Hyderabad: The next time you receive an SMS containing matrimonial prospects, horoscopes, dating advice, games, jokes or cricket scores, make sure you are not being charged for it. Customers may end up paying monthly charges for messages that they don’t even want to receive.
Such messages fall under the category of value-added services (VAS) offered by mobile network operators. Companies often neglect to inform customers that they are being charged to receive the messages. Customers only find out when they notice it on their post-paid mobile bills, or when their pre-paid balance suddenly drops. The amount debited usually goes unnoticed because it may be as low '30 per month, though it may also run into hundreds of rupees. A caller tune is once such VAS.
VAS are provided by third-party companies that have tied-up with telecom companies to offer additional services to subscribers. These third-party companies and the telecom companies profit from VAS at the cost of the customer.
Customers should look for VAS on their bills to ensure that they are not being charged for any services that they have not requested or consented to. As per the regulations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), telecom operators are obliged to inform subscribers regarding activation of VAS.
Furthermore, consent in the form of an SMS is required for the activation of chargeable VAS.
According to a TRAI official, “We have always asked VAS providers to properly communicate details regarding services so that customers know the cost. We regularly conduct checks on basis of complaints received, to ensure that operators do not violate rules. However, when a customer complains that a service has been activated without their consent, the operator has to refund the money. Operators should inform customers about the amount being deducted towards the service ahead of time.”
