Vodacom Content Services?

V

VC-1

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2008
Messages
1,592
Reaction score
111
We often wonder and have pondered why and how networks control this type of billing, if I read the various postings by persons who sling those insults eg. Vodascum etc. wondering if they would repeat them in the presence of the Ceo of Vodacom! I doubt this. I am not employed or receive anything from VC. So of instead of slurring insults, lets spend our energy constructively by application of Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware) trying to understand what Vodacom states around this topic.

Their website has comprehensive information around this topic of "Content Services" here: http://help.vodacom.co.za/personal/home/58/395/1024944/What-are-Content-Services#!

We extracted a few important FAQ of interest.

What are Content Services?
Content Services is the term used to describe any content or service like games, music, entertainment etc. that you purchase or subscribe to on your device using your Vodacom mobile number.

This can be anything from Vodacom services like VideoPlay, MyMuze and Vlive! to other services that you have added to your Vodacom account like Apple Music, Netflix and Showmax.
Other services include third party providers like Wireless Application Service Providers (WASPs) that provide content and services independently from Vodacom.

vLive! Is a Vodacom portal which gives you access to a wide range of content, including information on news and sport. In addition, you can download games, music, pictures as well as videos.

WASP services are third party companies that use our Vodacom network to provide mobile content and services that you can subscribe to. Example you can subscribe to ringtones and wallpaper downloads for a specified cost.


Stop Content Services:

How do I stop my subscription to Content Services that are linked to my mobile number?
You can stop any subscription that is charged to your mobile number through any of the options below:
Via *135*997#:

Stop individual subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop individual Content Services: Dial *135*997#
2. Select option 1 to view individual services to which you are subscribed
3. Select the option of the service from which you would like to unsubscribe
4. Select option 1 to accept
5. You will receive a confirmation message and SMS notification to let you know that the selected Content Service has been successfully cancelled

Stop all subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop all Content Services: Dial *135*997# and select option 2.
2. If you select this option, all Content Services linked to your mobile number including services like Showmax, Netflix, Deezer and VideoPlay will be cancelled, with the exception of Apple services.
3. Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via SMS:

To stop all Content Services, SMS the words “Stop All” to 31050.
Once you have stopped all services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via IVR:

If you are a Prepaid customer, simply dial 135. We will verify if you have any Content Services linked to your number and provide you with the option to cancel all content services linked to your number.
Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Visit a Vodacom store

Visit any of our Vodacom retail stores and a friendly Customer Care representative will assist you in removing the service from your number.

Call Centre:

Dial 135, free from your Vodacom number, or 082 135 from any other number for assistance with removing services that you would like to cancel.

To unsubscribe from Vlive services:

1. Dial *117# on your device
2. Choose ‘Next’
3. Select ‘Unsubscribe’

EDIT: Having had a similar issue like this, was resolved by using these FAQ info although would not use the Vodacom Store Method as my personal choice.
 
Last edited:
What about data expiry???
Known as blatant theft.
And I will call the CEO a thieving twat if I was unlucky to meet him.
 
Spliffcat said:
What about data expiry???
Known as blatant theft.
And I will call the CEO a thieving twat if I was unlucky to meet him.
Click to expand...
@Spliffcat-Without "Spliffing like a Cat" do your own research without hiding behind your keyboard when looking into (a) Data Expiry (b) Calling the CEO.
BE THE HERO and not a COWARD
 
I have been trying to dial *135*997# for days. Just get the response "An error has occurred. Try later". Days later. Still NO change.

The reason I did this is that a few years ago about 5 different WASPs *stole* over R1000 worth of airtime. Vodacom refused to refund me and said I should contact the WASPs directly. I think one refunded me just over R1. Very helpful.

This recurred during lockdown. I had over R800 stolen by one WASP, redLights. I phoned helpdesk and was told they would log a call and contact me within 48 hours. I also posted on hellopeter. I was expecting the same result as previously, but I was refunded the full amount within ten minutes of my call. It goes without saying that I'm ecstatic about that. I wasn't as excited to get a reply via hellopeter 18 hours *after* I'd been refunded to say that someone would contact me to investigate my problem.

