SMS Scam Contest complaints

Witness and Victim Complaint

Click here to see all the witness and victim complaint:

http://therealsingapore.com/content/atlc-scam-charging-1k-sms-services-i-never-signed

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-693289

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/allterco-atlc-scam-4580084.html

http://caveat-emptor-singapore.blogspot.sg/2011/02/response-to-spam-e-mail-leads-to-mobile.html

http://crystalake.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/have-you-won-an-ipad-recently/

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/iphone-chat-room-240/win-iphone-ipad-scam-4394314.html

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/what-bugs-me/win-this-iphone-scam

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/mobile-communication-technology-9/i-did-not-subscribe-but-i-have-been-charged-$6-week-1776588-6.html

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/iphone-chat-room-240/help-me-explain-iphone-bill-2800140-5.html

http://eakky.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/sms-to-winrather-it-is-to-get-conned/#comment-559

https://www.facebook.com/singtel/posts/10152622856806677

M1, Singtel and StarHub maybe is a related mobile company of making this kind of Scam money.

( Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd ) is a ( Scams Company )
( Allterco Pte Ltd )
26A Temple Street, 058565 Singapore
Email: office@teracomm.com.sg
This company is a cheating scams.
From: Singapore

Asia Pacific:

26A Temple Street, 058565 Singapore

Email: office@teracomm.com.sg

IDA and Case not interested to this respond, do you think there are also related ???

To understand how M1, Singtel and StarHub related to this scam company making this kind of scam money.
Go to this link to see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=plcp

This company is a cheating scams using this web page (www.ggole.com )

On the Pop-up ads: ( www.ggole.com ) On my computer Internet Explorer.

This company is cheating scam on me about give aways to Win a ipad to join the game on this 7545 4 SMS ( Time: 11:23pm ) !!!

Before I join the game, They didn't say anything to me will charged $3.00 per SMS on the reply !!!

Nobody can understand this kind of shot fonts ( SGD3 ) that reply me.

And no ( dollar sign ) show on this SMS !!!

Detail of this SMS question game that show in my phone:

SPEED Question for 1000 pts – HURRY, u have 3min remaining! What is the calling code for Singapore? 1= +66 2= +65. TXT 1 or 2 to 75454! SGD3

I have check my total SMS on this no. 7545 4 is only 26 SMS only.

But telephone operator of this Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd company telling lies I have 70 SMS will charged me $200.

And did call them on this number: 6631 9331 not to charged me of this Scam, but the company don’t want to do anything about it.

It show many people fall into this Scam too, on Singtel, StarHub and M1.

I have complaining to M1 operators no use, and M1 Operators CANNOT DO ANYTHING!!

The government laws must look into this case to answer the public of Singapore.

Maybe this is a related crime between all the mobile company of making this kind of Scam money.

These are as good as daylight robbery. What if those uncle and aunties dunno how to read bills, alot of them will be con!!

I really don't want to pay for this kind of SMS Scam.

This is my complaint. I have call M1 and IDA about this too.

I’ll make this case as the worlds wide biggest news.

THE PROFILE DETAIL OF THE CHEATING SCAMS COMPANY IN SINGAPORE: TERACOMM ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD / ALLTERCO PTE LTD

Officer Agents Address

https://www.facebook.com/viktorat

https://www.facebook.com/damienyeong

https://www.facebook.com/czacza77

https://www.facebook.com/EmilyLHamilton

https://www.facebook.com/jet.patel747

https://www.facebook.com/ostrowski

You could win an iPad, so start bidding!

Hot electronics are commonly used to entice victims into a shakedown. A pop-up ad on the computer invites the user to bid on an iPad, laptop PC, or wide-screen TV, but the user must include the user cell-phone number to play. Submitting the the user to bid sends a text message to the user cell phone that, whether the user respond or not, may authorize an unwanted $9.99 a month or more subscription to some useless service. The charge gets tacked onto the user cell-phone bill, where the user are unlikely to notice it.

Cramming. The auction is smoke and mirrors designed to capture user cell-phone number to place unauthorized charges on the user bill, a practice called cramming. Unlike numbers for landlines, cell-phone numbers aren’t published in directories, so scammers must be underhanded to get it.

Cell-phone companies ( IDA, SingTel, StarHub & M1 ), which can collect a few dollars or more commissions per charge, claim that wireless cramming isn’t a problem. But we found 480,000 alleged cell-cramming victims in one case, and in 2011 a Senate committee investigation concluded that landline and cell-phone crammers could be fleecing $2 billion a year from consumers.

“We have multiple wireless-cramming investigations under way,” says Vladeck at the FTC, “and we’re quite quickly seeing the migration of cramming from landline to wireless phones.”

The user demand refunds from the cell phone provider that the user has been crammed. Why the wireless and landline carriers never block all third-party billing to user account, and why the previous bills don't stop cramming charges ?

There have been multitudes of reports of Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd scamming from SingTel, StarHub & M1 users in Singapore.

Might I ask why even after so much pain that so many users are going through, why is this third party not blacklisted from going through your network and blocked from charging people?!

Since the IDA, SingTel, StarHub & M1 management does not want to do anything about it and refuses to waiver the charges, The user have no choice but to accept this third-party's unreasonable "kindness" of partial waiver.

SingTel, Starhub & M1 and was told that is only a bill collector. How disappointing when they are in the know that their business partners are doing unscrupulous business with complaints from people like us and yet they want to take an ostrich approach. We should bring this up to the opposition party to protect Singaporeans about this matter if our present PAP government cannot protect us. But please, for the sake of other customers of SingTel, StarHub, M1 Mobile who are potential victims, please stop this from happening in the future.

It seems that this co. has a neverending abyss of complaints from consumers who have been hoodwinked into something they never wanted.

Yes they were keen on the prize, or curious about the competition. But no, they did not want to subscribe to some lame excuse to overcharge users for useless sms trivia.

I wonder how business owners like this live with continually ripping off their customers (willing ones at that).

I agreed to Veela if the telecom operator is not even bother and not helping on this issue for the customer then how could we trust them. I am also wondering where do this stupid company get all our mobile number from? Is either they get our number from our telecom operator who selling them and earn commission on every charges or someone in the telecom company making some extra income on selling our number to them.

I have make an official complaint to Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Consumers Association of Singapore, Ministry of Communications and Information, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau & PAP Government ( Minister Yaacob Ibrahim ).

This is an stupid loophole policy of Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore created some big loopholes that criminals of this company to scam our singaporean money.

Can you look into this matter urgently to help our fellow singaporean to break this crime case !!!

This is very obvious of internal corruption of Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore approved all the mobile companies ( SingTel, StarHub & M1 ), which can collect a few dollars or more commissions per charge, claim that wireless cramming is not a problem. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau should check on this case, To find out who's is the real 'culprit' behind this cheating scams policy constructions !

That's Daylight Robbery and many victim got conned by Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd. I hope justice will come one day.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

(Minister for Communications and Information

and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs)

I hope our Communications MPs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim are fully aware of this kind of sms scam of ( Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd ) is a cheating scams company, scamming our singaporean money !

After so many police report on this scam and IDA, Case and CPIB also no response !!! Singapore government don't want to do anything on this matter about this ( Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd ) cheating scams company ! M1, Singtel and StarHub also related mobile company of making this kind of scam money too. I think we should bring this matter to Opposition MPs in Parliament ( The Workers' Party ) to protect singaporean about this matter.

Why the authorities never put a stop to them once and for all ? Is our PAP Sleeping not doing anything to solve this problem ????

ALLTERCO-ATLC SCAM

#comment-559

SMS to Win?…Rather it is to get conned….

Posted on May 8, 2008 | 44 Comments

I fell for the oldest trick in the book.

No such thing as a free lunch, in this case, winning a lucky draw by just sending an sms.

A pop-up window attracted me to this cool MacBook Air prize.

In huge print were the simple instructions to just SMS “AIR” to 72233. So I did without first reading the fine print “terms and conditions”.

I received a thank you sms, wishing me good luck in winning the MacBook Air, then the next sentence made my eyes roll. Another set of questions to pick between choice A or B, and the sinker, “Text A or B to 72233, & u can win, $4 CHARGED“

And suddenly another sms just came to me, “Welcome to Trivia! It’s ur chance to win cool prizes. Info: http://www.wixawin.com/6571 3999, subscription service max 10q per month $4/q….”

Panic gripped me….how much have they charged me so far already….and it goes straight to my mobile bill….

I raced to the original pop-up window and looked at the fine print:

Wixawin is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of the listed products or retailers. Trademarks, service marks, logos, (including, without limitation, the individual names of products and retailers) are the property of their respective owners. This is an ongoing subscription service until user quits. This service operates according to the Singapore code of practice for SMS services. By sending anSMS to 72233, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the ‘Terms & Conditions’ and agree to be bound by these ‘Terms & Conditions’. To stop service? Text STOP to 72233. Subscription: Maximum 10 SMS questions per month, S$4 per question. Competition ends 31-12-’08. Age: 18+ only – obtain bill payer’s permission. Helpdesk: 6571 3999. Technical Service Provider: Sybase 365 Pte Ltd.

Gosh. It really pissed me off.

I immediate sent “STOP” to the same number again in case more “trivia” (but expensive) questions pop up in my mobile.

Tell me who in his right mind likes to pay $4 for a trivia sms question, subject to paying $40 per month for ten of these. I might as well set up a company to do that and collect such easy (fool’s) money….

So and So Company will be hearing from me very soon when I receive my next mobile bill and find out any billings due to this incident.

I will definitely go to CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore) and not let it go so easily like the last time I found an MP3 subscription on my mobile bill when I did not knowingly subscribe to such a service.

Must be that contest SMS I sent to take part in some radio lucky draw.

No more sms for competitions or lucky draws for me anymore. Never ever!

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-693289

Eugene Peck‎SingTel

December 23, 2013 ·

Hi Singtel,
I have just received a bill shock recently that I was charged $130 for some Premium Rate Service that I did not subscribe to. The number in question is subscribed to my name, but is being used by my son.

Now, before shrugging it off that it is something that my son unknowingly did, I double checked his phone messages and saw that it was unsolicited. There was not outgoing messages, only incoming (my son only uses whatsapp, no sms at all).

The name of the company on the bill is AllTerco ATLC. I called one of your customer service staff on Saturday 21/12/2013 and was informed that nothing can be done on your end to waive off the fee as it is charged by a third party.

The customer service officer said she would contact the third party and get them to call me. They called today 23/12/2013 and I explained to them the whole situation, she said she would call me back after speaking with her management.

She called me back and said the management would only waiver half of the charge, which she told me totalled $150. She tried to explain that it was solicited even after I had tried to say on my end that it was not. I told her I would check with my service provider first and call her back afterwards. She gave me a number to call back.

I double checked with one of your staff and found out multiple smses had been sent from the phone, but none of them showed up in the outbox! It may have been a malicious app or the number could have been hacked, I do not know. The only thing I know is, it was not consciously solicited.

The strange thing is, the company that called me is Chapamobile Pte Ltd, not ALLTERCO ATLC. The number they called me with did not tally with the number that i was given to call me back. The number they gave me to call them back was +65 66319198, but the number on my phone when I received their call was +65 31062340. I checked the number and it was for another company, MultiRational Pte Ltd, that does business solutions. I also checked that Chapamobile is located in Hong Kong.

The gist of this is, doesn't it all seem like a scam? If you check the web, there have been multitudes of reports of ALLTERCO ATLC scamming users from all over the world, not just SG. And not only Singtel users.

Might I ask why even after so much pain that so many users are going through, why is this third party not blacklisted from going through your network and blocked from charging people?!

Since your management does not want to do anything about it and refuses to waiver my charges, I have no choice but to accept this third-party's unreasonable "kindness" of partial waiver.

If you don't want to do anything for me, it's fine. But please, for the sake of other customers of Singtel Mobile who are potential victoms, please stop this from happening in the future.

Replies

IHMay 16, 2012 at 5:17 AM

Hi Kwang and all
I was charged $798 for the SMS game by Teracomm Asia Pacific thru' Starhub.
I have approached Starhub and they have written in to Teracomm to explain my bill.
I dont want to pay for this kind of scam!
Please advise as to how to resolve such scam.
Thanks.
RakeshMay 26, 2012 at 5:57 PM

Same here, i also got same issue - bill of 600$, no intimation and nothing - i don't want to pay bill for such scam - govt must do something

patricia hernandezDecember 20, 2011 at 11:49 PM

Hi Kwang,

I have the same problem now. Would you be able to share how you were able to resolve this problem please???
Replies
vijayJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:57 PM

iam a victim too. i am still taking up the issue with starhub who admitted leaking my number to them vijust2@gmail.com
Replies
deebzyMarch 13, 2012 at 1:02 AM

Hi Kwang,

My dad is a victim too and was charged $204 and I have tried calling them but to no avail. Is there anyway we can publicise this on newspaper so people will be aware of this Teracomm Asia SMS scam?

And if you happen to resolve this problem, can you share how? Btw, I am a Singtel user.

Thanks!

Dee

Replies
akino69April 2, 2012 at 8:51 PM

I totally agree with you this fraud company sent automated SMS to me 5 SMS and charged $15. When I called Starhub they said they can't do much about it so I called Teracomm but the girl whom I inquired about the amount she hung up the phone during the conversation.

akino69
Replies
JoApril 3, 2012 at 8:26 PM

I so naive to response to this stupid survey and was shocked to see the 1st sms to me that I have initiated the questions and will be charged $3 each. I called StarHub but they refer me to the company, Teracomm. I was very pissed when the girl from teracomm said the disclaimer stated very clearly. But I did not see it only when they send me stupid question again with $3 behind. How can StarHub/M1/ Singtel not to do anything or IDA. They are the one who issue the short code to these company.

