Low Cost Cars (Case reference: 02187)

Case Number02187
Published date30 March 2011
Year2011
Adjudicated PartyLow Cost Cars
Procedure TypeTrack 2 (Phone-Paid Services Authority)
THE CODE COMPLIANCE PANEL OF PHONEPAYPLUS
TRIBUNAL DECISION
Thursday 17 MARCH 2011 TRIBUNAL SITTING No. 73/ CASE 1
CASE REFERENCE: 853856
Service provider: Mr Fabio Goncalo Ferraz Ricardo Bernando
trading as Low Cost Cars’, Portugal
Information provider: N/A
Type of service: Classified section on the ‘Exchange and Mart’
website, Local press
Service title: ‘Articles for Sale’
Service number: 09830930040 and all other or shortcodes in relation
to this service.
Cost: £1 per minute
Network operator: Mediatel Limited
Number of complainants: 2
THIS CASE WAS BROUGHT AGAINST THE SERVICE PROVIDER
UNDER PARAGRAPH 8.5 OF THE CODE
BACKGROUND
PhonepayPlus received two complaints in relation to a service called ‘Articles for Sale’ which
was promoted in the classified section of a ‘buy and sell’ website. Consumers were directed
to call a ‘0203’ geographical number that was presented on various advertisements for
popular electronic gadgets, such as an ‘Apple Macbook’. On calling the ‘0203’ number,
consumers heard a recorded telephone message that stated as follows:
‘Unfortunately I am away for now but you can get me on 0 9 8 3 0 9 3 0 0 4 0. Get a pen, I
repeat 0 9 8 3 0 9 3 0 0 4 0”
On calling this premium rate number, a consumer would have incurred a cost of £1 per
minute. The Executive was concerned as to the potential misleading nature of this recorded
message.
Upon investigating the service further, the Executive was also concerned that the recorded
message did not contain sufficient contact information and that the promotional material did
not make consumers sufficiently aware of the charge that would be incurred on calling the
‘09’ number.
Monitoring
The Executive called the ‘0983’ premium rate number and the person who answered stated
to be on an important call and requested that the Executive call back. It noted that there was
no mention of pricing at this time.
The Executive also noted that the ‘0203’ number and the ‘0983’ number has since been
disconnected.
The Executive found that the ‘0983’ number was promoted on the classified section of the
classified website ‘wrightads.com’.

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT