Re: FW: Warning!

["Mark Hetherington" <mark.egroups@xxxxxxx>]

Just t  add a my thoughts t  the discussion on this.=20

1) Premium rate numbers are usually blocked by default on mobile=20
phones so would have to be explicitly turned on before being able t =20
call them instantly protecting most users from a potential problem.

2) Premium rate numbers are registered and can be withdrawn at the=20
slighest violation of the conditions of use such as the one=20
described. Only a few complaints would be enough to justify the=20
number being suspended before it actually affected people.

3) Mobile phone companies can block numbers and in the event of such=20
a scam being real are likely t  very quickly rather than suffer the=20
consequence of customer outrage.=20

4) The =A35 per minute is incorrect. 0900 and 0901 are *up t * 60p per=20
minute with a *ceiling* on the total call charge of =A35, so the only=20
way t  pay such a number =A35 is by actually remaining on the call for=20
8.5 minutes or more.=20

5) Obviously another hoax/email virus/choose your term. In the same=20
way "This message is not SPAM" is an instant way t  recognise=20
SPAM, "Please pass this message on to all your friends" is a
good=20
indication that it is merely a hoax. The advice from most companies=20
on this issue is when you get such a message you do not pass it on=20
since no matter how much your trust your source (friend/colleague=20
etc) they may not have received it from a reliable source.=20

6) The comments that it was on BBC news lend the hoax no credibility=20
since if a hoax successfully propogates it generally makes BBC news.=20
I imagine a future watchdog or news items will have the BBC
"admit"=20
their mistake in a manner as face saving as they can find while=20
probably creating a documentary dedicated to this type of issue as a=20
way t  take the focus off their original statement.=20

7) A person is smart. People are dumb, dangerous, panicky animals.=20
Look how the petrol crisis [sic] caused an actual petrol shortage and=20
food shortages purely due t  panic buying. Look how the Millenium Bug=20
caused similar stupidity. Then foot and mouth. Think how easily it=20
would be t  persuade "people" that a hoax is fact or at least
enough=20
that they dare not take the risk that it is not. This is what these=20
email virii live on.=20


Mark.