With the Woolworths Everyday Mobile service you have the ability to bar all premium SMS and MMS services or to set spend limits for such services.
Note: The ability to bar all premium SMS and MMS services from your Everyday Mobile account will be available from October 2010.
What are Premium SMS and MMS services?
Premium SMS/MMS services are information or entertainment services or downloads for your mobile phone or mobile-enabled device. They are provided by premium service providers who charge you a fee for the premium SMS/MMS which is then billed on to your mobile phone account. As the name suggests, premium services usually attract a premium fee i.e. the fee will be over and above normal SMS/MMS charges.
Examples of mobile premium SMS/MMS services include:
> Ringtones
> Horoscopes
> Mobile wallpaper
> Age restricted content
How do I get a Premium SMS or MMS service?
Mobile premium SMS/MMS services are opt-in services: the premium service provider must ensure that you have actively requested them. You opt-in by calling or texting a number (which will start with 19 and is also known as a shortcode) or by accessing the internet either through your mobile handset or from a computer.
For example, you might send an SMS to a shortcode or order the service through a website. If you are accessing it through a website, you will have to enter your mobile number in order to receive the service.
How much do Premium SMS or MMS services cost?
The pricing of premium SMS/MMS services is determined by the provider of the premium service and by law must be clearly stated in any advertising for the service.
Costs will vary depending on the type of content and frequency of delivery. For example, premium SMS/MMS can be one-off services (with one-off costs), or subscription services (with on-going costs). Costs may be calculated in a number of ways for example a set cost: e.g. $3 per SMS; or a time or data-based fee: e.g. $2 per minute or per Megabyte downloaded; or a combination of the two: e.g. $5 per ringtone or game plus a download charge of $1 per Megabyte.
Note also that some subscription services send you multiple messages per week or even per day and that for some services you may be billed for messages you send from your mobile and messages received by your mobile.
If you are unsure about how the charging works for a premium SMS/MMS service, check with the provider of the service before signing up.
Can I bar all Premium SMS or MMS services or limit the amount I spend on such services?
Yes, you can choose to do any of the following on your Everyday Mobile account:
> Bar all spending on Premium SMS or MMS services (available from October 2010); or
> Set a monthly limit on the amount you spend on Premium SMS or MMS services (available from October 2010); or
> Spend any amount, within your Everyday Mobile balance on Premium SMS or MMS.
Additionally, the law requires that you be entitled to cancel a mobile subscription service at any time by texting or replying STOP to the number that sends you the service, or to the number in the confirmation message.
Is there a cost to me if I choose to set limits or bar Premium SMS or MMS services?
There is no cost to you for setting limits or barring Premium SMS or MMS services on your Everyday Mobile account.
How do I request a monthly spend limit or bar for Premium SMS or MMS services on my Everyday Mobile account?
1. Go to the Contact Us page and under Enquiry topic select Everyday Mobile, and under Enquiry subject select Premium SMS, then just let us know in the Message box what you would like to do; or
2. Contact the Everyday Customer Service Centre on 1300 10 1234 and make the request to either set a monthly limit or bar the service.
How long will it take for the monthly limit or barring to be activated after I make the request?
We will activate the limit or barring as soon as practicable. Please allow up to 24 hours for your request to be processed and activated.
Will I be charged for Premium SMS and MMS services after barring is requested or my monthly spend limit reached?
If you receive any Premium SMS or MMS services after 6pm on the next business day after you request barring you will not be charged for these services.
If you receive any Premium SMS or MMS services after your monthly limit has been reached you will not be charged for these services.
How long will the barring or spend limit remain in place once requested?
Once you request a monthly spend limit or bar for Premium SMS or MMS services on your Everyday Mobile account that limit or bar will remain in place until you request that it be removed or changed.
Will setting a monthly spend limit or barring Premium SMS and MMS services affect any of my other features or services with Everyday Mobile?
Setting a monthly spend limit or barring your premium SMS and MMS services, will not affect any other service provided by Everyday Mobile.
If I wish to make a complaint about the supply of a Premium SMS and MMS service who do I contact?
If you have a problem with a mobile premium SMS/MMS service, firstly talk to the company providing the premium service. Alternatively you can also contact the Everyday Customer Service Centre on 1300 10 1234.
If you are unhappy with the response for premium service SMS/MMS issues, you can contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). The TIO provides a free and independent service for telecommunication consumers in Australia. See: www.tio.com.au or 1800 062 058.
For spam and scam issues, you can make complaints to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Contact ACMA on 1300 850 115 or at www.acma.gov.au