Replies
RykelApril 16, 2012 at 7:24 PM

Hi all, this Teracomm is still advertising in banner ads etc. and I nearly fell into it and thank goodness this site helped me avoid a financial scam. I know how to pursue this type of matter so if you would like to find out more, please let me know.
Replies
UnknownApril 26, 2012 at 3:22 AM

Yes... it was just happened to me recently, and the girl named IVY - sounded like a philipion was very rude and don't care to even entertain... and claimed that I should know what I did myself.. I think they are just too RUDE and thinking that no one can do anything to them. You guys were right, there were no charges applied in the beginning, only after 1 or 2 sms, then suddenly found the $3 charges there. and the first time response of "WIN" was $9. I think should lodge a Police report and let the authority check on them... this is too much of a CHEATING to Consumer.. the other way is to report to consumer rights Department??? @Rykel, any suggestion how to deal with it? We need to stop them before more people get cheated!!!!
Replies
son-in-lawMay 19, 2012 at 9:48 AM

Help! My mum-in-law is a victim of Teracomm ipad scam and her bill is 1700+! Starhub emailed her that they are just a billing agent and not involved in this. Her bill is the biggest amount I have read in all the forums so far. Can someone offer advice on how to get the charges waived?
Replies
1. Eunice LimJune 21, 2012 at 9:21 AM
  
  i book speaker's corner and inviting the media to cover us -- can you come? 21 July 2012 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM....what language can you speak and can you speak to the media?
  
  please join the conversations at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teracomm-Daylight-Robbery/311418038949613
  
  thanks!
RakeshMay 30, 2012 at 3:33 AM

Same here got bill of 570$ from Teracomm thru starhub and reported to IDA and now waiting IDA reply
euniceJune 20, 2012 at 10:43 PM

thanks for speaking with me.

Singtel told us can bar Premium Rate Service by calling *25625 and responding to the SMS. It's a free singtel service.

We should band together to bring Teracomm down and other scammers down. I booked 7 July 2012 from 10 AM Speaker's Corner at Hong Lim Park to talk about this. Can I have your support? Please reply to this.
KwangJune 25, 2012 at 10:07 AM

M1, Singtel and StarHub is a related mobile company of making this kind of scam money.

IDA and Case also not interested to respond.
After so many complaints, No respond from singapore government also.
Do you think they are also related with this scam also ?

To understand how they are related scam, go to this wed link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
KwangJune 25, 2012 at 10:03 PM

All this people is the members of ( Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd ) is a ( Scams Company ) link:

http://www.facebook.com/damienyeong

More news coming out soon !!!
Replies
1. RakeshJuly 15, 2012 at 1:04 AM
  
  i did not pay and kept fighting, involved IDA, Starhub and now finally i got a mail stating that all charges will be waived so keep fighting.
Wendy ChowAugust 31, 2012 at 11:44 AM

I received a billing statement from StarHub dated 3/8/12. One of the charges was "Premium Services" by Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd for "20Dwlds" at $3.00 each, total $60.0000.
Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd said that they have been sending me weekly reminders (via SMS which I never read) about my subscription, links to download, and instruction on how to STOP the subscription. Since I nenver opened their SMSs, how would I know that I was being charged? Why should I pay for any service which I have never selected any download or product? Wendy
consumerMarch 18, 2013 at 9:21 PM

Beware! This bunch of Bulgaria crooks have changed name to ALLTERCO. I have spent the whole morning talking to Singtel, CASE and IDA, but not much help also. Good luck to consumers!!
dua memonAugust 22, 2013 at 12:11 AM

nice posting collection of Cheating sms
Joseph PhuaApril 12, 2014 at 12:33 AM

DO NOT PAY TO TERACOMM -
I repeat !
DO NOT PAY TO TERACOMM -

I HAD MY COMMANDOS SURROUNDED AND SURVEY THEIR TEMPLE STREET OFFICE ! THE MOMENT IS RIPE, MY COMMANDOS WILL WIPE OUT THIS TERROR CELL !
2. Eunice LimJune 21, 2012 at 9:18 AM
  
  i book speaker's corner and inviting the media to cover us -- can you come? 21 July 2012 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM....what language can you speak and can you speak to the media?
  
  please join the conversations at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teracomm-Daylight-Robbery/311418038949613
  
  thanks!
3. HeatherJune 22, 2012 at 9:38 AM
  
  Went onto wwww.inrent.com.au (legit company associated with renting goods through Retravision etc) to see if I could log in to to see how long I have before I can upgrade a couple of items and was directed to do a survey for my local are. 3 simple questions; are you male/female, how often have you visited this site, and do you think you will visit this site again in the future. Then on submission, was offered a prize, an Iphone or an Ipad. Luckily I read below about signing up for messages, so much per week blah blah, blah. Checked the terms and conditions and saw no reference to Australia at all, let alone Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria etc. It also used the term 'cell phone' - good giveaway its probably a US company or some other overseas company. Decided to do a google search for TERACOMM ASIA PACIFIC to look for scam info (had a gut feeling) - and well, here I am....!
  
  Just surprised though that a legitimate financial company based in Australia such as InRent would hire them to do a survey. Or maybe they didn't and it was a spambot? Hmmm really am confused, but thought I would add this experience on here anyway.
  
  PS The effort I went through to try all the methods of publishing, then having to create a blog profile (something I won't really be using), getting a few error pages, switching to Google, and then having to create an account with them was far more time consuming and an irritating annoyance than the Teracomm site. All this just to post. Luckily I have a habit of selecting highlight/copy before posting or else I would have had to type this out around 6 times. Should be open to guests to comment rather than the rigmaroll (sp?) of having to create account/s just to make one post and forget I have them after this.
5. Bamboo TanAugust 31, 2012 at 4:24 AM
  
  Thank you Kwang for your posting on this. I got con by Terracomm on 14 July 2012 in exactly the same way you described it. Mine was about 150 sms which I think was local sms and should be covered by Starhub since I have free 500 local sms. Time taken for being conned is about 30 minutes. I was asked to pay $189 through Starhub. How can a local usage be charged for such a high fee. It's daylight robbery. Like yourself, I dont want to pay for this kind of scam. I wrote to Starhub and was told that Starhub is only a bill collector. How disappointing when they are in the know that their business partners are doing unscrupulous business with comlpains from people like us and yet they want to take an ostrich approach. I went to the police station to make a report today but was told that it's about billing. So not appropriate place to report. I have yet to see an MP about this. But you are absolutely right that we should bring this up to the opposition party to protect Singaporeans about this matter if our present govt cannot protect us.
  Replies
  1. Joseph PhuaApril 12, 2014 at 12:56 AM
    
    The OPPOSITION PARTY - WORKERS PARTY should be good in handling this. WP love to address to citizens woes - even it is not so significant!
    
    A heart that concern all BIG & small matters !
7. Bamboo TanAugust 31, 2012 at 7:05 AM
  
  The worst part was I didn't even know what the sms was all about as I was also distracted by the fast incoming questions. But I was rendered defenseless when Terracom pointed out that I was informed of the rates through the sms. What can I say! Anyway, I decided to terminated my giro payment and pay only my monthly mobile subscription. I don't know what Starhub and Terracomm are going to do. Will wait and see what happens.
8. EricSeptember 26, 2012 at 8:03 AM
  
  Just receive a bill from Singtel and to my surprise I had been conned also but this becomes funny on my case and I had to lodge a complaint yet.
  The subscrition for Singtel that I have was for my mobile phone that is for home use, I had a separate line for my own use, my home mobile line was locked for data and therefore nobody can used it except for voice call.
  SURPRISINGLY! I WAS BILLED FOR 29 DOWNLOADS. THERE WAS NOT EVEN AN SMS DONE AS DESCRIBED ON THE POST ABOVE! How could I be charge for downloads when I dont have any data active.
9. consumerMarch 18, 2013 at 8:33 PM
  
  Beware! This bunch of Bulgaria crooks have changed name to ALLTERCO. I have spend the whole morning talking to Singtel, CASE and IDA, but not much help also. Good luck to consumers!!
10. Joseph PhuaApril 11, 2014 at 11:53 PM
  
  I am a VICTIM too !
  
  I hate TERACOMM ! If I am a skilled hacker, I'll hacker the SHIT out of their website! One bro mentioned, TERACOMM is able to collaborate with SINGTEL, M1, STARHUB .. it goes to show their influence! Scary thou, like some kind of DARK N POWERFUL SYNDICATED EVIL-BRO !
11. Joseph PhuaApril 12, 2014 at 12:48 AM
  
  TERACOMM is global !
  
  However, seems like they only got complaint be Singaporeans only !
  Ha ha ! Teracomm, you come to the wrong place to cheat !
  
  You get nothing but shoot !
12. 1. HeatherJune 22, 2012 at 9:38 AM
    
    Went onto wwww.inrent.com.au (legit company associated with renting goods through Retravision etc) to see if I could log in to to see how long I have before I can upgrade a couple of items and was directed to do a survey for my local are. 3 simple questions; are you male/female, how often have you visited this site, and do you think you will visit this site again in the future. Then on submission, was offered a prize, an Iphone or an Ipad. Luckily I read below about signing up for messages, so much per week blah blah, blah. Checked the terms and conditions and saw no reference to Australia at all, let alone Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria etc. It also used the term 'cell phone' - good giveaway its probably a US company or some other overseas company. Decided to do a google search for TERACOMM ASIA PACIFIC to look for scam info (had a gut feeling) - and well, here I am....!
    
    Just surprised though that a legitimate financial company based in Australia such as InRent would hire them to do a survey. Or maybe they didn't and it was a spambot? Hmmm really am confused, but thought I would add this experience on here anyway.
    
    PS The effort I went through to try all the methods of publishing, then having to create a blog profile (something I won't really be using), getting a few error pages, switching to Google, and then having to create an account with them was far more time consuming and an irritating annoyance than the Teracomm site. All this just to post. Luckily I have a habit of selecting highlight/copy before posting or else I would have had to type this out around 6 times. Should be open to guests to comment rather than the rigmaroll (sp?) of having to create account/s just to make one post and forget I have them after this.
  2. KwangJune 24, 2012 at 2:34 AM
    
    M1, Singtel and StarHub is a related mobile company of making this kind of scam money.
    To understand how they are related scam, go to this wed link:
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
  3. KwangJune 24, 2012 at 2:39 AM
    
    IDA and Case also not interested to respond.
    After so many complaints, No respond from singapore government also.
    Do you think they are also related with this scam also ?
  5. Bamboo TanAugust 31, 2012 at 4:24 AM
    
    Thank you Kwang for your posting on this. I got con by Terracomm on 14 July 2012 in exactly the same way you described it. Mine was about 150 sms which I think was local sms and should be covered by Starhub since I have free 500 local sms. Time taken for being conned is about 30 minutes. I was asked to pay $189 through Starhub. How can a local usage be charged for such a high fee. It's daylight robbery. Like yourself, I dont want to pay for this kind of scam. I wrote to Starhub and was told that Starhub is only a bill collector. How disappointing when they are in the know that their business partners are doing unscrupulous business with comlpains from people like us and yet they want to take an ostrich approach. I went to the police station to make a report today but was told that it's about billing. So not appropriate place to report. I have yet to see an MP about this. But you are absolutely right that we should bring this up to the opposition party to protect Singaporeans about this matter if our present govt cannot protect us.
    Zeek AsakuraNovember 3, 2012 at 1:34 AM
    
    Same here, i also got same issue in August bill of 795$, after receiving my phone bill,I was shocked and didn't understand why Starhub charged me such amount.Then I called to Terracomm and got a contact with one lady.But she is very rude and didn't explain properly. After finished my call,I received one message from them which is " U've been removed from our marketing data base.U've got 0pts.Winners will be notified at end of promotional period.Terms? playmo.sg. Help?66319331".Actually I couldn't pay bill for such scam .
    
    November 3, 2012 1:24 AM
    Replies
    
    Joseph PhuaApril 12, 2014 at 12:56 AM
    
    The OPPOSITION PARTY - WORKERS PARTY should be good in handling this. WP love to address to citizens woes - even it is not so significant!
    
    A heart that concern all BIG & small matters !
    
    dua memonAugust 22, 2013 at 12:11 AM
    
    nice posting collection of Cheating sms
    ReplyDelete
    
    Joseph PhuaApril 12, 2014 at 12:33 AM
    
    DO NOT PAY TO TERACOMM -
    I repeat !
    DO NOT PAY TO TERACOMM -
    
    I HAD MY COMMANDOS SURROUNDED AND SURVEY THEIR TEMPLE STREET OFFICE ! THE MOMENT IS RIPE, MY COMMANDOS WILL WIPE OUT THIS TERROR CELL !
    
    44 RESPONSES TO “SMS TO WIN?…RATHER IT IS TO GET CONNED….”
    
    Jabalang | May 30, 2008 at 12:28 am | Reply
    
    hey… i suffer the same fate too.
    I was conned $12..
    
    The ads were very misleading..
    Is they anything we can do about this?
    
    Jabalang | May 30, 2008 at 12:34 am | Reply
    
    hey, 1 more thing, if u open the popup ads write… it automatically resize the browers size to cover the terms & conditions stated below. Leaving on the mapbook air ads on top. This is very obvious a setup.
    
    It they anyway tru law to bring that company down?
    
    eakky | May 30, 2008 at 9:55 am | Reply
    
    First things first.
    
    Never take part in any sms contest. They use data mining to collect your mobile numbers for future marketing purposes.
    
    For this company, the only thing to be done is to make an official complaint, perhaps to Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) or the newspapers.
    
    Then they will most likely be warned and told not to repeat such misleading advertisement/promotions again. That’s about all.
    
    Best thing to do is to warn everybody you know.
    
    I hardly take part in any contests, written, online or sms. Stopped believing in them already.
    
    Eakky
    
    Pingback: The $4 sms Saga « Eakky’s Blogscape
    
    Sam Gouding | June 9, 2008 at 9:59 pm | Reply
    
    I also got conned into doing this.
    
    I am not at all happy about it. Money is too precious to be robbed from us by these capricious dirty tricks.
    
    I too did not see the terms and conditions at the bottom of the page. They were not at all prominent, possibly even covered up by another window, and I would never have submitted my details had I known the cost. I will be very wary in future.
    
    I intend to take this further. I live in the UK, and hopefully people I contact in our watchdog groups will be able to make this illegal here and perhaps get my money back. It is not worth a great deal of effort, because of the smalll ammount of money involved, which is probably what the fraudsters rely upon, but on principle I fully intend to make their life difficult and champion the rights of others in the process.
    
    Onwards and upwards dear friends!!
    
    Sam WOng | June 19, 2008 at 2:33 pm | Reply
    
    Hi,
    
    Got my 2 sons bill last month & there will several billings for “bill on behalf services “( company like Sybase365 etc ). Argued with SingTel that if they don’t know such companies then why are their own clients been billed. Good thing, they said we can de-activate all such services for my sons mobile numbers.
    
    I am concerned because I read some other websites that the bills can run to the hundreds.
    
    I hope our Telco authority will wake up to curb such practices – these companies are just preying on innocent users!
    
    Just wanted to know …what is the outcome with CASE!
    
    Regards
    Sam Wong
    
    overclk2000 | June 19, 2008 at 9:38 pm | Reply
    
    I kena conned too. I called up my operator and they told me to call the Sybase 365 Pte Ltd. I did and gave them an earful. They relented and agreed to waive the charges except for the initial $4.
    
