A free loyalty camera phone? I smell a rat!

marcouk76 · 11-01-2008, 17:02

I just got a text message sent to my Orange (pays) number saying:

"Orange customer, you may now claim your FREE CAMERA PHONE upgrade for your loyalty. Call now on 020 7153 ****. Offer ends 12th Jan. T&C apply. Opt-out available"

Is this for real?

I tried calling them from a witheld number and it said the name of a company (not Orange) and after a short while a guy with an Indian accent answered asking for my phone number. I said I'd check with Orange and hung up.

cosmo_kramer · 11-01-2008, 17:05

I got the exact same message but haven't phoned the number.

Ricardodaforce · 11-01-2008, 17:14

It's not from Orange. The text says it's from Upgrade Centre. It's a company that will attempt to sign you into a contract.

marcouk76 · 11-01-2008, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce

It's not from Orange. The text says it's from Upgrade Centre. It's a company that will attempt to sign you into a contract.

Thank you Ricardo! I thought as much!!!

Is this not illegal though? I mean, how dare they send me an unsolicited text message?

Finglonga · 11-01-2008, 17:43

Happens all the time, I have phone calls about it as well. I would never call a number in a text message I didn't know though.

marcouk76 · 11-01-2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finglonga

Happens all the time, I have phone calls about it as well. I would never call a number in a text message I didn't know though.

I called from work

and it's witheld!

dj1471 · 11-01-2008, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcouk76

Is this not illegal though? I mean, how dare they send me an unsolicited text message?

It is indeed illegal. It's also pretty misleading, as their texts always say that the offer ends the day after they send you the text, to pressure you into it.

I've previously complained about them and I seem to recall that they were given a telling-off and a fine. Great to see that it made absolutely no difference.

If you're sufficiently annoyed by it, you can complain to the Information Commissioner.

cressida100 · 12-01-2008, 23:15

A couple of years ago I got a cold call on my mobile talking about my contract (my contract with it was about to end). I just assumed it was 02. They offered me a fab new deal (it sounded too good to be true!) and I said I would think about it and get back to them. Then I phoned 02 to check what was going on - it wasn't them who called but they said it was common place for companies to do this, not reputable ones. I did not call the first guy back but a couple of days later he called again and I said I wasn't interested and was told him that I was annoyed that they cold called me and I suppose I was pretty abrupt and cut him off quickly (I was at work). Anyway he left a REALLY abusive message on my phone, quite threatening, I was going to call the police but could get nothing on dialling 1471 and when I cooled down thought it's not worth the bother.

Lawe13 · 13-01-2008, 17:33

May I remind you all that the mobile industry is unfortunately laden with fraud. I would advise all mobile phone users to be vigilant with speaking to mobile phone operators who are calling you. The easiest way to ensure the are genuine is to ask them for a contact number to return the call and their extension. All legitimate callers will comply, but third parties would not like to do so.

Just don't give any details out unless you are 100% certain the caller is genuine, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Companies are trying to stamp this out, but can only do so with vigilance from users.

FB1969 · 13-01-2008, 20:30

Orange's website gives the following:

"If you get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others."

Found here - www1.orange.co.uk/about/contact/spam/

jackulator · 14-01-2008, 10:48

con ive had this its a high cost recall not from orange at all .

Ricardodaforce · 14-01-2008, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackulator

con ive had this its a high cost recall not from orange at all .

It's a call to a London number by the look of it. We all know it's not Orange though. The call gets routed to an overseas call centre. Or that's what it sounded like when I called it.

jackulator · 14-01-2008, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce

It's a call to a London number by the look of it. We all know it's not Orange though. The call gets routed to an overseas call centre. Or that's what it sounded like when I called it.

its on a list somewere on the net also , i found it when i googled the number ,
free camera phone huh i just recieved my x box elite gift from orange , i gues they could have timed it better lol

Ricardodaforce · 14-01-2008, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackulator

its on a list somewere on the net also , i found it when i googled the number ,
free camera phone huh i just recieved my x box elite gift from orange , i gues they could have timed it better lol

When and where were Orange giving away x-boxes?

jackulator · 14-01-2008, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce

When and where were Orange giving away x-boxes?

picked up an elite along with my sony 810i(which has since been upgraded to a 900 cause it was faulty ) twelve month contract mustve been around last september there was a delay of about two weeks in getting it they ran out and offered me a premier and 50 quid back or i could wait i wasnt in any hurry so i waited it arrived the next week with a years free gold inc

orange panther contract £45 pm

plymouthbloke1974 · 16-01-2008, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce

It's not from Orange. The text says it's from Upgrade Centre. It's a company that will attempt to sign you into a contract.

..... usually with Three.

Bloody con artists ...

11-01-2008, 17:02	#1
marcouk76 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central London Posts: 958	A free loyalty camera phone? I smell a rat! I just got a text message sent to my Orange (pays) number saying: "Orange customer, you may now claim your FREE CAMERA PHONE upgrade for your loyalty. Call now on 020 7153 ****. Offer ends 12th Jan. T&C apply. Opt-out available" Is this for real? I tried calling them from a witheld number and it said the name of a company (not Orange) and after a short while a guy with an Indian accent answered asking for my phone number. I said I'd check with Orange and hung up.