But the question remains: millions are *stolen* every day by these fraudulent WASP operators. Why don't the police, MNOs and whoever else get together and lock them in jail? The MNOs refuse to react because it is not in their financial interest, as far as I am concerned.

And I would tell this to the face of any MNO board member. Although I'd probably lose my temper.
 
For the last (approximately) 2 weeks, every other day or so, I have woken up to find a message on my phone asking me to confirm a subscription (to what I don't know, it gives no indication).
Naturally I "cancel".
After the 2nd or 3rd time this happened, I went onto the Vodacom app and found the "Block content services" option and activated that.
Since then, I STILL get the messsages asking for confirmation, but now they say I need to override the content block. (So its definitely related to this SIM).
But here's the thing: I have a dual SIM phone, and Vodacom is not used for data on this phone. So apart from this happening without me doing anything to initiate any subscription, it can't even be as a result of my browsing..
I have run Malwarebytes scan and nothing has been detected, so no rogue apps..
If anyone has some suggestions to end this aggravation, I would appreciate hearing them.
 
divv said:
For the last (approximately) 2 weeks, every other day or so, I have woken up to find a message on my phone asking me to confirm a subscription (to what I don't know, it gives no indication).
Naturally I "cancel".
After the 2nd or 3rd time this happened, I went onto the Vodacom app and found the "Block content services" option and activated that.
Since then, I STILL get the messsages asking for confirmation, but now they say I need to override the content block. (So its definitely related to this SIM).
But here's the thing: I have a dual SIM phone, and Vodacom is not used for data on this phone. So apart from this happening without me doing anything to initiate any subscription, it can't even be as a result of my browsing..
I have run Malwarebytes scan and nothing has been detected, so no rogue apps..
If anyone has some suggestions to end this aggravation, I would appreciate hearing them.
Click to expand...

Malwarebytes won't find it as a virus as it is not, it's normal app functionality usually. ;) But most the time you can be subb'd just by visiting the wrong URL.
 
This is the thing, I was subscribed to some game earlier this year without knowing, I don't even play games on my phone.

Fotunately for me, I check for subscriptions from time to time since this mess has been going on. On that fateful day (morning, actually, as it was after 00h00 and I couldn't sleep) I checked it seemed it was the very same day I was subscribed. Naturally, I cancelled that subscription.

The funny thing is I had barred all new subscriptions before the incident. Like I said before, these networks know about this and are using this method to make money from users.
 
Ivanr said:
So of instead of slurring insults, lets spend our energy constructively by application of Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware) trying to understand what Vodacom states around this topic.
Click to expand...

Naw, I say we should stick with the insults, **** buyer beware we never agreed that Vodacom (as holder of the money on my account) allow these 3rd parties to take our money without our specific consent.

Just the other day I got a pop-up on my phone, pressed cancel and next thing 'you have been subscribed..'

WTF???? I NEVER EVEN GAVE CONSENT! Why does the law not protect me if Vodacom won't?

So, go with the insults ie: the Vodacom CEO has traded his mother for an unripe Mango..!
 
Ivanr said:
We often wonder and have pondered why and how networks control this type of billing, if I read the various postings by persons who sling those insults eg. Vodascum etc. wondering if they would repeat them in the presence of the Ceo of Vodacom! I doubt this. I am not employed or receive anything from VC. So of instead of slurring insults, lets spend our energy constructively by application of Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware) trying to understand what Vodacom states around this topic.

Their website has comprehensive information around this topic of "Content Services" here: http://help.vodacom.co.za/personal/home/58/395/1024944/What-are-Content-Services#!

We extracted a few important FAQ of interest.

What are Content Services?
Content Services is the term used to describe any content or service like games, music, entertainment etc. that you purchase or subscribe to on your device using your Vodacom mobile number.

This can be anything from Vodacom services like VideoPlay, MyMuze and Vlive! to other services that you have added to your Vodacom account like Apple Music, Netflix and Showmax.
Other services include third party providers like Wireless Application Service Providers (WASPs) that provide content and services independently from Vodacom.

vLive! Is a Vodacom portal which gives you access to a wide range of content, including information on news and sport. In addition, you can download games, music, pictures as well as videos.

