fundutzi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2010
- Messages
- 316
Dear All,
A post for those that want to listen or read.
Contributions and recommendations are most welcome from those in the know.
=> This post will be updated and expanded in future when needed.
Short version.
Take care in the IT/ telecoms world.
The decade old problem to “scam / exploit the many and benefit a few” is perhaps being bread at an industrial scale today compare to decades past.
Compared to normal Telkom PSTN number to numbers calls you/ “your clients” will pay between 25% to 293% more to make the same call to a premium rate/ scam phone number.
Once you or the clients realize this, fewer clients! Credibility lost!
Longer version
A. Background
Recently was asked to review a proposal to replace Telkom PSTN lines and DSL with fibre line, port PSTN numbers to VOIP.
Surprised I am the majority of the world is still unaware of this decade old monster being bread at an industrial scale.
A decades old problem. In the old days it use to be people being tricked making calls to porn lines and then receiving the shock in post a month later. {Yes, postal services, like electricity used to work}
B. What is the issue/ risk /claimed scam?
Compared to normal Telkom PSTN number to numbers calls you/ “your clients” will pay between 25% to 293% more to make the same call to a premium rate/ scam phone number.
Once you or the clients realize this, fewer clients! Credibility lost!
See image matrix at end as reference for examples below.
Do your own checks using:
i. The Telkom call charge calculator here.
ii. Skype call costs for ZA.
iii. More telephony providers can be listed if needed.
On this date 2020.08.27 making the calls below on a normal business day at 14H00.
a. Say you make a call for 1 Hr between Telkom PSTN numbers;
Say Pta: 012 xxx YYYY to Dbn: 031 xxx YYYQ.
You will pay +- ZAR 27.83 per hour.
b. From Telkom PSTN phone line like 012 xxx YYYY to a “premium rate/scam number” like 010786XYZX you will pay 26.7% more @ ZAR 34.88 / hr.
Some numbers that had been ported to VOI{P providers are impossible to spot as a premium/ scam number. {Contact me for examples if you remain an unbeliever }
c. We knew for decades ringing mobile numbers are expensive at +- ZAR 78.26 / hr.
These GSM numbers are easy to spot with the eye.
Most of the time included in call packages.
Thus not an issue.
C. Why is this bugging me so much?
Like most mortal beings I buy calling packages for countries I need to do work in.
Almost all call packages, whether local in your country or bought from some international company, almost always exclude “special, premium, scam numbers”.
Naturally, one must phone companies at times having these numbers.
Even the eagle eyed amongst us can be caught out, as I had been a few times.
Phoning reputable companies, at times ones active in this very forum, cost me +- R 350 / hr.
Why in the world must I pay you {your appointed scam party} if I want to bring you business?
Perhaps we should name ISPs and Voip providers using these numbers and those selling services to bread this beast.
Will see if this is needed based on the response to this post.
D. References.
i. The Telkom call charge calculator here.
https://apps.telkom.co.za/calculator/displayCurrentTariffCalculator.htm
ii. Skype call costs for ZA.
https://secure.skype.com/en/credit/?#
iii. Calculation matrix.
iv. Others posts in past on this forum.
2006.xx.yy here.
https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/premium-rate-numbers-in-south-africa.55762/
2014.04.yy here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/telkom-premium-numbers.613746/
A post for those that want to listen or read.
Contributions and recommendations are most welcome from those in the know.
=> This post will be updated and expanded in future when needed.
Short version.
Take care in the IT/ telecoms world.
The decade old problem to “scam / exploit the many and benefit a few” is perhaps being bread at an industrial scale today compare to decades past.
Compared to normal Telkom PSTN number to numbers calls you/ “your clients” will pay between 25% to 293% more to make the same call to a premium rate/ scam phone number.
Once you or the clients realize this, fewer clients! Credibility lost!
Longer version
A. Background
Recently was asked to review a proposal to replace Telkom PSTN lines and DSL with fibre line, port PSTN numbers to VOIP.
Surprised I am the majority of the world is still unaware of this decade old monster being bread at an industrial scale.
A decades old problem. In the old days it use to be people being tricked making calls to porn lines and then receiving the shock in post a month later. {Yes, postal services, like electricity used to work}
B. What is the issue/ risk /claimed scam?
Compared to normal Telkom PSTN number to numbers calls you/ “your clients” will pay between 25% to 293% more to make the same call to a premium rate/ scam phone number.
Once you or the clients realize this, fewer clients! Credibility lost!
See image matrix at end as reference for examples below.
Do your own checks using:
i. The Telkom call charge calculator here.
ii. Skype call costs for ZA.
iii. More telephony providers can be listed if needed.
On this date 2020.08.27 making the calls below on a normal business day at 14H00.
a. Say you make a call for 1 Hr between Telkom PSTN numbers;
Say Pta: 012 xxx YYYY to Dbn: 031 xxx YYYQ.
You will pay +- ZAR 27.83 per hour.
b. From Telkom PSTN phone line like 012 xxx YYYY to a “premium rate/scam number” like 010786XYZX you will pay 26.7% more @ ZAR 34.88 / hr.
Some numbers that had been ported to VOI{P providers are impossible to spot as a premium/ scam number. {Contact me for examples if you remain an unbeliever }
c. We knew for decades ringing mobile numbers are expensive at +- ZAR 78.26 / hr.
These GSM numbers are easy to spot with the eye.
Most of the time included in call packages.
Thus not an issue.
C. Why is this bugging me so much?
Like most mortal beings I buy calling packages for countries I need to do work in.
Almost all call packages, whether local in your country or bought from some international company, almost always exclude “special, premium, scam numbers”.
Naturally, one must phone companies at times having these numbers.
Even the eagle eyed amongst us can be caught out, as I had been a few times.
Phoning reputable companies, at times ones active in this very forum, cost me +- R 350 / hr.
Why in the world must I pay you {your appointed scam party} if I want to bring you business?
Perhaps we should name ISPs and Voip providers using these numbers and those selling services to bread this beast.
Will see if this is needed based on the response to this post.
D. References.
i. The Telkom call charge calculator here.
https://apps.telkom.co.za/calculator/displayCurrentTariffCalculator.htm
ii. Skype call costs for ZA.
https://secure.skype.com/en/credit/?#
iii. Calculation matrix.
iv. Others posts in past on this forum.
2006.xx.yy here.
https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/premium-rate-numbers-in-south-africa.55762/
2014.04.yy here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/telkom-premium-numbers.613746/
