Premium rate texters told to learn when to STOP

Had enough of being ripped-off by premium rate mobile texts? So has the Mobile Data Association (MDA). It's decided to introduce a universal unsubscribe option for all providers of the higher-cost services from this year.

The premium rate services, which text their customers everything from updates on TV programmes and sports to ringtones and porn, often make unsubscribing too difficult, said the MDA, leaving customers paying for services they've long since stopped wanting.

To try and solve the problem, the MDA has told the premium rate service providers that from 1 August, if users text them the word 'STOP', they must unsubscribe them from the service. Some third-party suppliers will be exempt if they don't have the technology to deal with such requests.

While responsible providers have signed up to recognise the scheme, the text spammers - businesses that get unsuspecting users to ring a premium rate number by sending them a text promising them they've won a prize - will doubtless remain oblivious.

The premium rate regulator, Icstis, issued record fines to spam scammers in May.