My Life With IT

After looking at my statistics counter, I don’t know if I ought to be more careful in the words that I’m using.

invisible beard of contemplation answers - Ok, so what’s with the beard?

erica scott’s birthday spanking - Erm, spanking on a birthday?

mispronounce ask arse - Why is there a need to ask the arse?

dating site lovesan marino - OMG, when did this become a dating site?

glomobi - This is the tops. Obviously a lot are being cheated.

What a start to the new year.

Apparently, this is not called a fraud after investigations. Thanks, now I have to go the Small Claims Tribunal which will take up eons to resolve the SGD10. Below is what I have emailed and the reply by them. My take on them in colour.

Upon calling Glomobi (6477 9155), I encountered a voicemail and there is no way to get to talk to someone regarding the issue, what is the next recourse I can take?

Ans: We would like to clarify the recently introduced Premium Rate Service (PRS) Code requires all PRS service provider to maintain a local customer service hotline and shall respond to all enquires, complaints and disputes lodged. In the event if you are unable to speak to their customer officer, we would suggest that you leave a voice message for their customer service officer to return your call. In the event if you do not receive any return call from the customer service officer even after leaving a voice message, you can always contact your mobile service provider for assistance. Please let us know if you encounter problems with the above approach.

The voicemail was clearly for subscription and unsubscription only, so what the heck can I do? Such fraudulent companies out to cheat people’s money don’t care about whether you found them cheating or not. And they won’t even entertain you.

With a misleading advertisement that did not state the terms and conditions in fine print while flashing on the television, the company has committed a unfair practice. What can be done about this?

Ans: We have investigated and determined that the Glomobi service is provided by Ericsson IPX. In this instance, IDA has reviewed the TV advertisement in question and notes that the TV advertisement did state that each SMS message sent to the end user would be chargeable at $2. We would advise consumers to always read the terms and conditions of a service carefully before subscribing to the service.

Ya, and the terms and conditions are so tiny. I can’t afford a cinema sized screen, you know? And Ericsson has just tarnished the reputation of Sony Ericsson IMO.

The choice to stop the paid messages were only given after 5 messages, equivalent to the chance to purchase the Wii at $9, what can be done about this?

Ans: In this case, the TV advertisment has stated the procedure and keyword for service unsubscription, which is “Stop Low”. IDA has required Ericsson IPX to immediately cease the provision of the chargeable service once the end user has sent in the correct unsubscription keyword command.

As said, the terms and other ways to unsubscribe were tiny.

As M1 is unable to resolve this issue, what are the steps I can take for this case?

Ans: Please note that M1 is only the billing agent for Ericsson IPX, and therefore may not be in the position to determine whether the advertisement is misleading.

And who was it who told me in the first part to call my mobile service provider?

The advertisement stated that it was a chance to buy the Wii and not win a Wii. Has the company committed a fraud in this case based on the Code of practice found here?

Ans: We note the TV advertisement stated clearly that this is a quiz service, where the fastest user who accumulates the highest points by answering questions sent by the provider, will obtain the chance to buy the Wii at a reduced price of $9. Since the conditions are stated clearly, we have no reason to find that there is a breach of our Code.

The commentor said “SMS to 77887 to answer a simple question to have the chance to buy.” However, the initial SMS was to buy but subsequent SMS were to win. It is obviously a case of misleading and fraud!

I do not wished to pay for the service which I have found to be misleading. What can be done about this?

Ans: In this case, we do not believe that there is a breach of the PRS Code as this is not a case of charges for unsolicited services and the major price terms and conditions have been indicated. Going forward, if the dispute remains unresolved, you are advised to refer your case to the Small Claims Tribunal or to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) for assistance, as they are the appropriate bodies to resolve individual consumer billing disputes.

Ah yes, thanks, ok? I thought you were the largest body of authority to call the big shots.

Moral of this story? Don’t depend on them to help you resolve the issue as they have no intentions to help you resolve it. It takes 3 trays of reports to be submitted, so Lord help us all. Glomobi, you are still a big fat fraud to me.

For those who wish to watch the actual advertisement, please go here. Please note that at this point, I am seriously unhappy with the reply and that is why this post is here. It may or may not be removed in future depending on the circumstances.

Anyone seeking claims should go to Small Claims Tribunal or CASE. Not me. I am just voicing out my experience here.

Update: Have uploaded on Youtube.

Misleading advertisements don’t work very well. Proclaimed to get the chance to buy something after answering an SMS correct but in fact, it doesn’t work that way. You actually get charged for every SMS received. The thing is that you are automatically subscribed to an SMS per day unless you answer more SMS received that makes you the unsuspecting subscriber and still get more charges for each message received.

Screw Glomobi. When I didn’t reply, it means you don’t have to send me any more SMS but you did it so happily because I am charged for 5 unwanted SMS from you. Each SMS cost me $2. You have now earned $10 from me. The option to stop the SMS was only given today and not during the initial part. So that’s how you cheat people of their money, huh?

Every other SMS I have received from other companies always include the option to stop in each SMS and not only after 5 SMS from them. Glomobi, you are a big cheat. Nothing but a scam with misleading/fake advertisements to let people thing that one SMS will let them buy a product at a low price when it’s actually a draw.