    What I’m going to do next is:
    
    – cancel my GIRO arrangement with my operator and dispute the $4 charge. Its a hassle but I believe this is one way for the operators to take notice of scams like these.
    
    – report to CASE.
    
    Suthagaran | June 25, 2008 at 5:51 pm | Reply
    
    I also suffering becos of this, I charged for 20$, but I sent only one SMS. I don’t know whts this service about.
    
    I am really confused.
    
    Dennis | June 27, 2008 at 11:14 am | Reply
    
    Good and bad news from my end.
    
    Bad news – My wife’s Singtel mobile got billed $20 from Sybase365 for “TMG Services” for the duration from 3/Jun/08 till 19/Jun/08. We’ve no idea what this TMG Services is for and what we’ve done was input the mobile number online in a lucky draw for notebook. Only 1 SMS was sent.
    I’ve tried calling Sybase365 hotline 68384430 as stated on Singtel’s bill but was informed by a voice recording stating that the customer service line had been changed to 65713999.
    
    Good news – I’ve called Singtel 1688 billing enquiries hotline and the CSO said will waive off the $20 after stating my wife’s case to her.
    
    Let’s see if the next bill from Singtel really waived off that $20.
    
    Dennis | June 27, 2008 at 11:17 am | Reply
    
    Forgot to add that nobody pick up the phone for that Sybase365 customer service hotline 65713999.
    
    Maybe others that got conned can have a better luck getting through?
    
    Gooni | July 7, 2008 at 5:17 pm | Reply
    
    Crap, i just kenna on my phone bill. Called up starhub and they gave me the same info on the company and contact number. Immediately called them up to cancel and demand that they refund the money they conned form me. At first they kept pushing the blame on me saying the terms and conditions are stated there but i kept arguing until they decide to refund 50% of the amount but i kept going and eventually they agreed to only bill me for the $4 initial charge, which is alot already for a stupid sms. I’m hoping to see my refund in the next bill but regardless of the outcome, i’m definitely reporting this CASE.
    
    yaya | July 15, 2008 at 9:57 am | Reply
    
    i’ve called them up also but they only agree to refund 50%, any advice on what I could do next?
    
    Sherry Teo lay teen | July 17, 2008 at 9:54 am | Reply
    
    Hi,
    
    Sybase is really a cheat! I also get conned.
    
    The screen pop out of nowhere, and there is no statement that stated every question will be charge $4. If they are charging, they should make it clear that every question is charge $4 and got how many question. There is no term and
    condition stated. If there is, I should have click on it and nothing pop up. I remember wondering how to get pass the screen and look for button to close the screen, but it cannot be closed.
    
    I am forced to enter phone number to get to the next screen.
    
    For god’s sake, who is so stupid to entered into a contest to pay $40 and expected to win or not win a phone?! It’s not a winning a condo!
    Alamak! Even NKF, need to pay $5 or $10 to enter charity draws.
    
    I entered my sister phone number and received the question immediately in my handphone as it is registered under my sister name.
    
    I did not give any answer, thinking that i am not going to be charged. Then the next question come and said enter end to end. which I did.
    
    I still get billed for $8 and called in M1 that I am not going to pay the third party, paid M1 only.
    
    Called Sysybase and get through. A girl pick up the phone and offer to wave $4 off the bill provide that i agree with the arrangement (not go to case, of course) and I asked for the term and condition published in their website to be given to me. (To give to police as evidence on how they do business)
    
    Today, call them again, the same girl pick up the phone claiming that i did not called them yestersday. Then I said ” Am I talking to a ghost yestersday! Told them if they did not send me the website and my transaction to view, I would definetely go to the police.
    
    Of course, I will definely go to the police today and lodge a cheating case against sybase.
    
    I would advise those being conned to make a police report to prevent other people being conned too. Dun’t paid any money to them.
    Call up your phone operator and told them you are not going to pay the bill if you did not send in any answer at all.
    
    At most, let the company sue me for $8 as they would not do cause they are the cheats.
    
    Go and make phone report. Dun’t need to pay cheat at all.
    
    Sherry Teo lay teen | July 17, 2008 at 3:20 pm | Reply
    
    Hi,
    
    I am being direct to CASE after making a police report. Do not delete away the email they send to as they need them as evidence.
    
    The police said the if CASE asked them to further investigate, they would step in.
    
    Alas! Bad luck to come across this company.
    Wish justice will come one day. For those who get conned, will understand how I feel.
    
    Sherry Teo lay teen | July 18, 2008 at 12:28 pm | Reply
    
    Hi, CASE officer said can lodge complaint to IDA as they have the right to close down the company as they regulate them and do other things.
    
    Go to : http://www.ida.gov.sg and do accordingly.
    I told case that i am not claiming the money, just to complaint.
    Anyone who see this website and have been sabo, can go to thehttp://www.ida.gov.sg to make known your cause.
    
    Please note that Sybase I refering to is SybaseXXX where XXX represent digits number.
    
    Sybase is another Oracle company, which I am not refering to above.
    
    That’s all folk. If really want to close down the company or made public awareness, go to ida.
    I hope it helps.
    
    eakky | July 19, 2008 at 1:11 pm | Reply
    
    Hi Sherry,
    
    I admire your actions beyond just words.
    
    Do let everyone here know the email address and person to attention the complaints to.
    
    Keep it up and let us each defend our consumer rights.
    
    Cheers,
    Eakky
    
    Sherry Teo lay teen | July 21, 2008 at 12:21 pm | Reply
    
    Hi,
    
    Try to contact the Sybase XXX Company first to let them refund your money. If they still claim $4 when U did not send in any answer at all or
    If U did not enter your handphone number yourself, tell them so. However the term and conditions must not be in the webpage stating that the question is paid.
    
    They should not charged $4. Honestly, I feel that they should apologize and wave off $4 and even paid us back the sms that they send to us. 2 sms (20 cent, if I am not wrong.) to the telecom company if they are considerate.
    
    The police told me that if someone entered your handphone number instead of you, then
    it is cheating case. Go and file a report if u are sure it is not any of your friends or families members entering it in the hope that you win the prize.
    
    The system that sybase used is really dun’t know what to say. They got the handphone number only and did not verify the message they send to is really the owner of the handphone. No message to end the question on the first question.
    No ” whether you want to continue with the game and get charged altogether $40 (10 question).”
    
    Go to Case to claim money if you want money back only.
    
    Go to IDA to complaint if dun’t want money.
    
    Base on your own case, if you feel it is not fair, then email to :IDA Info [Info@ida.gov.sg]
    stating your case.
    
    The person who attend to my complaint is : Kimmi Goh.
    
    IDA has the power to de-register or regulate the companies in Telecom industry.
    
    I think it’s fair for me to notify them to check them out. What action they do is up to them.
    
    Honestly, cannot image if one day, a person enter all the handphone number of all Singaporean,
    what would happen? Would we be still billed,
    including the VIPS ?!
    
    Of course, dun’t ever do this. Cause it is a crime.
    Can go to jail. Just to mention the above, to identify what a possible danger it poses to evey Singaporean.
    
    Hope that it would help u all.
    
    veerla | July 24, 2008 at 2:52 pm | Reply
    
    Anyone filed such stupid thing with CASE and is the outcome known so far??
    
    I kena connned by $40! I didn’t even know i was charged until i saw the bill myself. All the while i thought it’s just a spam and never bother reading the sms! I called the company, they insisted that I subscribed to the quiz and that’s y i was charged. I said i’ll go to police and CASE if they dun refund me for this “single way” transactions. u know wat the gal responded? “fine, go ahead.” that showed that the company is immune to the complaints!
    
    I called up starhub the 2nd time and said that i wanted to cancel the giro payment. i’m not going to pay that charges until it’s settled satisfactorily. On their end, they’ll check with sybase and come back to me with the outcome. Regardless of wat outcome it’s gonna be, even it’s not favourable to me, i’m not paying that charges.
    
    if there’s precedence that singtel can waive the charges, y starhub can’t do that? as the operator, they didn’t not act in the best interest of its clients. when this case has been going wild for quite some time, they’re aware of such complaints, they should take immediate actions! apparently they’re not doing anything but sitting down there to earn the commission!!
    
    this sybase is cheating. if it’s a transaction, where’s the other party’s confirmation?? i traced back to the first sms they sent me: “stay subscribed to trivia & play for cool prizes! blah blah blah…. ” Shouldnt they put it in this way that: “You’ve subscribed to trivia & play for cool prizes! ” which will really alert the reader of the sms???
    
    Kolin | July 26, 2008 at 4:08 am | Reply
    
    Hi All,
    
    I also one of the victim whose been conned by this website and whose I have not check my bill details cos I subcript to online billing and I just paid every month, until yesterday I was so shock to read that I have been billing $44 for this stupid website for July billing and also $22 for the last 2 months billed by M1 on this third party operator for not even aware that all this nonsense quetions cost me $4 per sms even you not bother to answer.
    I agreed to Veela if the telecom operator is not even bother and not helping on this issue for the customer then how could we trust them. I am also wondering where do this stupid company get all our mobile number from? Is either they get our number from our telecom operator who selling them and earn commission on every charges or someone in the telecom company making some extra income on selling our number to them.
    I definately going to log a police report and also log to CASE toward this company.
    
    Alan Tan | July 27, 2008 at 6:23 pm | Reply
    
    Hi all,
    
    I am equally disgusted by these kind of low down underhand tactics to swindle innocent parties. I have just sent an email to IDA today, perhaps you guys out there should do like wise and put pressure of IDA to control such unscrupulous people. The least this Sybase can do is to give you Y/N to subscripe when they send in the 1st sms. But I guess they must have planned it such that most will be caught off guard.
    
    Here is my email to IDA:
    
    “http://eakky.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/sms-to-winrather-it-is-to-get-conned/
    
    Dear Sir/Madam,
    
    If you go to the thread above you will notice how many net savvy guys out
    there were ‘conned’ by the Sybase365.
    
    As for myself, it was my wife (who only goes to her webbase email) who was
    ‘conned’ into believing that she ‘won an i-Phone’ by just answering 2 questions.
    Obviously the terms and conditions were there but how to stop an euphoric mind
    from grabing the chance “of winning an iPhone” from giving off her Name (Mrs Tan)
    and handphone (9xxxxxxx) to the next requested pop-up screen.
    
    Next thing she heard was her SMS ring tone. In came an sms message, when
    she saw that a S$4 charge to be levied she just wanted to cancel it. Unfortunately
    she hit the wrong button and sent off an unanswered reply. Subsequently she
    received more SMS which she did not reply (I was told that there were 3 more
    premium messages sent). I was told that even without replying to the 3 premium sms
    I would still be charged S$4.00 for each of the sms.
    
    May I ask is this the type of service customers must put up with? Can a
    service/content provider ‘throw’ its services upon you without your choice of rejecting?
    
    I am also frustrated that the business of telcos have been diluted to such dispicable level.
    Collobrating (in collecting monetary fees) with content providers with NO VALUED ADDED
    SERVICES!
    
    I do not know how many children, housewives and innocent parties got into such time wasting
    forrays.
    
    I myself have not encountered this pop-up screen, maybe you can send me a
    link where I can check for myself how this thing works.
    
    I hope IDA does take this kind of under hand tactic to collect subscription
    fee from the public seriously.
    
    Yours sincerely
    Alan Tan
    
    p/s 1, I have called Starhub – they are waiting from Sybase365 email reply, no news so far.
    2. I called Sybase365, took me ages to get in touch with the hotline personel, nothing
    can be drawn from her except I have to bear the S$16.00 charges.
    3. Spoke to Shela of IDA, encourage me to write to IDA and it will look into the matter with both
    (Starhub and Sybase365)
    4. Called CASE, I will have to pay S$10.00 fee for them to write a letter to Sybase365, no guarantee
    that I can get off the S$16.00 charges.
    5. Was told that such lucky draw needed police permit, but I have not call SPF yet.
    
    wen ting | August 16, 2008 at 10:26 pm | Reply
    
    i have also been cheated by sybase365. i was not aware of what ‘$4 charged’ meant until recently where my bill had gone up to a total of $44. I am not going to pay the $44 and i will demand for a refund of previous charges. DAMN sybase.
    
    Sherry Teo | August 18, 2008 at 2:57 pm | Reply
    
    Hi,
    
    I had put my case to IDA but have been advised to be careful.
    
    U all can see the corresponse below.
    Now I am not even sure whether I was wrong or not. I really cannot remember I saw the term and conditions in my email.. but my memory is not that good. I just let the matter rest.
    
    Hope that other who got unpleasant experience will not be too angry.
    
    ~Best regards,
    Sherry Teo.
    
    ——————————————————-
    
    Dear Ms Teo,
    
    We refer to your email dated 18 July 2008.
    
    We have noted your complaint and have sought clarification from Sybase365 Pte Ltd. We understand from Sybase365 that you had keyed in your mobile number to request for their quiz services via their Internet advertisement found athttp://www.wixawin.com/sg/ads/iphone.aspx. We have looked at the web page and note that the prices, terms and conditions of Sybase365’s service are stated at the bottom of the advertisement. The specific circumstances under which end users of the service will receive each SMS question are also stated in the terms and conditions of the service.
    
    We have also checked the SMS log of Sybase365 to see if they had charged you for a service that you did not subscribe to. We are attaching a copy of log below for your reference. The log show that after receiving your mobile number via their website, Sybase365 had sent an SMS to your mobile number to confirm if you would like to enter the quiz. In its confirmation SMS, Sybase had stated that the contest was a premium service and there was charge of $4 per quiz question, and customers had to reply by texting the keyword “IPHONE” to the short code “72233” to confirm their entry into the quiz. We note that a confirmation SMS containing the “IPHONE” keyword had indeed been received from your mobile number. It was only after Sybase365 received this confirmation that it proceeded to activate the service for you and to charge you accordingly for it. Therefore, in view of our investigation, we have no reason to believe that Sybase365 had made a mistake in charging you for the quiz service.
    
    We would like to explain the billing process for premium rate services. For normal SMS messages, only the sending party needs to pay for sending the SMS message; the receiving party does not pay for receiving it. However, for certain value-added services, such as SMS information services (e.g. financial and sports news), ringtone downloads or SMS chat services, the receiving party might be billed by the Premium Rate Service Provider (PRSP) for having the information sent to their mobile phone. In such cases, the mobile service provider will usually bill the receiving party on behalf of the PRSP. PRSPs provide various channels for consumers to purchase or subscribe to their premium rate services. For example, the consumer could send a keyword to the PRSP’s short code hrough computers accessing Internet websites, or mobile phones accessing mobile operators’ portals (such as SingTel Mobile’s E-Ideas portal or M1’s Mi-World portal).
    