WASP services are third party companies that use our Vodacom network to provide mobile content and services that you can subscribe to. Example you can subscribe to ringtones and wallpaper downloads for a specified cost.


Stop Content Services:

How do I stop my subscription to Content Services that are linked to my mobile number?
You can stop any subscription that is charged to your mobile number through any of the options below:
Via *135*997#:

Stop individual subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop individual Content Services: Dial *135*997#
2. Select option 1 to view individual services to which you are subscribed
3. Select the option of the service from which you would like to unsubscribe
4. Select option 1 to accept
5. You will receive a confirmation message and SMS notification to let you know that the selected Content Service has been successfully cancelled

Stop all subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop all Content Services: Dial *135*997# and select option 2.
2. If you select this option, all Content Services linked to your mobile number including services like Showmax, Netflix, Deezer and VideoPlay will be cancelled, with the exception of Apple services.
3. Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via SMS:

To stop all Content Services, SMS the words “Stop All” to 31050.
Once you have stopped all services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via IVR:

If you are a Prepaid customer, simply dial 135. We will verify if you have any Content Services linked to your number and provide you with the option to cancel all content services linked to your number.
Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Visit a Vodacom store

Visit any of our Vodacom retail stores and a friendly Customer Care representative will assist you in removing the service from your number.

Call Centre:

Dial 135, free from your Vodacom number, or 082 135 from any other number for assistance with removing services that you would like to cancel.

To unsubscribe from Vlive services:

1. Dial *117# on your device
2. Choose ‘Next’
3. Select ‘Unsubscribe’

EDIT: Having had a similar issue like this, was resolved by using these FAQ info although would not use the Vodacom Store Method as my personal choice.
Click to expand...
Vodascum and it's senior officials are pretty much as bad as politicians.

Looking for every little excuse to line their own pockets.

Charging for up and down data usage on a single session, so 1gb results in less than 500mb actual usage.

Allowing wasps, not adhering or implementing double opt-in but using opt-out as an excuse.

Ceo of vodascum is a twat, if I'm unlucky to meet it, I'll have it tattood on his forehead, and that includes the various other pathetic pieces of skin that had that title previously.
 
divv said:
For the last (approximately) 2 weeks, every other day or so, I have woken up to find a message on my phone asking me to confirm a subscription (to what I don't know, it gives no indication).
Naturally I "cancel".
After the 2nd or 3rd time this happened, I went onto the Vodacom app and found the "Block content services" option and activated that.
Since then, I STILL get the messsages asking for confirmation, but now they say I need to override the content block. (So its definitely related to this SIM).
But here's the thing: I have a dual SIM phone, and Vodacom is not used for data on this phone. So apart from this happening without me doing anything to initiate any subscription, it can't even be as a result of my browsing..
I have run Malwarebytes scan and nothing has been detected, so no rogue apps..
If anyone has some suggestions to end this aggravation, I would appreciate hearing them.
Click to expand...


Exact same thing has been happening to me. Also on Voda. Started about a week ago out, of the blue and completely unprompted. Usually happens in the early morning or late evening. And this after I read several complaints on twitter about these content services charges, all on Vodacom. There's definitely something sinister going on...
 
Prompted by these two news items (a) https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/362270-fraud-and-airtime-theft-on-vodacoms-network.html (b) https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/361389-vodacom-prepaid-customers-hit-by-airtime-theft.html I decided to request Vodacom to supply answers to the following question's namely.

Q1- Supply the relevant contract clause number that supports Third Party access?

Q2-Supply the relevant contract clauses that indicate the unambiguous Vodacom permission requests to customers Third Party access billing?

The indications thus far is that their Customer Services can only refer to "Services" with their Executives displaying the corporate silence. This being regarded as suspicious behaviour.
 
Arragn
Ivanr said:
We often wonder and have pondered why and how networks control this type of billing, if I read the various postings by persons who sling those insults eg. Vodascum etc. wondering if they would repeat them in the presence of the Ceo of Vodacom! I doubt this. I am not employed or receive anything from VC. So of instead of slurring insults, lets spend our energy constructively by application of Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware) trying to understand what Vodacom states around this topic.