11-01-2008, 17:05	#2
cosmo_kramer Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 568	I got the exact same message but haven't phoned the number.

11-01-2008, 17:14	#3
Ricardodaforce Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alacant Posts: 7,773	It's not from Orange. The text says it's from Upgrade Centre. It's a company that will attempt to sign you into a contract.

11-01-2008, 17:20	#4
marcouk76 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central London Posts: 958	Quote: Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce It's not from Orange. The text says it's from Upgrade Centre. It's a company that will attempt to sign you into a contract. Thank you Ricardo! I thought as much!!! Is this not illegal though? I mean, how dare they send me an unsolicited text message?

11-01-2008, 17:43	#5
Finglonga Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stafford. Posts: 4,706	Happens all the time, I have phone calls about it as well. I would never call a number in a text message I didn't know though.

11-01-2008, 17:47	#6
marcouk76 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central London Posts: 958	Quote: Originally Posted by Finglonga Happens all the time, I have phone calls about it as well. I would never call a number in a text message I didn't know though. I called from work and it's witheld!

11-01-2008, 18:35	#7
dj1471 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 173	Quote: Originally Posted by marcouk76 Is this not illegal though? I mean, how dare they send me an unsolicited text message? It is indeed illegal. It's also pretty misleading, as their texts always say that the offer ends the day after they send you the text, to pressure you into it. I've previously complained about them and I seem to recall that they were given a telling-off and a fine. Great to see that it made absolutely no difference. If you're sufficiently annoyed by it, you can complain to the Information Commissioner.

12-01-2008, 23:15	#8
cressida100 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 3,528	A couple of years ago I got a cold call on my mobile talking about my contract (my contract with it was about to end). I just assumed it was 02. They offered me a fab new deal (it sounded too good to be true!) and I said I would think about it and get back to them. Then I phoned 02 to check what was going on - it wasn't them who called but they said it was common place for companies to do this, not reputable ones. I did not call the first guy back but a couple of days later he called again and I said I wasn't interested and was told him that I was annoyed that they cold called me and I suppose I was pretty abrupt and cut him off quickly (I was at work). Anyway he left a REALLY abusive message on my phone, quite threatening, I was going to call the police but could get nothing on dialling 1471 and when I cooled down thought it's not worth the bother.

13-01-2008, 17:33	#9
Lawe13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 869	May I remind you all that the mobile industry is unfortunately laden with fraud. I would advise all mobile phone users to be vigilant with speaking to mobile phone operators who are calling you. The easiest way to ensure the are genuine is to ask them for a contact number to return the call and their extension. All legitimate callers will comply, but third parties would not like to do so. Just don't give any details out unless you are 100% certain the caller is genuine, it's better to be safe than sorry. Companies are trying to stamp this out, but can only do so with vigilance from users.

13-01-2008, 20:30	#10
FB1969 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: hiding on the backstreets Posts: 1,237	Orange's website gives the following: "If you get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others." Found here - www1.orange.co.uk/about/contact/spam/

14-01-2008, 10:48	#11
jackulator Banned User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,347	con ive had this its a high cost recall not from orange at all .

14-01-2008, 10:58	#12
Ricardodaforce Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alacant Posts: 7,773	Quote: Originally Posted by jackulator con ive had this its a high cost recall not from orange at all . It's a call to a London number by the look of it. We all know it's not Orange though. The call gets routed to an overseas call centre. Or that's what it sounded like when I called it.

14-01-2008, 11:11	#13
jackulator Banned User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,347	Quote: Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce It's a call to a London number by the look of it. We all know it's not Orange though. The call gets routed to an overseas call centre. Or that's what it sounded like when I called it. its on a list somewere on the net also , i found it when i googled the number , free camera phone huh i just recieved my x box elite gift from orange , i gues they could have timed it better lol

14-01-2008, 11:19	#14
Ricardodaforce Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alacant Posts: 7,773	Quote: Originally Posted by jackulator its on a list somewere on the net also , i found it when i googled the number , free camera phone huh i just recieved my x box elite gift from orange , i gues they could have timed it better lol When and where were Orange giving away x-boxes?

14-01-2008, 11:29	#15
jackulator Banned User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,347	Quote: Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce When and where were Orange giving away x-boxes? picked up an elite along with my sony 810i(which has since been upgraded to a 900 cause it was faulty ) twelve month contract mustve been around last september there was a delay of about two weeks in getting it they ran out and offered me a premier and 50 quid back or i could wait i wasnt in any hurry so i waited it arrived the next week with a years free gold inc orange panther contract £45 pm

16-01-2008, 17:07	#16
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	Quote: Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce It's not from Orange. The text says it's from Upgrade Centre. It's a company that will attempt to sign you into a contract. ..... usually with Three. Bloody con artists ...

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A free loyalty camera phone? I smell a rat!