    To protect consumers from being wrongfully charged for unsolicited premium rate services, or being misled by advertisements on premium rate services, IDA introduced a Code of Practice for Provision of Premium Rate Services last year. The Code imposes regulatory requirements on PRSPs. For example, PRSPs must disclose beforehand to consumers price and non-price terms of the services that they are subscribing to. This will allow consumers to make informed choices when choosing PRSPs. Also, IDA requires the PRSPs to publish the information in a manner that is readily available, current and easy to understand. At no time are PRSPs allowed to charge customers for unsolicited services.
    
    We would like to take this opportunity to remind and advise consumers to be careful of the services they subscribe to, and to carefully read the service terms and conditions before making any purchases. If consumers are unclear of the details of the service, it would be best if they contacted the service provider to seek clarification before taking up the service. We hope this clarifies and addresses your concerns.
    
    Logtime Dir Keyword Message Cellular Operator Rate
    6/24/2008 18:28 out SG-72233-STOP 72233: We received your cancellation message. You will be unsubscribed within a few minutes. 96986876 52503 0
    6/24/2008 18:28 in SG-72233-STOP stop 96986876 52503 0
    6/24/2008 14:06 out SG-72233-IPHONE TRIVIA: play 4 cool prizes! Nxt round starts tomorrow. NB: From July 1 subscription changed to 3qs/wk. $4/q. Info:wixawin.com/65713999. To end txt stop to 72233 96986876 52503 0
    6/18/2008 14:05 out SG-72233-IPHONE Play for Game Boy Advance + 2 games! Q1: Which tennis player won the ’08 French Open? A: Rafael Nadal or B: Andre Agassi. Txt NOW A or NOW B to 72233! $4 charge 96986876 52503 400
    6/17/2008 20:00 out SG-72233-IPHONE Good luck with winning the iPhone! 1st Q. Who is the co-founder of Apple? A: Bill Gates or B: Steve Jobs. Text IPHONE A or IPHONE B to 72233! S$4 charged 96986876 52503 400
    6/17/2008 20:00 out SG-72233-IPHONE Welcome to trivia! It’s ur chance to win cool prizes. Info: http://www.wixawin.com / 6571 3999, subscription service max 10qs/month, $4/q, 2 end text stop to 72233. 96986876 52503 0
    6/17/2008 20:00 in SG-72233-IPHONE Iphone 96986876 52503 0
    6/17/2008 19:57 out SG-72233-JM0 Please text IPHONE to 72233 to confirm your entry. Join now and have a chance to win an Apple iPhone! Premium service, $4/q. Info: wixawin.com / 6571 3999 96986876 52501 0
    
    Best Regards,
    Kimmi Goh
    IDA Corporate Helpdesk
    8 Temasek Boulevard, #14-00, Suntec Tower Three, Singapore 038988 :: Tel: +65 6211 0888 :: Fax: +65 6211 2222
    The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing info-communications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. Visit IDA’s website at http://www.ida.gov.sg. For enquiries, email toinfo@ida.gov.sg.
    NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential or legally privileged information. Any unauthorised use, retention, reproduction or disclosure is prohibited and may attract civil and criminal penalties. If this e-mail has been sent to you in error, please delete it and notify us immediately.
    
    —– Forwarded by IDA Info/IDA/SINGOV on 08/08/2008 04:06 PM —–
    
    18 Jul, 2008 02:41 PM
    To IDA Info/IDA/SINGOV@SINGOV
    cc
    Subject RE: Log no: 38173 – Complaints against Sysbase365 – Tmg Services.
    
    Hi,
    
    I want to lodge a complaint against Sybase365 – TMG Services. I am not sure whether I am the first one to do so or not.
    
    Other customers either from M1, Singtel might just pay the bill and suffer in silence.
    
    I am one of M1 customer. My handphone is registered under my sister’s name.
    
    While online in internet, Sybase365 – TMG Services promotion website for winning a ipod/iphone (I cannot remember what it is as I am not interested
    
    In the product at all) pop up of the screen and interfere with what I am doing.
    
    As I am not interested, I come out out of the page. Next I go in again, soon after , the website pop up again, this time, I cannot close the webpage.
    
    I look through the webpage to find out what it is, it is asking one to enter handphone number to win an ipod/iphone.
    
    Then I look at the term and condition.. It is small in printed. Click on the term and conditions, no url or new website page specifying the term and condition
    
    Comes up.
    
    As I really want to go to the next page, with no interest in the iphone or ipod or whatever, I think keying in my handphone number is only providing
    
    Them information to access me for promoting their products or services or just to let them contact me when I win the price.
    
    Alas! Who would have thought, immediately I received an sms stating that a question and a few answer to choose from. $4.
    
    Just like that. I thought that if I send in my answer, I would be charged $4. Therefore I did not and thought all ends.
    
    However, I received another sms a few days/weeks later ( I am too busy to notice the time ) which tell me sms end to end the contest, which I did.
    
    At the end of the month, I received M1’s bill stating that I have to pay Valued Added Services Provider – Sybase365 – Tmg Services.
    
    I called up M1 and is being directed to call Sybase365 – Tmg Services directly.
    
    I called up the staff and she said that it is being charged for 2 questions that they send to me. I told them that I did not take part in the contest
    
    at all, I did not send in my answer. Why am I paying for some services that I did not want or dun’t need to pay at all?
    
    The staff said that she would wave $4 off the bill, that is I have to pay $4 instead. I told her that I would lodge complaint to Case.
    
    I asked her how come, there is no specification that $4 will be charged for every question asked in the web page?
    
    I entered my handphone number, thinking that it is a harmless and free contest. If the contest is charged, they should write in bold and big
    
    in the webpage and let the consumer know.
    
    Later she told me that there are 10 questions altogether, and each cost $4. Who in the right mind would paid $40 to enter a contest for ipod/iphone.
    
    Who expect to answer correct 10 questions, paid $40 to win or not to win a ipod/iphone.
    
    Even one need to pay $5 or $10 to enter into charity contest for Condo in NKF’s charity TV shows.
    
    Sybase365 is really too much to mislead the consumers to enter phone number, thinking it is a free contract and charge us straight away for questions they send to us.
    
    They did not email me the term and conditions which the service staff said they had did. I want them to send me the term and conditions, URL and my transactions
    
    Records which they claimed they have. Till now.,. They did not send me any.
    
    I really want to vomit blood when I speak to the staff at Sybase365 – TMG services.
    I called the next day, and the staff who picked up the call claimed that based on company record, I did not called at all when I request again for the term and
    
    Conditions which they claim they have put in the website and my transactions record.
    
    Later she change her words when I said that ” am I speaking to a ghost yestersday then”. She later admit that I called the day before twice and said that her
    
    Co-worker had already send them in yestersday. But it is almost one and a half day already and there is nothing in my email.
    
    She asked for my email again and I give her both yahoo and hotmail which she said she forward the email to me.
    I wait and go to both – yahoo and hotmail accounts. Nothing received and feedback to her.
    
    Then she asked for my company fax number which I did not give as I know she is taking me for a fool.
    I have lodge a police report against them and is advised to go to CASE.
    
    CASE direct me to IDA as I am not claiming any money. Just to make the government aware what is happening to Mobile phone consumers in Sinapore.
    
    I have spoken to M1 service staff and is told that there are other cases with Sybase365 – TMG services.
    
    Although M1 said that they would paid for me as I insisted on not paying as I am conned to their services and I did not receive any really services from Sybase365
    
    but anger and upsets.
    
    Really pissed off that such company can do business this way and get away with it, while other consumers who felt conned is suffering in silence.
    
    Although I did not suffer losses, but M1 will suffer losses if It pay for me out of goodwill. But the money losses is not fair to its shareholders.
    
    I hope IDA would take approriate action and do justice in this case. It is not right to charge a person when one did not send in answer and I am being mislead into it.
    
    If I am the only one, I might not bring this matter up to the authority.
    
    But as consumers of M1, SingTel (StarHub, not sure) got conned as they had claimed, I cannot just do nothing and let other fellow Singaporean suffers, although
    
    It is a small amount. Others might suffer bigger losses.
    
    M1 had said that they would pay for me as it is a small amount, but if it is a big amount, I have to settle with the company myself.
    
    I pitied those that have huge bills to pay.
    
    I hope that the authority will looked into it and do the public a service by either issuing a warning to their ways of conduction business or
    
    de-registered them if the authority feel it should be so.
    
    I would like to give you my handphone number to contact me. But after knowing Sybase365 ways of doing business, I am very carefully about disclosing
    
    My handphone number to anyone anymore cause I cannot trust anyone already.
    
    ~ Thanks and Best regards,
    Sherry Teo Lay Teen
    
    Ricky Ong | August 21, 2008 at 11:30 am | Reply
    
    Dear All,
    
    All my life (now age 62) never believe “NOTHING IS FOR FREE” – Cantonese saying “NO FROGS ANYHOW JUMP ON THE ROAD SIDE”, Nigera Con with Billions I also ignored.
    
    Never check my M1 Mobile Phone Statement, as my daughter paying for my bill. On August daughter financially have money problem, so went to settle S$332.76 and noticed Value Added Services for $44.00 for August, $28.00 for July and $8.00 for June. Contacted M1 and question what is the service all about and ask whether have I subscripted to such service and reply is NO.
    
    What the Hell do this services come about and now unable to contact Sybase365 since 18 August and left them message to contact me but no response.
    
    Go ahead and take necessary action against such con company, as me making a Police Report also to case
    
    gemma | August 22, 2008 at 3:36 pm | Reply
    
    Yes, the ugly insidious talons of Sybase 365 (it even sounds evil don’t you think- like the baddies in Battlestar Galactica) are reaching into the wallets of unsuspecting Aussies as well. This time facilitated by none other than Facebook, and my 13 year old daughter unfortunately fell for their tricks when it came up innocently disguised as a competition on Facebook. Surely this company should be brought down and exposed- Someone is getting very rich if this many of us are falling for it!
    
    eakky | August 22, 2008 at 10:20 pm | Reply
    
    It seems that this co. has a neverending abyss of complaints from consumers who have been hoodwinked into something they never wanted.
    
    Yes they were keen on the prize, or curious about the competition. But no, they did not want to subscribe to some lame excuse to overcharge users for useless sms trivia.
    
    I wonder how business owners like this live with continually ripping off their customers (unwilling ones at that).
    
    As the saying goes, caveat emptor (buyer beware)!
    
    gemma | August 26, 2008 at 1:04 pm | Reply
    
    Good news- my phone company ‘3’ refunded the money based on the fact that the advert was deliberately misleading and Sybase are uncontactable (they haven’t returned any calls). For Aussies your best bet is to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman- get a reference number- and go back to your mobile service provider for a refund… still it seems Sybase is getting away with it- why should 3 have to pay?
    
    CCP | September 23, 2008 at 10:58 pm | Reply
    
    I chalked up $112 worth of so-called ‘value added services’ bills over the past 3 months for receving questions that I did not answer – quizes that I did not participate. This is totally absurd. I have a good mind to go personally to Sybase365 office and take up the matter with them. We cannot go legal with the company because they have all the evidence. We have to make demands on grounds of business mal-practice and misrepresentation. When they mentioned $4 per question, I take it to mean that it is chargeable only if you respond. They should have made it clear that it is “$4 per question; even if you don’t respond”. But if they do that, they know full well that customers will terminate the service in a blink. Therefore, they mislead.
    
    I am a member of an international hotel and resort chain. The membership costs me $500+ per year. With it, I get to stay at their chain of hotels at discounted rates – but they charge only when I stay, not when I don’t stay. This is very fundamental business rule and ethics; but I guess they lack the latter. I am definitely going all out to demand for a full refund of my money.
    
    Wendy | October 12, 2008 at 8:19 pm | Reply
    
    I’m a victim also, just called M1 hoping they will waive off the charges but apparently they said have to depend whether Sybasexxx can waive it in the first place. Really disappointed with M1, have been a long-time customer with them.
    
    Will try to call the company early in the morning tml.
    
    Heard from other sites, to terminate have to send them a STOP sms and this will incur additional charges…is that true? Is there other way?
    
    eakky | October 13, 2008 at 10:12 am | Reply
    
    Hey Wendy,
    
    Do send them the STOP sms to cut the service and stop your charges from accumulating. No additional charges incurred.
    
    I did that when I received the first $4 sms. So in the end all I was charged was $4 after I send the STOP. At least my losses was minimal.
    
    justsum1 | October 30, 2008 at 10:41 am | Reply
    
    Hi all.
    
    It only takes one sms and that’s it. “curiousity killed the cat” as they say.
    
    Reality check:
    
    You all think it’s that easy to win a MacBook or iPhone? Just answer a quiz and that’s it? Pshh.
    
    Get real. The best you all could do, you want a Macbook? you save, then you buy. Haha
    
    ALKZ | November 17, 2008 at 11:32 pm | Reply
    
    Hi all,
    
    i also got conned. Just found out today. This company really too much. They just sit down and earn money for nothing. Why not we gather together and make a complaint to the newspaper?
    
    Any keen pls send me email at adrianlkz@yahoo.com
    
    eakky | November 19, 2008 at 6:15 pm | Reply
    
    Hi Adrian
    
    your wish got answered. A journalist left her contact on my blog:
    
    Hi there, I’m a journalist with SPH mypaper, and I’m actually doing a story on this hp scam. Hopefully you can get back to me and share abit more on your story? You can email me, or call me at 6319 5257. Thanks alot! If you have any friends who had the same experience and wish to share with me their thoughts as well, feel free to ask them to contact me. =)
    
    regards
    Joy
    joyfang@sph.com.sg
    
    Pingback: SMS phone scam: Vent your frus thru newspaper « Eakky’s Blogscape
    
    siva | November 29, 2008 at 6:07 pm | Reply
    
    pls do visit my blog for a solution to this matter
    
    http://marinetauchen.livejournal.com/
    
    siva
    
    siva | December 8, 2008 at 4:48 pm | Reply
    
    i had the same problem too… but resolved the matter with my MTO and sybase…. I was suppose to pay more than $120… in the end, I paid $0.00 =) visit my blog for the details…
    
    http://marinetauchen.livejournal.com/
    
    arnold | September 11, 2009 at 5:54 pm | Reply
    
    thanks for sharing ….
    
    eakky | September 21, 2009 at 12:46 pm | Reply
    
    you’re welcome
    
    Tim | June 19, 2010 at 12:21 pm | Reply
    
    Big Con job indeed…
    I found myself doing / buying /eating things that i told myself never to.
    Now, i maintain a “never list” to remind myself.
    It includes where/what not to eat, brands not to support, how to react to situations (e.g. someone cutting your queue), marketing calls, etc.
    It includes lessons from others as well.
    
