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Everything About The Auto-Subscription Saga in M1, Singtel & Starhub

2018-02-27 , 3:55 pm

Tell me, are you someone who just pay off your monthly handphone bill without even seeing the letter?

Or maybe, you’re someone who’s content to let text messages build up in your inbox without going through it because most of the texts are spam messages.

If you’re someone like that, it might be a good idea to check your SMS inbox and bill carefully from now on.

Why? Three words: Scam, auto-subscription and billing.

Many people have come forward saying they’re the victims of such scams.

Here’s what you need to know so you won’t become a victim too.

Singtel users complained about paying for mobile services they didn’t use

On 25 Feb 2018, Straits Times reported that Singtel users are paying for subscriptions to mobile services they’ve not signed up for.

One such user, Information technology consultant Alexander Lim said that he ignored the messages and subsequent renewal messages as he thought they were spam messages.

Then he received his bill.

He was charged an additional S$9.98 for his “subscription” to Unlimited Gamez.

And he’s not the only one.

Project manager Moshhoor Rahman showed Straits Times the ten messages his wife received from 5 different mobile content provider since 1 Feb.

All the messages indicate that the charges will be billed to her Singtel account.

Straits Times attempted to call the various hotlines but no one answered the phone.

Users of M1 and Starhub are not spared either

A post on the EDMW forum revealed that an M1 user was unknowingly subscribed to a service by Gameasy in Sep 2017.

A few M1 users also spoke about their own experiences.

Even as recent as 20 February.

And Starhub users reported experiencing the same things

There’s even a thread dedicated to the Gameasy scam on the Starhub community page.

So what can you do if you’re subscribed automatically?

What if you are subscribed to the service already?

Users who were unknowingly subscribed to these services like Gameasy, Unlimited Game Junction and other PRS find themselves unable to unsubscribe.

They were afraid to press on any links in case the messages are scams.

And others kept getting re-subscribed after unsubscribing.

Here’s what you can do.

Activate the free service provided by all telcos to block your phone from accessing chargeable 3rd party content

Every telco now provide a free service that helps you to “opt-out” from the subscription.

Singtel users

Dial *BLOCK (*25625) to sign up for the service or click here to sign up online through the Singtel app.

M1 users

Visit any M1 Shop/Customer Service Centre to sign up for the service, or apply though this link.

Starhub users

Yours is a bit difficult.

To activate 3rd Party PRS Barring only, SMS to 6757
To activate full PRS Barring (including Starhub services), SMS and send to 6757.

More information about Starhub PRS blocker can be found here.

Don’t worry, this situation isn’t here to stay…

…hopefully. (Because such scams have been around for a long time.)

Singtel has already promised to investigate the issue thoroughly.

The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) is also very invested in the issue, saying that content providers have to comply with the Premium Rate Service (PRS) Code:

Content providers cannot charge consumers for unsolicited services (that are not asked for)
Clear and complete information must be given upfront by content providers
Consumers must be able to unsubscribe anytime they wish to.

IMDA pledged to take enforcement action against anyone who violates the PRS code.

These range from a simple warning to fines, and even removal of licenses.

So there you go, the moment you spot something amiss, better call up your telco and find out what’s going on.

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This article was first published on goodyfeed.com