determine what the problem is. We cannot guarantee that your plan provider will be able to waive any charges. Remember, it is generally a third party who is billing you with these costs.

Barring Premium SMS:

Fortunately from July 1st 2010, The Australian Consumer and Media Authority have forced telecommunications providers to present us with an option to bar all premium services from our mobiles. This will be particularly handy for children with mobiles who may not know exactly what they are signing on to.