    Use AdBlock Plus and FlashBlock of firefox to stop all ads (good or bad).
    You will have more peace!
    
    Tim | June 19, 2010 at 12:40 pm | Reply
    
    Guess why Spain loses the first match in world cup 2010?
    Guess why Germany win the first and loses the second match?
    Guess why the telecom operators allowed such things.
    
    It doesn’t take much intelligence to know why.
    
    Sue Lynn | June 16, 2011 at 9:34 pm | Reply
    
    Its 2011 and I just noticed I have been billed the last 3 months for a service that I did not unsubscribe to?!?!?! its itemised as Ericsson Telecommunications – Tmg services and M1 lists the company’s number as 8001012164 and says to contact the company for enquiries. I have been charged $96 singapore dollars for the last 3 months. Looks like what you are talking about – Sybase365 – has a new mask. I will have to make a complaint to CASE. Please check your bills again!!! This is unethical!
    
    Phyo | November 27, 2011 at 1:24 am | Reply
    
    Fucking i did pay 3moths :(
    
    lewis | December 5, 2011 at 9:54 pm | Reply
    
    Hi,
    
    I am a M1 user and i encounter the same thing here in my bill.
    I saw the solution is to send “STOP” to 72233
    
    I did that, and i received an reply SMS: “Regarding your opt-out request, no active subscriptions were found. If you are taking part in one of our non-subscription services, no further action is required”
    
    Did you guys receive the same reply? Does this reply means the services has already been stop?
    
    Michael | December 24, 2011 at 8:46 pm | Reply
    
    Premium downloads. Mobile In Motion Pte ltd 67256565
    
    i called starhub four times in a month and was given different answers
    two said the service has been barred and two said need to check with 3rd party…
    fed up with starhub. i never even click on anytime anywhere.. and called the company… some foreigner picked up and mumbled marbles…
    
    ain’t paying starhub $48 and guess what…another sms got in.. jeez
    
    Sri | November 20, 2012 at 8:33 pm | Reply
    
    Hey how do i unsubscribe this thing? Cause it charges me 84sgd fr 21 msg already just bcos of the sms they’ve send me. Help me?
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · August 30 at 6:41pm
    
    Maia Tae
    
    Being charged $48 for services i didnt even activate. That's Daylight Robbery. I called them up and they insisted that i was the one who activated it. So i asked for the proof of the downloads to be emailed to me and it shows that sms were sent from them. Complained to the service provider and to ATLC to block all premium services.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · June 17 at 2:19pm
    
    Seah Li-wei ·  Top Commenter · Simei, Singapore
    
    I got a $25 charge too. When I retraced to find out where my phone was at at the time I "subscribed", I was disappointed to find out that it was at irepair. My mistake for not taking out the SIM card.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · June 13 at 3:39pm
    
    Rosely Abdul Jalil · Manufacturing Specialist at UTAC Group
    
    I just give a call to my service provider and explained to her. She agreed to waive my $72. And requested me not reply sms or give details abt myself if Im not sure this sms come from.....
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · May 22 at 12:42pm
    
    Rosely Abdul Jalil · Manufacturing Specialist at UTAC Group
    
    Today I received my phone bill. I was shock cause I need to this ATLC for $72. Anyone have any experience on what to do?
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · May 21 at 10:45pm
    
    Aslin Rahmad · Works at Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
    
    Huh I having same problem too.. Its appear in my current bill dated 14 may 2014. I was charged $24. What must I do now?
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · May 19 at 7:43am
    
    Nur Ain Othman · Follow · Singapore
    
    Don't pay yet. Go and callyour mobile subscribers and tell them about it. Insist that you won't pay because u never use it. Do not lose a battle without a fight! hahahaha
    
    Reply · Like · May 19 at 10:46am
    
    Lee Agnes
    
    Hi all, I have the same prob and I have emailed IDA and SPF for advice. I was told to proceed to make a police report so that they can advise me. IDA has replied to my email and will follow up. As for my case, I didn't even reply to any such SMS. Please report it to IDA and hopefully that they can take action against such act! We need more victims to come forward to report.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · April 25 at 5:31pm
    
    Ben Wong · Anderson Junior College
    
    I also had this bad experience. A message came and ask me to subscribe to 146079193-which I did without checking the source.
    
    lesson learnt: do not subscribe to unknown apps. Make sure you check the terms and cons before downloading the app.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · April 24 at 9:40pm
    
    Ian FarEast BubbleCute · Follow ·  Top Commenter
    
    who believed the local telco did not make a profit out of this raise your hands now!
    
    Reply · Like · 5 · Unfollow Post · December 14, 2013 at 11:35pm
    
    Ainul Adilah
    
    I'm a victim too. I was charged $25 for 5 times weekly in march which sum up to $125 for similar case. I'm gg to call sing tel today.How could Sing tel let this happen since there are so many complain???
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · April 10 at 7:28am
    
    Ainul Adilah
    
    Can anybody advise me what i should do now? Thanks.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · April 10 at 7:30am
    
    Kaliyaperumal Cholan · Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore
    
    I was charged $24 two timestimes and I don't have any idea that downloading. I call star hub they ask me to check with ALTC .
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · March 14 at 8:00pm
    
    Jennifer Kong · Works at Unification Church
    
    I am a victim too. I was charged a $75. I don't have any idea that I subscribed anything from them and they keep sending sms until I was so annoyed and send back a "STOP" to unsubscribe but 3 weeks had already passed. Now then I realized I was charged a $25/week. When I checked with ALTC they said I agreed to the terms & conditions online. If I did agree to anything online or send out a reply it might be just to find out more information. They should reply back with affirmation of the charges. Moreover, who will go read pages and pages of such T & C? This is a very misleading marketing scheme. Luckily Singtel provides me a waiver of 50% and blocked future "content & services" item on my mobile number. Treat it as paying a price to learn a lesson:{
    
    Reply · Like · 1 · Unfollow Post · January 14 at 8:07am
    
    Malik Aviram Vijh · Follow ·  Top Commenter · UA Lead at LiveOps
    
    Same problem here. I called Singtel and asked them to waive it off and ensure it does not happen again or I will not pay any bill and take them to court. They've waived it off this time but based on the comments below, I have to find a fool proof way to ensure this doesn't happen.
    
    Update: You can request your operator to block 'premium content services' on your mobile to prevent any sort of automatic responses scamming you. Just did that with Singtel.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · Edited · February 20 at 10:31am
    
    Axebrandoil Rosaxe · Singapore
    
    bloddy hell!!! my daughter also being scam!!! im going to call them!!!
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · January 29 at 6:35am
    
    Lien Jian Yao ·  Top Commenter · Saint Andrew's Secondary School
    
    Well the Telco allowed this to happen so they should be held accountable.
    
    Reply · Like · 1 · Unfollow Post · December 15, 2013 at 2:47am
    
    Tan Joanne
    
    I think I'm the worse! I jus received my jan bill and was charged $95 for nothing!! Singtel claimed that they can only help me offset 50 % (meaning i still have to pay $ 47.50) and advised me to sign in the barring plan.
    What the hell it is!! Plan to report to Police but wonder they will keen on handling the case??
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · January 18 at 6:49pm
    
    Cat P P Tan · Serangoon Secondary School
    
    I also got charged $25 in my dec bill. It showed I subscribe on 13 Dec n I check my sms...there r no such msg...going to call n complain tmr....
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · January 14 at 7:55pm
    
    Yvonne Tan · Ngee Ann Poly
    
    OMG ! Where they get the number ?
    
    Reply · Like · January 14 at 9:18pm
    
    Noor Salim
    
    omg!!..i just received the same stuff charging me $25 and i cannot recall making any sms neither do i subscribe anything from them.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · December 27, 2013 at 9:47pm
    
    Adele Wee · Follow · Works at SMTOWN
    
    Dear Jen, I am also a victim of this SCAM. I am challenge Singtel to sue me and I refuse to pay.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · December 26, 2013 at 10:43am
    
    Ajmal Siraj · Follow · University of Bradford (MDIS)
    
    Hope this helps:
    http://www.ifaq.gov.sg/ida/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx?qst=2fN7e274RAp%2bbUzLdEL%2fmCxs7iwcgv8gv2atNDOvsLCSU%2bp2UvVT%2bCzI8Q81ufumu5ZHJa4HOayQzzQcC80EryvKn8f8fhpfd%2f91tvKwFqlvaf5sgGoCySgEE9ZGnvMTMLcuE7%2bK9NK8RKCQjB11QkSp%2bhWOvqmF76g%2bm3SyRBfOPl0JiRTeCA1GcqBXLOWJJ8%2b2V48DvzxuOLONK%2fE2wuE6z8vhaMMVDqEBedm8z99599K%2brJJk8w%3d%3d
    
    And this:
    
    http://www.ida.gov.sg/Individuals-and-Community/Infocomm-You/Infocomm-Regulation-For-Consumers/Premium-Rate-Services
    
    Share to increase awareness.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · December 15, 2013 at 9:54am
    
    Jacky Ng · Follow · SIM University
    
    i'm a M1 user, I had this also have this happened to me on oct.
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · December 14, 2013 at 11:42pm
    
    司馬平 · Follow ·  Top Commenter · 156 followers
    
    SSingTel and Starhub beloned to same famiLee ---- TemaSuck Holdings? (WherevM1 is not).
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · December 16, 2013 at 12:49am
    
    Kenny Leong · Follow · 阿彌陀佛
    
    我女儿的电话账单也是有同样的问题。我太太打去at-atlc的公司问也问不到什么。最后说要报警该公司才肯删除$50.4....
    
    Reply · Like · 1 · Unfollow Post · January 6 at 3:31pm
    
    Jenny Leong
    
    哇真有此事.
    
    Reply · Like · January 6 at 9:04pm
    
    Kenny Leong · Follow · 阿彌陀佛
    
    根本就是诈骗公司。问他是什么有说不出。。
    
    Reply · Like · January 6 at 9:36pm
    
    Yue Wang · Nanyang Technological University
    
    I think the correct question shall be: why such a scheme can even exist? After so many months????!!!! Where is the jurisdiction??
    
    Reply · Like · Unfollow Post · July 16 at 11:41pm
    
    orgmsia66
    
    March 21, 2012
    
    My early teen daughter also experienced similar SMS win iPad contest cheating scam from this company "Teracomm Asia Pacific" too in Malaysia.
    
    The company has world-wide operations, wish media to wide spread the news to the world and authority to stop this kind of cheating business strategy operation to earn $$ from un-matured children and old folks.
    
    33
    
    View comments
    
    Quin JuneJune 30, 2011 at 10:32 AM
    
    You are lucky, it was a S$6.00. Hell do I know what Ive clicked on for a S$48.00 charge every month since March 2011. I have just called Teracomm to demand for a refund but the Customer Service sucked big time. This didnt stop me going further, Ive since lodged a report to CASE and hopefully, I can stop these spam scammer from doing such ridiculous acts in the near future. The most absurd is, when I called M1, they said this Teracomm is their authorised vendor. And when I called Teracomm, they claimed that they are IDA approved telecommunication vendor. My concern is, why these providers in particular to IDA put us mobile line subscribers at risk by authorising such USELESS and SCAMMING vendors? How do they prove our acceptance for their services? When we accidentally clicked on their sent sms while in a hurry? Or when a child plays with their parents phone and accidentally clicked on something? So by such silly accidents, unintentional, we were charged for it on a monthly basis? Whether or not we do DOWNLOADS services rendered by em or NOT? This is absurd, this is crazy and most of it all, M1 SINGTEL and STARHUB and IDA are putting us mobile line subscribers at risk to include such companies/ vendors as AUTHORISED. In the first place, why didnt they monitor for us if WE DID or DID NOT accept such services? Is a confirmation and payment made so easy by just one click, Im doubting local telecommunication bodies now. I am not gng to just stop here and let em do what they want, I am gng to lodge complaints and complaints till I get back my refund and they stop charging me.
    
    If this complaints doesnt get in and work, I am so going to go down to see the MP in my region to HELP resolve my case here.
    
    This is totally UNBELIEVABLE! Read my name here, Teracomm...my name is...
    
    JUNE CHIEN
    
    ...and I will get to the bottom of this!
    Reply
    
    Replies
    
    Eunice LimJune 22, 2012 at 12:37 AM
    
    i booked speaker's corner and inviting mainstream media to cover this to create awareness so people don't fall for ruse....can support me?
    
    email me at eunicechialim at hotmail dot com thanks!
    
    AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 1:32 AM
    
    There are too many scams in Singapore. I have tracked most of them in https://www.facebook.com/pages/Singapore-Scams-Awareness/127914440641494?ref=ts&fref=ts Unfortunately, the police doesn't investigate immediately at all. I was also a scam victim and they ignore me and close the case some days after I made the report.
    
    Reply
    
    Cheung Y.K.July 4, 2011 at 7:24 PM
    
    I would like to add on that my mother was also a victim of this unscrupulous spam company. My mom was charged a total of $72 for two months' worth of "service".
    
    When we discovered the extra charges called M1 up in the first month, they just acted clueless and offeredus no help whatsoever, except to tell us to "just pay" the charges. In the end, we had to write an email to Teracom threatening to report them for charging unsolicited so-called "service" before they send my mom a text message asking if she wished to terminate their "service". And even after she confirmed the termination, the Teracomm charges of $36 appeared on the subseqent bill ! My mom has stopped usig M1 since and she is adamant on not paying that outstading $72 for the two months' of "service". She has called M1 to lodge a complaint and yet nothing had been done about this.
    
    My mom tried to call Consumer's Association of Singapore for help but according to her, they weren't very polite or helpful.
    
    This is so unfar ! Is there anywhere that we can report this to?
    Reply
    
    Cheung Y.K.July 4, 2011 at 7:25 PM
    
    I would like to add on that my mother was also a victim of this unscrupulous spam company. My mom was charged a total of $72 for two months' worth of "service".
    
    When we discovered the extra charges called M1 up in the first month, they just acted clueless and offeredus no help whatsoever, except to tell us to "just pay" the charges. In the end, we had to write an email to Teracom threatening to report them for charging unsolicited so-called "service" before they send my mom a text message asking if she wished to terminate their "service". And even after she confirmed the termination, the Teracomm charges of $36 appeared on the subseqent bill ! My mom has stopped usig M1 since and she is adamant on not paying that outstading $72 for the two months' of "service". She has called M1 to lodge a complaint and yet nothing had been done about this.
    
