|
SMS.AC – An Internet Scam to the Extreme
(Funnily enough if you rearrange the letters and you get 'SCAMS')
There's a new spam n' scam going around, unfortunately unlike most spams that you receive, it really isn't that obvious - At least not to some people.
Before I get into the nitty gritty, I'm going to have a quick bitch about the fact that I find it unbelievable and slightly depressing, the number of people that still manage to trust 'internet businesses' which come out with 'freebies', and even funnier, some who still hold onto the belief that you can get something for nothing these days - and everybody can be a winner.
No, I'm sorry to break it too you, but the zero sum formula of economic gain exists for a reason. Somebody has to pay, and it's usually you.
Now while spam assassin quite happily nukes the hundreds of penis enlargement, Viagra, Ch3aP s0ftware and WORK AT HOME emails I receive a week - It hasn't managed to block the dozen or more 'From Somebody: Invitation and new email address' SMS.AC spam emails that I have been receiving.
So what's the deal?
Well quite simply SMS.AC is a scam, if you receive an email inviting you to join them, and you do (which requires your mobile number), it's over. What you should of done is just deleted the email, and sent the poor sucker who joined up and spammed your inbox, a link to here.
Put simply, this fraudulent 'internet media company' will deduct $3.00 from your mobile phone account for every 3 messages you receive through them. They will then send you an sms every day containing advertising so that you are automatically billed for $3.00 every 3 days*! The charges will come under "SMS Content" (Technically not an advertisement, but a 'Premium SMS').
Oh and by the way, while sending the odd SMS through this scam might be free - The receiver pays 55 cents*.
So what can you do?
Apart from growing older and if possible, slightly wiser - A first point of call would probably be a call to your mobile provider. The second is usually the ACCC, but the reality is they can't do anything, as the company is outside their jurisdiction (Read: Not Australian). Lastly you could try your luck sending the 'CANCEL' SMS Command to them - this costs money though.
So in summary, the criminals who started this are making more money than you could possibly imagine - the market of naive people is a big one, so you have to admire them in that respect. Well not really, but I digress.
For further information, have a read of:
* Extremely well obfuscated within the terms and conditions. You searched the website and found the charges page? Good for you - It's WRONG (Aka. Fraud).
| Response by John IB |
"I'm going to have a quick bitch about the fact that I find it unbelievable and slightly depressing about the number of people that still manage to trust 'internet businesses' which come out with 'freebies' "
Exert from forum member J. Smith's link page.
The reason people still get caught up in this type of business, namely SMS.ac, is because most of them are teenagers. They're a hell of a lot more trusting and gullible than you or I.
I signed up with SMS.ac using bogus information and nowhere did it say that you had to pay to receive an sms from them, though they were very up front about it being free to register. If you had a spare hour you could read their encyclopedia of terms and conditions.
Their actions are no different than taking lollies from a child or raiding their money boxes.
Forget about complaining to the companies involved, how about registering a complaint with the Telecommunications Minister. There is an election in Australia very soon and if enough people voice their concerns then maybe the laws can be changes so that Australian companies that support these leeches can be prosecuted.
The Shadow Federal Minister for Communications is:
Lyndsay Tanner www.lindsaytanner.com
The Federal Minister for Communications is:
Helen Coonan www.minister.dcita.gov.au/contact.html
|
| Smitty's anti-inviation |
Sick of all the SMS.AC invitations going around the internet, somebody with the nick 'Smitty' sent me this anti-invitation. With a bit of effort, it might be possible to get this one to traverse the entirety of the internet as well :)
Subject: Smitty's anti-invitation.
Guess what? You now have 1 friend that is fed up with the idiots at the most popular and stupid mobile community in the world!
At SMS.ac you can be scammed off your ass, break longstanding friendships, find that special 50 year old trucker to flirt with or exchange messages via the Web with millions of retards worldwide.
You have one (1) friend waiting for your help in blowing up the sms.ac headquarters!
Simply click the link below to see how you have been screwed, and how your phone bill is gonna go up bigtime.
http://www.unleadedonline.net/uo-243-1.html
Don't want to be invited by your friends?
Click on the link above to "block future invitations" from family and friends by enlightenment.
SCA.ms, Inc., 0777 Regents Road, Suite 911-432, San Diego, CA 90210 USA
This email is a parody of sms.ac invitations, and warning about Sms.ac which is a scam. It is not intended to be taken as a threat by any sms.ac personnel or members. |
|
|
