Shields Up!: EU Cracks Down on Ringtone Scams
Section: Communications , Accessories , Cellphones , Computers , Security The European Union Consumer Commission has announced a crack down on sites pushing free ringtone scams and that often target kids and teens.? The crackdown covered all 27 EU countries plus Iceland and Norway and resulted 9 Italian companies being slammed with nearly $3 million in fines.? Of the 301 websites targeted, 54 were put out of business and more than 150 were made to change their advertising.? The commission said it instigated the crackdown after being flooded with complaints by consumers. The sites often featured cartoon characters and urged visitors to provide their cell phone numbers to get a free ringtone.? What they failed to reveal, or buried in fine print, was that once they had the number the owner would be signed up for a subscription and charged a monthly fee for further ringtones. These scams are often seen here in the US, both on the web and on TV.? The ads offer free ringtones (or wallpapers, horoscopes, games, etc).? All you have to do is type in your cell phone number or send a text message.? Then you get hit with all kinds of charges. Some services charge $5.99 a month and other a whopping $29.99 a month.? Getting the subscription dropped can be extremely difficult to impossible and your cell provider is often unable to do much. Mobile phones are a way of life for most of us, and we seldom go anywhere without them.? Scammers know this.? SMS spam is a particular problem because those not on an unlimited plan must pay for each message.? While it has not yet become a huge problem here, giving up your cell number to websites and in response to TV ads can open you up to a flood of it.? It’s important to guard your cell phone number as you would any other piece of personal info.? Don’t give it out to just anyone, and stick to legit sites like iTunes for ringtones and wallpapers or download some software and make your own.? Free offers often come with a steep price! Read [ PC Magazine ] Full Story ? | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell . | Comment on this Article ?
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Shields Up!: EU Cracks Down on Ringtone Scams