    My mom tried to call Consumer's Association of Singapore for help but according to her, they weren't very polite or helpful.
    
    This is so unfar ! Is there anywhere that we can report this to?
    Reply
    
    Replies
    
    gohFebruary 6, 2012 at 2:19 PM
    
    Hi, Me too got scam by this company, why do our IDA not investigating this company.
    BTW I had submitted a report to the police. Even referring them to this site.
    
    AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 6:39 AM
    
    Host this up in Singapore PM facebook and all other minister or MP facebooks and see whether all of us can get their attentions.
    http://caveat-emptor-singapore.blogspot.sg/2011/02/response-to-spam-e-mail-leads-to-mobile.html#!/2011/02/response-to-spam-e-mail-leads-to-mobile.html
    
    Reply
    
    BEAUCOUPSeptember 7, 2011 at 12:23 AM
    
    It also happened to my husband M1 bill, charged on 2nd month. Will lodge a report to police tomorrow. Talked to M1 customer sevice officer but he could not check the details billing so M1 cannot do much, only said he will talk to Teracomm.
    
    PLEASE EVERYONE, we could all stop this mobile phones service scam.
    Reply
    
    AnonymousOctober 3, 2011 at 1:07 PM
    
    We are another victim of this cheating company, Teracomm. Our M1 bill today shows a $90 charge by this Teracomm under my teen son's phone no. When my husband called this company, they were rude and didn't care and said go ahead to report to police. Although my husband asked them to stop charging, after reading all your comments, i am not even sure if next month there will be another charge of $90. other than reporting to police, how can we stop these kind of unfair charging to consumers???
    Reply
    
    ShockedOctober 15, 2011 at 12:16 AM
    
    I'm another victim of this Teracomm scam. Got a shock when I received my M1 bill charging me for value-added services of $48 for 16 accesses of I don't even know what. Can't get hold of this Teracomm company now as it's late. After reading all the previous posts, I think I'll face the same problem. Did anybody pay the dubious value-added charges made to them?
    Reply
    
    ShockedOctober 15, 2011 at 12:22 AM
    
    I'm another victim of this Teracomm scam in my M1 bill. Just received my M1 bill. Besides my normal charges, got a charge of $48 for some 16 accesses of I don't even know what. I haven't even heard of Teracomm till now,on my M1 bill. Like all you guys, M1 just claimed it's a Third party merchant and they can't check what the charges are about. After reading all the previous posts here, I think I'll face the same problem when I call Tercomm. Can't get the company now as it's late. Did anybody pay the dubious charges made on their M1 bills?
    Reply
    
    AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 5:19 PM
    
    My low educated aunty was victim. She replied the sms from Teracomm. This month M1 charges her $12 for 4 sms. Just now I questioned Teracomm on phone. This scam company replied it is your responsible & no refund. I have decided to file complaint to CASE, M1 & police. Thanks.
    
    Why doesn't Singapore government talk to Teracomm?
    Reply
    
    AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 8:59 PM
    
    M1, Singtel and StarHub maybe is a related mobile company of making this kind of Scam money.
    To understand all this scam click here:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=related
    !!!!!!!!
    
    Witness and Victim Complaint
    Click here to see all the witness and victim complaint:
    
    http://caveat-emptor-singapore.blogspot.com/2011/02/response-to-spam-e-mail-leads-to-mobile.html
    
    http://scamoftheday.com/wordpress/2010/08/15/congratulations-dear-lucky-winner-in-asia-pacific-2010-winning-notification
    
    http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?p=59605811
    
    http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1776588
    
    http://www.grumbletext.co.uk/vt.php?t=1247&start=100&subj=complaints+RT-King%26gt%3B+3+new+sound+effects+are+ready+for+you.+Get+new+r+complaint
    
    Asia Pacific:
    26A Temple Street, 058565 Singapore
    Email: office@teracomm.com.sg
    This company is a cheating scams using this web page ( www.ggole.com )
    
    On 20-10-2011, the Pop-up ads: ( www.ggole.com ) On my computer Internet Explorer.
    This company is cheating scam on me about give aways to Win a ipad to join the game on this 7545 4 SMS ( Time: 11:23pm ) !!!
    Before I join the game, They didn't say anything to me will charged $3.00 per SMS on the reply !!!
    Nobody can understand this kind of shot fonts ( SGD3 ) that reply me.
    And no ( dollar sign ) show on this SMS !!!
    
    Detail of this SMS question game that show in my phone:
    SPEED Question for 1000 pts – HURRY, u have 3min remaining! What is the calling code for Singapore? 1= +66 2= +65. TXT 1 or 2 to 75454! SGD3
    
    I have check my total SMS on this no. 7545 4 is only 26 SMS only.
    But telephone operator of this Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd company telling lies I have 70 SMS will charged me $200.
    And did call them on this number: 6631 9331 not to charged me of this Scam, but the company don’t want to do anything about it.
    It show many people fall into this Scam too, on Singtel, StarHub and M1.
    I have complaining to M1 operators no use, and M1 Operators CANNOT DO ANYTHING!!
    The government laws must look into this case to answer the public of Singapore.
    Maybe this is a related crime between all the mobile company of making this kind of Scam money.
    These are as good as daylight robbery. What if those uncle and aunties dunno how to read bills, alot of them will be con!!
    I really don't want to pay for this kind of SMS Scam.
    Reply
    
    AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 9:01 PM
    
    M1, Singtel and StarHub maybe is a related mobile company of making this kind of Scam money.
    To understand all this scam click here:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=related
    Reply
    
    AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 11:44 PM
    
    M1, Singtel and StarHub maybe is a related mobile company of making this kind of Scam money.
    
    To understand all this scam go to this website:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=related
    
    You all have to file complaint to IDA,CASE, M1 & police.
    
    And link all this case with all this Witness and Victim Complaint website.
    
    http://caveat-emptor-singapore.blogspot.com/2011/02/response-to-spam-e-mail-leads-to-mobile.html
    
    http://scamoftheday.com/wordpress/2010/08/15/congratulations-dear-lucky-winner-in-asia-pacific-2010-winning-notification
    
    http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?p=59605811
    
    http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1776588
    
    http://www.grumbletext.co.uk/vt.php?t=1247&start=100&subj=complaints+RT-King%26gt%3B+3+new+sound+effects+are+ready+for+you.+Get+new+r+complaint
    
    The government laws must look into this case to answer the public of Singapore.
    Reply
    
    showteJanuary 23, 2012 at 4:16 PM
    
    i also facing this problem on my starhub mobile today. i answered and replied the 22 questions sent by 75454. so what should i do from now. pls give me some advice.
    Reply
    
    AnonymousMarch 16, 2012 at 4:58 PM
    
    Wow.. I didnt know the scams started a long way back. I checked my bill for March and yes, there are 12 "äccesses" on Teracom. It made no sense. Neither did I play any games that popped out, nor did I request any SMS services. M1 couldnt even solve the matter, saying that Teracom was a third party.
    
    There was no warning whatsoever, it's a scam!
    
    Where do i go to report this?
    Reply
    
    AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 5:16 PM
    
    I'm a recent victim. Sending only one text message costs me 12 dollars. If Teracomm notifies the user about the rate in advance, I believe no one with consciousness will ever send this kind of message to them. It's undoubtedly Daytime Robbery!
    
    It's even more unbelievable that this obvious scam happens in Singapore, and Singtel helps them to collect money!!!
    Reply
    
    HO SIEW MINGApril 25, 2012 at 7:46 AM
    
    I got sucked by Teracomm for SGD15 and I've no idea what's happening. What kind of email they sent so that can prevent this happened. Anybody complaint to CASE or IDA? Please help.
    Reply
    
    IHMay 16, 2012 at 9:33 PM
    
    This Teracomm scam must be stopped!
    So many innocent victims got scammed.
    I was charged $798 for SMS game after Teracomm sent me a request for samsung smart phone survey. Without knowing that I will be charged for the game, and to win an ipad as bait, I played along till I suspected something was not right as the questions kept repeating and I stopped but they tried to get me to continue playing and from then on I simply ignored them.
    I have already approached Starhub twice and they have written in to Teracomm to give me an explanation!
    I really dont want to pay for such scam!
    Please advise as to the recourse I can take to get Teracomm waive the bill!
    Thanks.
    Reply
    
    Replies
    
    LKMay 30, 2012 at 2:20 PM
    
    I was also recently conned. I got charged $12.00 on my 21May2012 bill by StarHub who is my service provider.
    
    I called Teracomm, and the answer is she would apply waiver for me for the $9 sign-up fees as well as terminating the "service"...which i understand is sms'es me to win a chance for a prize (scam of course).
    
    But i would have to pay the $3 which was my first response charge. I would have to wait till next bill to see the waiver on StarHub bill.
    
    I think I would make a police report.
    
    Reply
    
    AnonymousJune 21, 2012 at 10:50 PM
    
    wow liao... just saw them charge me $54.... siow liao..
    so how to get my money back?
    Reply
    
    AnonymousJune 22, 2012 at 8:00 PM
    
    My experience with Teracomm has really opened my eyes – there are really companies out there that hide behind a legal front and charges exorbitant fees for low value services!!!
    
    I had been blindly paying for many months, not realizing the cost was charged through my phone bills and that my phone bills were settled via GIRO. It was only after 6 months that I noticed a strange item on my bill and upon investigation, realized that I’ve been charged a total of $600 over the last 6 months for services I never even used!!!
    
    For those aggrieved and plan to raise this to Teracomm, my advice is DON’T. Their customer service is horrible!!! My case officer was a lady name Vanessa. Throughout the entire discussion, her manner was rude and harsh, and the best thing is… she doesn’t care!!! This is definitely the worst customer service I’d ever encounter. There is no etiquette in my conversation with her, she is constantly cutting me off, can’t wait to hang up, always beating round the bush and keep going round in circles. At some point I became curious and asked where she is from, and she insisted that she is a local Singaporean.
    However, from the slang, I’m certain she isn’t . So there you have it, Teracomm has outsourced their customer service, and from the looks of it, probably the cheapest they can find!!
    
    My recommendation is to work this through your phone company. Starhub had help me tremendously in working this claim through Teracomm.
    Though in the end I didn’t manage to recover all the money I’ve lost, I did recover some. And without Starhub assisting, probably would recover none.
    
    I’m surprised that such companies exist in Singapore, and has not yet been shut down. Someone should raise this up and have the authorities look into their practices!! Looking at the chain of posts here, so many has been scam by them, and I’m sure there are many more who are suffering in silence. Teracomm cannot be allowed to carry on!!!!!
    Reply
    
    Bamboo TanAugust 31, 2012 at 10:07 PM
    
    I am also a victim on 14 July and was asked to pay $189 through Starhub. I immediately cancelled my giro payment and pay only my monthly mobile subscription. Not sure what Starhub and Terracomm is going to do. Will wait and see. Perhaps all of us should write to PMO office since all the other channels are useless.
    Reply
    
    AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 2:01 PM
    
    This is really ridiculous, how can our telcos partner with scammers and make us pay for services that we did not use. I received my bill through my email today and notice a big bill of SGD138 being charged by a company called MFusion-Bmobil Pte Ltd (call them at 66319331 for enquires) - (maybe Teracom has changed name). When i call M1 to verify what is that for, all the CS can tell me is to call the service provider to check and M1 will cancel the premium service associated to my phone number for now onwards, what is call premium service by the way and when did I sign up. How can the Telcos be collecting money for companies without doing the due diligent when we are already paying exorbitant subscription charges in the first place not to mention the 24 months contract we are tied down with. To make it worse, we have to waste our time to chase for an answer and get our money back. I am quite sure that telcos must have a cut with the charges since it is a SMS service. From the thread, I can see that this has been ongoing for quite a while and why aren’t the relevant authorities like IDA, CASE etc taking any action??????
    
    IT
    Reply
    
    AnonymousDecember 27, 2012 at 8:06 PM
    
    I experience the same thing recently. That woman was rude and challenged me to go ahead and lodge any complaint I like. Is there anyway to get these people punished. Charges from my bill shows that the company is BMobil.
    
    Folks out there, we need to come together and do something!!!
    Reply
    
    AnonymousFebruary 18, 2013 at 10:21 AM
    
    I also got scammed by Bmobil Ptd limited.
    It appeared on my mobile suddenly under: "Premium services".
    So far they have scammed me for sgd 24 - but I believe the bill be even higher.
    
    Bmobil Ptd Limited is a completed SCAM !!
    
    Call you singtel or starhub and terminate all premium services.
    Reply
    
    AnonymousFebruary 25, 2013 at 11:01 AM
    
    Hi, I have just got conned. Got 5 SMS and when i called bmobil, they said they will just stop. and challenged me to come to their office in ubi crescent. said i have been charged 15 SGD
    Reply
    
    AnonymousMarch 15, 2013 at 3:15 AM
    
    My son too just got conned 48 SGD which the bill is under my name. Since Amos Lee posted in 2011.it's quite a long time, I wonder what the Authority do
    Reply
    
    consumerMarch 19, 2013 at 12:26 PM
    
    Beware! This bunch of Bulgaria crooks have changed name to ALLTERCO. I have spend the whole morning talking to Singtel, CASE and IDA, but not much help also. Good luck to consumers!!
    Reply
    
    AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 3:27 AM
    
    this is the fault of IDA. they refused to implement stringent approval procedures for premium charging. the mobile operators are at fault also. even indonesia has overhauled their system and singapore is still turning a blind eye. just to push up their revenue, mobile operators are turning a blind eye to it. those IDA people, all sleeping. this is how the government agencies and related companies suck the money out of the people
    Reply
    
    AnonymousApril 6, 2013 at 2:57 AM
    
    Me too!!! Being charged $60 in recent bill for nothing.... imagine how much they have conned!
    Reply
    
    AnonymousFebruary 25, 2014 at 10:36 PM
    
    #13
    daristan
    Senior Member
    
    Join Date: Jan 2000
    Posts: 2,493
    https://m.facebook.com/mobile1/posts/10151257393671185
    Please ensure your mobile phone line has barrier service from your operator specially you are getting a new line, the service is so easily trick that most victims will only aware when they see the operator statement and easily hit more than $100. These people are all well educated and been user of smart phone, I hope somebody will brought this up maybe to IDA and ban this type of service or set every phone to be have barrier service by default. I am in a position that I wouldn't do so. Earning money is not wrong but the channel of doing so must be respectful.
    Reply
    
    70 Responses to “Have you won an ipad recently?”
    
    Kwang Says:
    October 21, 2011 at 7:49 PM
    
    Click here:
    
    http://complainsg.blogspot.com/2011/10/teracomm-asia-pacific-pte-ltd-company.html
    
    Asia Pacific:
    26A Temple Street, 058565 Singapore
    Email: office@teracomm.com.sg
    This company is a cheating scams using this web page (http://www.ggole.com )
    
    On 20-10-2011, the Pop-up ads: ( http://www.ggole.com ) On my computer Internet Explorer.
    This company is cheating scam on me about give aways to Win a ipad to join the game on this 7545 4 SMS ( Time: 11:23pm ) !!!
    Before I join the game, They didn’t say anything to me will charged $3.00 per SMS on the reply !!!
    I have check my total SMS on this no. 7545 4 is only 26 SMS only.
    But telephone operator of this Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd company telling lies I have 70 SMS will charged me $200.
    And did call them on this number: 6631 9331 not to charged me of this Scam, but the company don’t want to do anything about it.
    It show many people fall into this Scam too, on Singtel, StarHub and M1.
    I really don’t want to pay for this kind of SMS Scam.
    Please look into my complaint. I have call M1 about this too.
    I’m waiting for your reply.
    
