Vodacom launches anti-fraud feature

[rpm]

Vodacom launches anti-fraud security feature

Vodacom has launched a new security feature that will help protect its customers from cellphone fraud by automatically locking their SIM card if irregular call activity is detected.

[PsyWulf]

That's a good start. Now to ban WASPS

[Zubizap]

After reading the article heading I had high hopes that vodacom now allows you to opt out of any VAS-(R3 per day subs type subscription scams) charges on your phone. Maybe next time.

[yebocan]

guess this is just for voice calls....data?

[jmak]

guess this is just for voice calls....data?

Interesting point.

I would say another step in the right direction by operators would be to put a soft lock on all accounts by default, 5 times the monthly subscription value. So Vodacom Talk 1000 will be limited to a R7500 bill per month, and a MTN Anytime 100 at around R500. This should be extended to include data. Since it is a soft lock you might still go over a bit, but operators will save on the legal departments side with fewer complaints and consumers will believe in their operators and not come back home with R50k bills when they did not understand that roaming is expensive.

My 2cents

[evilstebunny]

That's a good start. Now to ban WASPS

After reading the article heading I had high hopes that vodacom now allows you to opt out of any VAS-(R3 per day subs type subscription scams) charges on your phone. Maybe next time.

Unfortunately not while they're making big bucks as part of the scam.

[HavocXphere]

That's a good start. Now to ban WASPS

Yeah. Sick of all this shtty spam. Vodacom is just as guilty as the spammers imo since they could easily do something about it.

So formal feature request:
I want to go to the VC website, select a received SMS from my a/c history and block all future communications from the source.

[LeonP]

Unsuprisingly Vodacom only launches an anti-fraud security feature which protects itself more than its customers. How simple could it be to have a facility on your website that blocks ALL WASP activity? Probably impossible seeing how poor their own site is. I had to laugh when I saw that a Saumsung Galaxy S2 cant send MMS!

[hyarion]

This is a very good thing implemented by vodacom, sure the wasp thing is still an issue they need to address, however this by far takes higher precedence.

I've been seeing this happening far too frequently with VOIP systems that are exposed to internet. They get hacked and calls are made to these "premium" international numbers. For those that don't understand clearly, these numbers are somewhat similar to those premium sms numbers where you get charged R10 per sms, except these charge per minute or second. I saw one where it was charging R50 per minute. Now all you need is you lose your phone and someone dials that number, leaves it connected for 2 days and you've got a bill of R144,000!

Bear in mind that the people who do this are getting a cut of that bill from the premium number, so the higher the bill they can rack up the more money they "earn".

[Roadrunner]

I had to laugh when I saw that a Saumsung Galaxy S2 cant send MMS!

Why on earth would you want to use such and ancient communications medium and be charged through the nose for it?

BB Messenger, Whatsapp, ChatON, iMessage etc. FTW!

[xera]

This is a very good thing implemented by vodacom, sure the wasp thing is still an issue they need to address, however this by far takes higher precedence.

I've been seeing this happening far too frequently with VOIP systems that are exposed to internet. They get hacked and calls are made to these "premium" international numbers. For those that don't understand clearly, these numbers are somewhat similar to those premium sms numbers where you get charged R10 per sms, except these charge per minute or second. I saw one where it was charging R50 per minute. Now all you need is you lose your phone and someone dials that number, leaves it connected for 2 days and you've got a bill of R144,000!

Bear in mind that the people who do this are getting a cut of that bill from the premium number, so the higher the bill they can rack up the more money they "earn".

Absolutely ridiculous, isn't it? A perfect example of daylight robbery.

[ghoti]

Bet this feature wont work with international roaming

[4Motion]

About time

[LeonP]

Why on earth would you want to use such and ancient communications medium and be charged through the nose for it?

BB Messenger, Whatsapp, ChatON, iMessage etc. FTW!

I don't use MMS', but my point was about the inaccuracies on the website.

[qwertydude]

Just remember to put a pin on SIM card. Vodacom and any company won't protect you if the PIN is off and there is a high call rate.
Take note especially for those with Sim cards in device like 3G, Gate Intercoms, Least Cost Routing etc.

G