Peter Jones t/a Webserve CMS (Case reference: 183017)
| Published date | 30 March 2021 |
| Case Number | 183017 |
| Adjudicated Party | Peter Jones t/a Webserve CMS |
| Procedure Type | Track 2 (Phone-Paid Services Authority) |
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Tribunal meeting number 278
Case reference: 183017
Level 2 provider: Peter Jones t/a Webserve CMS
Type of service: Information, Connection and/or Signposting Service (ICSS)
Network operator: Telecoms World Limited
This case was brought against the Level 2 provider under Paragraph 4.5 of the 14th Edition of
the Code of Practice (“the Code”).
Background
The case concerned an Information, Connection and/or Signposting Service (“ICSS”) which
operated on the number range 0843 455 number range (“the Service”).
The Level 2 provider for the Service was a sole trader, Peter Jones who traded as Webserve
CMS (“the Level 2 provider”). The Network operator was Telecoms World Limited.
The Service was first registered on the Executive’s registration scheme on 31 January 2019
and the Level 2 provider became responsible for the Service on 2 May 2019. The Level 2
provider registered five trading names with the Executive: “Contact Phone Numbers UK”,
“Quick Number”, “Contact Universal Credit”, “Gov Benefits” and “Correct Contacts”. On 30
December 2020, the provider updated “Correct Contacts” to “Runcorn Bridge Tolls”.
Initially, the Service was provided by the registered company Webserve CMS Limited
(Companies House registration number 07608033). The registered director of the company
was Peter Jones. However, on 2 May 2019, acting as a sole trader Peter Jones took on the
obligations of Webserve CMS Limited and the company dissolved from the company registry
on 28 May 2019. Later, on 29 January 2020, the Executive’s Registration Scheme was updated
to state the Service was provided by the Level 2 provider. The Executive notes the bank
account, phone numbers and address for the Level 2 provider remained the same as Webserve
CMS Limited.
The investigation
During the course of the investigation, the Level 2 provider confirmed that the name of the
Service was “Telephone directory service, Blogs”.
The Service met the definition of a Type 1 ICSS service. The ICSS Guidance defines a Type 1
ICSS service as:
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“‘Call connection’ services. Type 1 services offer connectio n to a small number of organisations, rather
than the full range that a national Directory Enquiry (D Q) service provides. In some cases, Type 1
services may, in addition to connection, offer the number th e consumer is seeking.”
The service was currently live and promoting as of the date that the Tribunal considered the
case. The Level 2 provider stated that the Service cost 7 pence per minute plus phone
company’s access charges.
The Network Operator and Level 2 provider supplied a list of 175 premium rate numbers
which were used by the Service. Out of the 175 premium rate numbers supplied, 22 connected
to helplines for government benefit organisations. These included:
• Universal Credit
• Budgeting Loans
• Jobseekers’ Allowance
• Child Maintenance Service
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Disabled Students’ Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Employment and Support Allowance
The Service also provided connections to well-known organisations in banking, finance,
gambling, delivery, holiday, shopping, utilities and more.
The Level 2 confirmed that the Service was promoted on the following domains:
• Contactphonenumbersuk.com
• Govbenefits.uk
• Contactuniversalcredit.co.uk
• familyconcerns.net
• telephonelists.com
As part of the investigation, the Executive monitored the Service on a number of occasions.
The “Govbenefits” domain was first monitored on 19 December 2019 using a mobile phone
and was again monitored on 20 January 2020.
Telephone calls were made to 0843 455 0031 on 19 December 2019 and on 20 January 2020.
Additional calls were made to 0843 455 0092 and 0843 4550035 on 20 January 2020.
On 22 June 2020 the Executive carried out further monitoring of the Service on a mobile
telephone. On 23 June 2020 a screenshot was taken of the Service from a desktop PC and
further monitoring was undertaken using a mobile telephone of the
“Contactuniversalcredit.co.uk” domain. Further monitoring of the Service took place on 17-18
September 2020.
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