    From: Loh Boon Kwang
    
    This complaint is from Singapore
    
    Reply
    
    Winnie Tan Says:
    November 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM
    
    Hi Mr Loh
    
    Probably we can help each other out on this. can email me @helpfulsoul2102@gmail.com
    
    Reply
    
    Tracie Pang Says:
    July 9, 2012 at 7:52 PM
    
    My 11 yr son just got conned by this scam and racked up $207, he says he did not see anything to tell him he would be charged, all he saw was WIN IPAD! Now I have to pay his bill. They are scamming innocent children . Something should be done about these companies.
    
    Reply
    
    wong Says:
    November 10, 2011 at 2:04 PM
    
    Maybe can contact CASE about this matter in addition to writing in to the telco with a firm insistence that the charges must be reversed.
    
    Reply
    
    Winnie Tan Says:
    November 21, 2011 at 6:27 PM
    
    Hey me too… Was charged SGD222 and I emailed the customer service to seek refund but the lady who called me is so rude and refused to waive the charges. Going to call SingTel tomorrow! I seriously think this is all a scam as all the winners’ points were like millions which is ridiculous!!
    
    Reply
    
    Sinyan Says:
    January 17, 2012 at 11:45 AM
    
    Hi my mother was a victim as well. I called and the philippine lady was so rude and dared to talk back while I’m talking. Who would want to subscribe to free ringtones and games when I can make my own nice ringtones and download free app from apple? It’s ridiculous and I’ve called IDA about this scam and this lady.
    
    Reply
    
    aung myo kyaw Says:
    December 14, 2011 at 11:34 AM
    
    Hi please check for me i win ipot2 right or not?
    
    Reply
    
    show te Says:
    January 23, 2012 at 4:54 PM
    
    me too, i would like to discuss about messages which r sent by 75454 to win prizes.
    i got answered and replied one after one until 22 SMS.
    And then i realized that i have to pay Bill for these SMS.
    Therefore i Stopped answering and not willing to continue.
    I m not willing to pay for that and i willing to out of this game.
    What should i do , pls give me some advice.
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    February 4, 2012 at 7:36 PM
    
    you can call your telco, they may waive the charges sometimes
    
    harexp Says:
    April 13, 2012 at 11:51 PM
    
    Tell the telco you are not paying. Per IDA rules, you need not have to pay and telco should not forward the charge to you until the dispute is resolved.
    Tell telco that you feel this is a scam and insist the the SMS did not explicitly mentioned that you would be charged for answering the quiz. Let telco know that they are responsible as well and request that they carry out further investigations.
    
    I happened to me. The charge was subsequently waived.
    
    Shan Says:
    January 24, 2012 at 11:37 PM
    
    It happened to me. When I saw my son’s bill of S$90, I called M1 to scold them why they were collecting money on behalf of companies which were clearly setting a trap for unsuspecting customers. Basically their text messages are so vague on the charging part. M1 waived this amount and took me out of the so-called database. I also sent in complaints to CASE atsayit@case.org.sg.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    January 24, 2012 at 11:53 PM
    
    You can also email to asas@case.org.sg for misleading advertisements.
    
    Reply
    
    cavinang Says:
    February 3, 2012 at 8:46 PM
    
    Oh no i jus sent about 30plus smses to them i thought it was a few cents only but i didnt noe it was scam means i spent 100 dollars on nothing?
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    February 4, 2012 at 7:32 PM
    
    I agree, M1 does waive the charges sometimes :)
    
    Reply
    
    lu maw Says:
    February 6, 2012 at 10:59 AM
    
    Me too facing the same problem. I didn’t see any chargeable sentence they wrote. But they charge me 200 dollars for all the messages i reply. This is really cheating and they are the big cheater. I willl also complain about this.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    February 6, 2012 at 8:13 PM
    
    Hi all, please write to info@ida.gov.sg to complain. IDA is in charge of this, Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. has cheated a lot of money from a lot people.
    
    Reply
    
    Wee Says:
    February 14, 2012 at 8:21 PM
    
    Hi ,I hv been charge few hundred dollars for that too, is there way to know the am i the winner ? is there a way not to pay , i am veri sad. Pls advice.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    February 14, 2012 at 10:05 PM
    
    It sounds like a scam, all of us should make a police report.
    
    Reply
    
    Jamie Ooi Says:
    February 23, 2012 at 11:38 AM
    
    Got scammed into these as well, when I start getting msgs that end with a “SGD3″, I quickly called the number given (66319331) and stopped the subscription. The cancellation was smooth and quick, the operator was helpful and polite – although I was told that I’ve been charged for SGD9… It’s a small price to pay though to quit this scam fast!
    
    Reply
    
    beentherebefore Says:
    April 13, 2012 at 11:57 PM
    
    As a matter of principle, you should not pay. Tell you telco that you are not paying for the presume scam and ask them to investigate. As long as you have informed, telco should not forward the charge to you and you can don’t pay until the dispute is resolved as per IDA rules.
    
    Reply
    
    Logo Design Galaxy Says:
    March 19, 2012 at 12:10 AM
    
    Logo Design Galaxy…
    
    [...]Have you won an ipad recently? « Crystalake[...]…
    
    Reply
    
    Spring Says:
    March 23, 2012 at 1:28 AM
    
    My dad has also recently fallen victim to this scam as well with the same company mentioned Teracomm Asia. The fillipino lady took my call when I contacted the company and she was very rude, she buds in when I try to speak, she seems interested in only maintaining their position to offer NO waiver and shows no empathy on the situation at all throughout the conversation. The conversation with her was extremely unpleasant.
    
    It left me an impression that she was probably trained to take such calls. (Seems like they are expecting such complains) I was suspicious and did a google search before I found this link and realise that my dad is not the only victim.
    
    We are currently still disputing the charges as we feel victimised and this is unfair. We will be taking this up directly with IDA.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    March 23, 2012 at 9:46 AM
    
    I wonder whether it can be taken up to the police or report to the press.
    
    Reply
    
    gopikaveri Says:
    March 26, 2012 at 1:09 PM
    
    this is pure scam, i saw this when iam browsing youtube site, i thougt it is legitimate, it showed me this is survey from youtube and can win ipad. i wasted my money 25SGD, this is scam surprised how they used youtube logo, also shame that the local telcos supporing it.
    
    Reply
    
    nearlyavictim Says:
    April 14, 2012 at 12:07 AM
    
    You have the right not to pay through your telco as long as the telco is informed about the dispute, as per IDA rules. No point taling to the philipino lady, she is probably an employee.
    Communicate with your telco, inform them that they have the responsibility to protect your interest, besides collecting monthly bills. Express you strong opinion about this case to them. Asked them to follow up, which I am not sure whether they would.
    
    After many rounds of emails and initial “good wil” gesture from my telco of reduced charge, which I refused to accept,
    I finally got a complete waiver.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    April 14, 2012 at 10:24 AM
    
    This was exactly what I did, I literally scolded M1. Teracomm Asia cannot take our money unless telco takes it from us first. So I scolded M1 how dared they helped Teracomm Asia to take my money and immediately they waived my $90+ charges and unsubscribed the “service”. No need to be nice to them, I am sure they get a cut from Teracomm Asia.
    
    Shan Says:
    April 19, 2012 at 5:51 PM
    
    You should not pay at all. Don’t bother to call Teracomm Asia , but call your telco and ask them to stop the service and they cannot charge you for that. IDA is taking this seriously and they have forwarded my complaint to M1. Now telco is providing barring service for this type of sms, the barring service is completely free. Call your telco and go for it.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    April 19, 2012 at 5:53 PM
    
    Keep complaining to IDA and your telco. As there are so many complaints, they will do something about it.
    
    Reply
    
    Mayvictim Says:
    May 29, 2012 at 2:38 PM
    
    I am just like you guys – another victim to this whole scam. It is really so sickening and I hope that the authority will look into this matter seriously to put a stop so that innnocent people will not fall into the trap. On May 7, 2012 My internet pops congratulating me that I have been selected amongst hundreds of people to participate in a short survey and stand a chance to win an iPad. This is really unethical and definitely a scam to cheat the unsuspected customers. I realized something was incorrect as the survery seems non ending and not as short as they so caimed. And, that’s when I noticed a tiny SGD3 at the end of the SMS. Who would have noticed the SGD3 at the end. I immediately stopped as I felt something is really wrong. Then I received and SMS telling me that they have not received anymore of my answers and that I have scored 219,1000 pts and asked me not to throw it all away and asked me to continue. I SMS back the number 79191 informing them that I have realized that its a scam and I do not want to continue and will not agree to any charges as I have been tricked into participating. I did not get a response from them so I called 66319331 the next day but just like you guys experienced, the person on the other end (Vanessa) was not only rude but also refuses to waive the charges. I have just received my SingTel bill and noticed I have been charged by Terracom Asia S$225 for this. I called SingTel but they said they could not do anything as its a third party. I am not happy with this response and will take your advice to write in to IDA to lodge a complaint and hopefully, will be able to get back my money because my bill is on GIRO and therefore its already deducted from my bank. I welcome any other advice anyone can give to help me get back my money.
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    June 9, 2012 at 7:37 PM
    
    While it is true sometimes that telcos cannot reverse the charges, they may waive off the charges (absorb the losses) out of goodwill for the client, do talk to your telco again
    
    Reply
    
    Rakesh Says:
    May 30, 2012 at 6:42 PM
    
    Same here, i got 570$ bill from Starhub. Spoke to Teracomm, they were not ready to waive charges. Reported to IDA and now waiting response from IDA
    
    Reply
    
    Jin Says:
    June 2, 2012 at 1:25 PM
    
    It is an daylight robbery! How dare Singtel may do this?
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    June 2, 2012 at 4:49 PM
    
    Call Starhub also, IDA direction is that telco cannot charge you
    when there is a dispute.
    
    Reply
    
    ness Says:
    June 18, 2012 at 10:56 PM
    
    My daughter is a victim too. when i received the bill, was surprised to see a charge of $75 bill from Teracomm Asia. i called singtel and was told that they are just collecting money on behalf of a 3rd party and they cannot waive the charges. My daughter was telling me that she clicked on a link and a pop-up screen came out and asked her to click on either the ”ipad 2” or ”iphone 4s” icon in order to acess the web site for information. Then she was asked to provide her mobile no and helped to do a short survey. After she provided the mobile no, she received numerous SMS questions. she thought it was part of the survey. i think it is a scam and leading a child into such trap. Then i called Teracomm Asia and the lady was so rude and she seemed to have received many such complaints and immediately told me that they cannot waive the charge. i felt disappointed with SingTel that they are not doing anything about it and continue to collect money from their customers without checking their ‘partner’. i am afraid more people will get cheated. What can the consumer do? sigh… i will call singtel again to complain further about Teracom Asia and Playmo.sg
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    June 19, 2012 at 3:09 PM
    
    Tell others about your experience in facebook,http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teracomm-Daylight-Robbery/311418038949613
    
    Reply
    
    elaine Says:
    July 4, 2012 at 5:07 AM
    
    It all started with an online form that pop out of nowhere, then I filled in my details. Received sms, and replied with answers, then month end bill shocker. Now, I still receive their emails from a person called Jane or something. They even put testimonials and happy faces of prize winners. But all the sms charges are more than enough to buy an ipad. Also, forgot to add that they even let me choose if I want an iphone, ipad, or ipod.
    
    Reply
    
    Rakesh Says:
    July 15, 2012 at 4:02 PM
    
    I did not pay and i am not paying so finally they agreed to waive all my charges -so keep fighting, involve telcos, IDA until you get justise and all charges waived
    
    Reply
    
    janel Says:
    August 22, 2012 at 9:31 PM
    
    What Is the telc number? im one of the victim too!!!
    
    suki Says:
    July 18, 2012 at 9:39 AM
    
    at first i received the bill $18 , i showed this stupid charge. i call to starhub to ban this company to charge me. the next month $138 come again??? my bill auto pay by credit card. can tell me what should i do now/ repor t to police? write to mp? IDA? case? or just go direct to Mr Lee Hsien long facebook? we should stop this scam .. if not more victim giving our hard earn money to this scam company????
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    July 18, 2012 at 3:52 PM
    
    Go to PM facebook sounds a good idea.
    
    Reply
    
    ckh Says:
    August 10, 2012 at 12:26 AM
    
    Dear All,
    I was also scammed. Don’t pay, call your telco and shout at them, how can they cooperate with the scammer to cheat our money. In just one phone call, my telco waived everything. I complaint to IDA to take action on the scammer but they don’t want, keep on siding the scammer, really disappointed with the regulator.
    
    Reply
    
    ckh Says:
    August 10, 2012 at 11:30 PM
    
    Dear All,
    I have complained to IDA, but they seemed to be trying their best to protect the scammer, unbelievable.. I will lodge a report with CAD (Commercial Affair Department) against the scammer and IDA. But if i do it alone, they may think i am just a disgruntled customer. There are strength in numbers. If you are one of the victim of Teracomm, pls send me an email (chan238@hotmail.com) with your full name and contact number. If you have not lodge a complaint with IDA, pls also do so. Although they will not do anything, i will show CAD that so many victims have complained to IDA but still they ignore. I will compile a list of victims to show the magnitude of this scam.
    
