Consumer Warning: Mobile phone premium services

Be wary of your mobile spend

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Authority (AMTA) has issued a warning to consumers about premium mobile phone & SMS services.

Most premium services offer entertainment, news, games, competitions as well as other content such as ringtones, wallpapers and information services. They usually cost more than standard SMS messages and are often featured in magazine advertisements, on television and on the internet.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, warns it is crucial that consumers are fully aware of what they are signing up to; and that people should ensure that they check the fine print of any offer before signing up.

Some questions Chris advises you should always ask:

• How do you opt out or cancel the subscription?
• Is it a one-off cost or are you signing up to the ongoing cost of a subscription service?
• If it is a subscription service, is there a minimum term?
• How does the pricing work?
• Are you paying to receive calls and messages as well as send them?
• What is the total cost of the service?

More info:
AMTA: Consumer alert
AMTA: Premium content sending mixed messages

Other charges and billing problems

Of course, it’s not just these types of unexpected charges that are making the news these days.

We also have children accidentally running up exorbitant bills; call charges for above the cap limits - and the iPhone dramas of 300 page bills, $4,954 bills; unexpected data charges for what you thought was “free” or capped net surfing - let alone the roaming charges fiasco. You only need to see how many videos are on YouTube about it.

The AMTA and ACMA websites have heaps of information to help you control your spending, how to avoid “surprises” and other helpful tips.

Of course, keeping an eye on your own bills online is always a very handy tip for your mobile phone spend.

Aside of course from avoiding late night tv ads