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Old 02-03-2011, 11:23
thedrewser
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This morning I tried to access the webiste of paddypower bookies on my iPhone. I've done this many times before without any hassle. However, this morning I am diverted to a new screen saying it is an O2 verification screen (I am with o2). It says I have to pass an age verification process. To do this I need to give my credit card details and pay £1, however, it says £2.50 will be added to my mobile bill (I'm on pay monthly).

Now, I've never been asked me for this before, and as far as I am aware, O2 will know my age from my account details, so this leads me to believe it's a scam to get my credit card details.

I've sent a mail to O2 to ask if this is something they do, but am wondering if anyone has encountered this before, and if so, is it a genuine O2 requirement.

Note - the webpage that comes up was just white with black text, no graphics or logos etc.
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Old 02-03-2011, 11:28
thedrewser
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had another look and the site is bango.net/o2av

I reckon it's definately a scam.

Also, a correction, the screen does have an O2 logo and blue stripe on it.
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Old 02-03-2011, 11:29
Darth-Habib
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It's genuine.

You can also go to an o2 store with your drivers license or something else that shows yours Date of Birth and they will lift this restriction.
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Old 02-03-2011, 11:41
thedrewser
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That's outreagous that they want to charge me for information I have already given to them. I'll be phoning customer services demanding they remove this.

Why is it suddenly popping up now, and only on certain websites?
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Old 02-03-2011, 11:56
Hardstyler
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probably a new 02 implementation?
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Old 02-03-2011, 11:59
Staunchy
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It happens on websites that O2 deem should be over 18s only, sites like the Wetherspoons pub chain and Ladbrokes will also be blocked. When I removed the restriction it via the O2 site it didn't cost me anything (I was charged but the amount was refunded in my next statement).

It is an annoyance especially as you say they have your DoB on file. I had been with O2 for years before they added this "protection" to my account some time ago, I believe it's set on new accounts by default but like you I was extremely angry that they decided to restrict my access to sites when in the past I was free to go where I wanted. I would have threatened to leave them if the amendment wasn't free, it's the principle of the thing.
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Old 02-03-2011, 15:11
markrduk
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I don't get why people are upset by this. If they are charging you £1, but crediting £2.50 to your bill you are £1.50 in profit!

I get the logic - many over 18s (i.e. parents) take out contracts in their name for under 18s to use. However, if these kids want to access porn or betting sites, they can just do it via the normal internet - that they can almost certainly access from their bedroom anyway! So I think it is pretty pointless!

£1.50 for taking two mins to fill a form in seems a pretty good deal to me!
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Old 02-03-2011, 15:28
psionic
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Yeah it's legit. Just had to fill in the online form. They remove the block instantly and send you a text. Note you must use a credit card not a debit card.
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Old 02-03-2011, 15:44
thedrewser
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I don't get why people are upset by this. If they are charging you £1, but crediting £2.50 to your bill you are £1.50 in profit!

I get the logic - many over 18s (i.e. parents) take out contracts in their name for under 18s to use. However, if these kids want to access porn or betting sites, they can just do it via the normal internet - that they can almost certainly access from their bedroom anyway! So I think it is pretty pointless!

£1.50 for taking two mins to fill a form in seems a pretty good deal to me!
because putting an extra £1 onto a credit card, if you don't remember to pay it off, costs you interest. yes it's a quid, but it shouldn't be required.

Why is it O2's responsibility to police which sites I visit, surely it's upto the website visited to ensure only over-18s access it.
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Old 02-03-2011, 15:58
johnathome
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o2 have done something to their servers, it's affecting the MVNO's on the o2 network as well.

I've been browsing on my phone for 4 months and it's suddenly come up with this, it's being looked at

http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Upd...nt/td-p/477363
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Old 02-03-2011, 16:00
psionic
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There's a thread on the O2 forums about this. http://forum.o2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56214

Apparently this started being rolled out in November. But seems to be effecting everyone from today.
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Old 03-03-2011, 14:50
Paul@O2
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@thedrewser,

I'd like to confirm that the age verification is genuine and not a scam. To ensure that children are protected from inappropriate content when using the internet on their phones, we require customers to prove they are over 18 before they can use these sites. Access to 18+ rated websites is therefore blocked by default. Customers only have to age verify once.

Yes, you have to be over 18 to sign a Pay Monthly contract with O2. However we know that many parents take out Pay Monthly contracts for their children, so it’s not safe to assume that all Pay Monthly phones are actually being used by adults on a day to day basis.

As Darth-Habib mentioned, you can also get your account verified by going into a store with photographic ID.

As you've mentioned, we credit you £2.50 back, so O2 actually loses £1.50 on each customer that age verifies.

For more information, please see http://j.mp/18Validation

I hope this helps answer some of the questions you've had.

Thanks

Paul
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Old 03-03-2011, 16:47
The Rhydler
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Paul

What you need to do is introduce a declaration for who is going to use the phone. If a parent is taking out a phone contract for a minor, they should legally declare it.

It's nice that in these times of trouble, you can afford to give £1.50 back to people who have proved they are old enough to do what they've been doing for months. You could instead give all the money to charity instead of wasting everybodies time!

I do not have a credit card as I don't want a moronic debt. Why can't I use a debit card for this? Ah yes, because 'under 18's' could have a debit card.

None of this protects minors, I was a minor once and if I wanted to see porn, I'd see porn.

To bring this in, without warning, is ridiculous but indicative of the brazen way you treat the people that keep you in business.
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Old 03-03-2011, 16:55
coolesticeking
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I know all the networks have to do something in order to protect under 18's from getting to sites that are classified as 18+.

But i've found a little problem with this...

Anyone who is 13+ (Or even at a lower age I guess with some of these) can get a Pre-Paid MasterCard and use the service and remove this restriction themselves anyways..

I used my Pre-Paid MasterCard to remove this without issue!
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Old 03-03-2011, 17:11
The Rhydler
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And look at me, 30 this year, having to go and 'prove my age'

A joke! No porn for me tonight!
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Old 04-03-2011, 14:24
thedrewser
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I have managed to get the block lifted by emailing customer services (took a while tough).

However, I don't believe it's O2s job to check ages, that is the responsibility of websites individually.
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Old 07-03-2011, 15:08
alcockell
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It's worse - Carphone Warehouse are also affected - even though the relationship is with *Carphone Warehouse* and not O2.
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