    Reply
    
    Reg chua Says:
    August 13, 2012 at 10:40 PM
    
    hi, I just got caught in this scam and as I type, my phone bill is being deducted $24 last month and now $12. I called to stop already but nothing and they didn’t even refund.
    
    What should I do to get my money back?
    
    richard loh Says:
    August 14, 2012 at 12:03 AM
    
    shit i got scammed as well. loh cher teck 96436687
    
    Reply
    
    ckh Says:
    August 16, 2012 at 3:29 PM
    
    Richard, Reg Chua, don’t pay, call yr telco, shout at them, how can they cooperate with the scammer to cheat your money ? I was so angry and scolded my telco badly, in one phone call they waived off everything, never compromise. You know why they waived off everything for me ? Because they know their hands are dirty. Remember, you are scammed, you are the victim. Write to IDA also, but don’t expect them to do anything. Richard, i will add your name in the victim list, i am compiling a list. Reg Chua, pls send me your full name and phone number to chan238@hotmail.com.
    
    Reply
    
    Fred Says:
    September 27, 2012 at 4:18 PM
    
    I got conned even I did not do anything as described by you guys, why? the mobile I was charged with is the mobile that I was not using anymore. And you were all right, the telco and terra operators are rude. This is a scam and I was wondering if it is even legal for the telco to collect in behalf of 3rd Party? what a very unsecure network.
    And the worst thing is I am charge by Terracomm and when I called them – B-Mobile is the name of the company.
    Was it even legal to do that ?
    What is IDA doing about it – to telco and the company?
    
    Reply
    
    gw Says:
    October 13, 2012 at 10:13 PM
    
    i did this playmo.sg survey to download one game and after sending 41 msg i realise that it charge me 3sgd per msg and i had not seen my bill list this month what to do?
    
    Reply
    
    raine Says:
    October 22, 2012 at 1:41 PM
    
    Hi all, my sister was one of the victim too. was googling about this company and saw this thread going on here. Other than teracomm, this month there was bmobile as well. First 2 round I called starhub, the operator did not tell me I have the choice to stop the service, only telling me to wait for the call. After waiting for 2 weeks, the bill came and we were charged again for the “premium services”.
    
    Called starhub the 3rd time, thats when the operator told me we have to choice to stop the service. By then the bill had already chuck up to $100 for those unused services.
    
    Bmobile called me just now and said that their messages did clearly state that its a subscription. but then teracomm one did not. In this case, can I request for waiver for both company? Or just teracomm?
    
    Felt so cheated and scamming those innocent consumers especially teenagers whom does not have the ability to differentiate whats a scam and whats not.
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    October 22, 2012 at 9:23 PM
    
    You can try requesting waiver for both the companies, as for first time, I think telecom companies would usually waive off after review
    
    Reply
    
    WZ Says:
    October 22, 2012 at 10:48 PM
    
    my friend also got cheated as she didn’t realized that she has to pay for sms. she was playing it just for time pass but next day singtel told me that my bill has already reached more than 1000SGD. Couldn’t believe that singtel is with such scammer. they should protect their subscriber’s interest and ban such things. such a bad things to cheat on innocent people for their earned money. I am really very upset about it.
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    December 6, 2012 at 7:53 AM
    
    more than 1000SGD?! really?! hope by now, SingTel has waived it off already!
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    October 24, 2012 at 8:53 AM
    
    Just heard that their prizes have changed from ipads/iphones to supermarket vouchers, as seen below:
    “We are happy to announce that you are one of our lucky potential winners to our prize:
    $1,000 worth of Supermarket Vouchers for you & your family from
    Sheng Shiong, NTUC Fairprice, or Cold Storage!”
    
    Reply
    
    raine Says:
    October 25, 2012 at 4:24 PM
    
    Just found out that bmobil and teracomm is the same company. I really can’t believe such deceiving and misleading adverts are allowed in Singapore.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    October 26, 2012 at 6:12 PM
    
    I have notified my facebook friends regarding this thread so that they will not become the next victim.
    
    Reply
    
    wei Says:
    October 28, 2012 at 4:16 AM
    
    How about Planet 49 Asia Pacific?
    
    Reply
    
    Anon9870 Says:
    November 3, 2012 at 7:10 PM
    
    I have also tried it. I wanted to unsuscribe by typing ‘Hi I want to unsuscribe to the Playmo.sg’ But all they replied was ‘CONGRATS!’ and then they stopped sending. Lucky I did not reply them again or they will ‘trigger’ the bill of mine. :(
    
    Reply
    
    Alvin Says:
    November 9, 2012 at 3:44 PM
    
    My wife was just hit with this scam too. However, she deleted the SMS once she received. However, the Starhub hub bill still shows the charge. Called the Starhub to report this charge as dispute amount. The phone officer said will get the billing dept to call me in 3 working days. Hahaha again. But one point he highlighted is that we could call in to request blocking 3rd party service for the mobile numbers. For those who do not want 3rd party services and wants to avoid such scam in future, we should start to block. On the other hand, the more people block 3rd party services, the more the Telco will not support such services. Hope I am right and sharing my thought.
    
    Reply
    
    vectra Says:
    November 22, 2012 at 10:15 AM
    
    Hi,
    I just got spam by playmo on my laptop. It just keep opening new tab on my Mozilla Firefox. When you close one tab, it open up another tab.
    
    Anyone know how to stop this crap?
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    December 6, 2012 at 7:49 AM
    
    It could be a cookie, may need to clear your cache
    
    Reply
    
    ANgry Girl Says:
    November 23, 2012 at 1:16 AM
    
    OMGOSH I just hate paying for something I didnt use or something that I was cheated to do! ANyone knows Bmobil’s number? Am angry with Starhub because they had a im-just-a-parttimer-heck care attitude.
    
    Reply
    
    crystalake Says:
    December 6, 2012 at 7:58 AM
    
    Do call Starhub again, there is not much point in calling Bmobil..
    
    Reply
    
    alvin Says:
    December 6, 2012 at 1:36 AM
    
    my son kena scammed again. even though he ignored all sms sent by the unscrupulous company that preys on the young. Scolded Singtel over the past experiences and still it has happened again. These people are really disgusting…why can’t they make money the honest way? Just stick to your guns with the telco. Don’t pay so that they will one day wake up! damn scammers wasting my time & caused so much duress.
    
    Reply
    
    Cheong Says:
    December 26, 2012 at 8:54 PM
    
    My dad recently also got cheated around $700 plus. Can any kind soul here advise me how to proceed.
    
    Reply
    
    Shan Says:
    December 26, 2012 at 11:29 PM
    
    Dun bother to call the scamming company. Call your telco immediately, scold them as they r collecting $ on behalf of these companies. Tell them u would complain to IDA. Next is to ask telco to stop sending all these promotional sms. make sure everyone in your family unsubscribe all these so called services.
    
    Reply
    
    The Optimistic Pessimist Says:
    January 4, 2013 at 10:13 AM
    
    I can’t believe how many people still fall for this type of “scams”. If they don’t try to earn freebies, why would they even be charged in the first place?
    
    Reply
    
    RGE Says:
    February 2, 2013 at 1:07 PM
    
    we also got scammed by bmobile, my son was using his iphone when started answering set of triivia questions when reaching a certain score will win an ipad or iphone he too doesnt know answering the questions has a charge of 3sgd, the thing is his simcard is only for data receiving and the message enters via icloud message…my husband was surprised he recieved a call from singtel advicing us if we are aware of such activity since his bill was up to 500+, we called singtel hotline but ofcourse they just want us pay the said charges. we tried calling bmobile but cannot be reached, bmobile then called my husband and said they will not waive the charges. as we read this forum we will also demand singtel not to charge us with the said amount and will complain to IDA. hope this kind of scam will stop its already been goingon for a year.please give feedback on the status of your complaints
    
    Reply
    
    Anonymouse Says:
    February 3, 2013 at 10:58 AM
    
    Just stop paying all fees(ok not ALL fees) and call singtel or whatever service provider you are using, refuse to pay for the charges. As someone said, per IDA rules, you don’t have to pay.
    
    Reply
    
    clive Says:
    February 5, 2013 at 2:34 AM
    
    i also got scam, i just wanted to get a download by replying their survey. i understand i need to pay, so i willing to pay for the download as it say $9 regristration fees and $3 per sms recieve. after 2 sms, i stop because i notice the page doest not unlock the download for me. The worst part is they keep sending sms and indicate $3 at the end. i call up M1 immdiently to tell them and i’m willing to pay what i reply only. m1 immdiently barried the service for me and tell me to call in again once i recieve my bill with the charges and try to wavied the uncessracy charges.
    
    Reply
    
    Visitar Pagina Says:
    July 10, 2013 at 10:12 AM
    
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    Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you
    
    Reply
    
    hostgator discount code Says:
    July 21, 2013 at 2:35 PM
    
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    Reply
    
    8 people like this.
    
    SingTel Hi Eugene, AT-ATLC is an External Content Provider that provides mobile services such as weekly lucky draw competitions. In order to block the services offered by the content providers, you will need to activate the Premium Rate Services (PRS) Barring by dialing *25625. Alternatively, you may also submit your account details to us via www.singtel.com/fb-contact-us and we will assist you. - Ruzaini
    
    December 23, 2013 at 4:29pm · Like
    
    Eugene Peck It has already been barred for the mobile number in question. Right now, it is more of damage control than prevention.
    
    December 23, 2013 at 4:34pm · Edited · Like
    
    Eugene Peck My question put forth to Singtel is this:"Are you still going to continue and let them do this? And let your customers suffer?" There will be more of these cases in the future, I guarantee it.
    
    December 23, 2013 at 4:36pm · Like · 2
    
    SingTel Hi Eugene, thank you for your feedback and findings on this issue. We will certainly share this with the relevant department for their consideration. - Ruzaini
    
    December 23, 2013 at 5:08pm · Like
    
    Qi Lin Phan Hi SingTel, a quick couple of questions: Are Premium Rate Services offered by content providers an opt-in or opt-out service? And without the user proactively subscribing to the service (no matter the service they provide), is it legal for our personal information (in this case, our mobile number) to be accessible to third party mobile service providers?
    
    December 23, 2013 at 7:08pm · Like · 1
    
    Albert Archwamety First thing first, why we need barring service. If one do not subscribe, why should one pay for the charges? All these i call it dispute. I hate you Singtel.
    
    December 24, 2013 at 9:31am · Like · 1
    
    Jerryl Pat @Singtel even if we did subscribe to the service I think it's reasonable for us to be aware of the company and the cost of subscription. This does not seem to be the case. I and many other similar victims have no clue what and when did we subscribe to this, this is ridiculous.
    
    January 18 at 2:00pm · Like · 1
    
    Jerryl Pat Singtel if you consider them legit, you guys should hire them and let them help you sell subscriptions, you are going to need it after more and more people leave your service.
    
    January 18 at 2:00pm · Like
    
    Jytte V Nielsen stop this i will send this to the police and this will not be werry good for you and my mobil number will be closed for you and this is 60714322
    
    January 23 at 6:47am · Like
    
    Elaine Tan Hi Eugene, thanks for bringing this up. I just got a shocking bill from this AT ATLC content provider. I assured no actions had been made but the company insisted that I subscribed via sms service. My friend and I are submitting this to CASE as SingTel...See More
    
    February 4 at 6:56pm · Like · 1
    
    Anna Lau I just don't understand why SingTel is consenting to bill its own clients on behalf of third-party service content. We sign contract with service providers like SingTel, Starhub, or M1, but not with any third party content supplier. Legally SingTel can...See More
    
    February 12 at 11:52am · Like
    
    Eugene Peck Hi Singtel, if as you claim, you have no affiliations to this company and do not earn any money from their charges, why are you still allowing them free reign?
    
    February 12 at 12:11pm · Like
    
    Peter Chua Singtel must be concerned as I believed there are many more who are being scammed by this so called PRS company, who on the pretext of offering lucky draws...charged you $25 per week for 5 smses that you don't even receive.
    
    March 3 at 12:11pm · Like · 1
    
    ARip ARiffin what should i do? i've been charged $25 last month...PLEASE HELP ME
    CAN SINGTEL DO SOMETHING ABT THESE...???
    
    April 24 at 8:20pm · Like
    
    Heewoong Tony Choi i got same shit...already paid $200 for nothing... omg...
    
    June 15 at 8:10am · Like
    
    Jin Jia Same problem. Does anyone has a solution for this ?
    
    August 3 at 1:52am · Like
    
    Sc Teo Hi Eugnene. Thanks for sharing. I got scammed as well. Waiting for next level to call me. Call ATLC/Mobile fusion - all same company. They cannot review their physical premise, I suspect if offshore..Sigh. Many singtel customers got cheated. Mine was ...See More
    
    August 14 at 1:22pm · Like
    
    Eugene Peck My call was picked up by a filipino lady. The company seems to be located in Hong Kong. But high chance they are just a sub for bigger scam company in eastern Europe.
    
    August 14 at 1:29pm · Like
    
    Samuel Koh Wow so singtel just choose to shy away from responsibility n response? ??? So much for customer service!!
    
    August 14 at 2:35pm · Like
    
    Andrew Tay Eugene; Sintel needed the money badly that's why they go to this kind of tactic. I hv been charge the same way from one such company using Singtel logo. They are together in this..... I believe...the barring service does not work as they change name & number very quickly.
    
    August 14 at 4:25pm · Like
    
    Kelvin Tay Tats y I left Singhell.....
    
    August 14 at 5:29pm · Like
    
    Sg Man http://complainsg.blogspot.sg/.../regarding-about-sms...
    
    August 29 at 11:45pm · Like
    
    Loh Boon Kwang Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd is a cheating scams company !
    
    September 2 at 1:41pm · Like
    
    Loh Boon Kwang Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd is a cheating scams company ! SMS Scam Contest complaints
    Witness and Victim Complaint
    Click here to see all the witness and victim complaint:http://complainsg.blogspot.sg/.../regarding-about-sms...
    
    Teracomm Asia Pacific Pte Ltd / Allterco Pte Ltd is a cheating scams company !: SMS Scam Contest...
    complainsg.blogspot.com
    
    After so many police report on this scam and IDA, Case and CPIB also not interes...See More
    
    September 2 at 1:42pm · Like · Remove Preview
    
    Eugene Peck I can only hope Singtel does not continue to ignore this.
    
    September 2 at 1:47pm · Like · 1
    
    Andrew Tay Shd repost it to Singtel fb
    
    September 2 at 1:57pm · Like
    
    Frankie Foo this is not the 1st time I read about that company
    
    September 2 at 5:11pm · Like