Their website has comprehensive information around this topic of "Content Services" here: http://help.vodacom.co.za/personal/home/58/395/1024944/What-are-Content-Services#!

We extracted a few important FAQ of interest.

What are Content Services?
Content Services is the term used to describe any content or service like games, music, entertainment etc. that you purchase or subscribe to on your device using your Vodacom mobile number.

This can be anything from Vodacom services like VideoPlay, MyMuze and Vlive! to other services that you have added to your Vodacom account like Apple Music, Netflix and Showmax.
Other services include third party providers like Wireless Application Service Providers (WASPs) that provide content and services independently from Vodacom.

vLive! Is a Vodacom portal which gives you access to a wide range of content, including information on news and sport. In addition, you can download games, music, pictures as well as videos.

WASP services are third party companies that use our Vodacom network to provide mobile content and services that you can subscribe to. Example you can subscribe to ringtones and wallpaper downloads for a specified cost.


Stop Content Services:

How do I stop my subscription to Content Services that are linked to my mobile number?
You can stop any subscription that is charged to your mobile number through any of the options below:
Via *135*997#:

Stop individual subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop individual Content Services: Dial *135*997#
2. Select option 1 to view individual services to which you are subscribed
3. Select the option of the service from which you would like to unsubscribe
4. Select option 1 to accept
5. You will receive a confirmation message and SMS notification to let you know that the selected Content Service has been successfully cancelled

Stop all subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop all Content Services: Dial *135*997# and select option 2.
2. If you select this option, all Content Services linked to your mobile number including services like Showmax, Netflix, Deezer and VideoPlay will be cancelled, with the exception of Apple services.
3. Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via SMS:

To stop all Content Services, SMS the words “Stop All” to 31050.
Once you have stopped all services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via IVR:

If you are a Prepaid customer, simply dial 135. We will verify if you have any Content Services linked to your number and provide you with the option to cancel all content services linked to your number.
Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Visit a Vodacom store

Visit any of our Vodacom retail stores and a friendly Customer Care representative will assist you in removing the service from your number.

Call Centre:

Dial 135, free from your Vodacom number, or 082 135 from any other number for assistance with removing services that you would like to cancel.

To unsubscribe from Vlive services:

1. Dial *117# on your device
2. Choose ‘Next’
3. Select ‘Unsubscribe’

EDIT: Having had a similar issue like this, was resolved by using these FAQ info although would not use the Vodacom Store Method as my personal choice.
Click to expand...

Arrange for me to meet the CEO and I will tell him exactly what I would say on here.
 
Ivanr said:
We often wonder and have pondered why and how networks control this type of billing, if I read the various postings by persons who sling those insults eg. Vodascum etc. wondering if they would repeat them in the presence of the Ceo of Vodacom! I doubt this. I am not employed or receive anything from VC. So of instead of slurring insults, lets spend our energy constructively by application of Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware) trying to understand what Vodacom states around this topic.

Their website has comprehensive information around this topic of "Content Services" here: http://help.vodacom.co.za/personal/home/58/395/1024944/What-are-Content-Services#!

We extracted a few important FAQ of interest.

What are Content Services?
Content Services is the term used to describe any content or service like games, music, entertainment etc. that you purchase or subscribe to on your device using your Vodacom mobile number.

This can be anything from Vodacom services like VideoPlay, MyMuze and Vlive! to other services that you have added to your Vodacom account like Apple Music, Netflix and Showmax.
Other services include third party providers like Wireless Application Service Providers (WASPs) that provide content and services independently from Vodacom.

vLive! Is a Vodacom portal which gives you access to a wide range of content, including information on news and sport. In addition, you can download games, music, pictures as well as videos.

WASP services are third party companies that use our Vodacom network to provide mobile content and services that you can subscribe to. Example you can subscribe to ringtones and wallpaper downloads for a specified cost.


Stop Content Services:

How do I stop my subscription to Content Services that are linked to my mobile number?
You can stop any subscription that is charged to your mobile number through any of the options below:
Via *135*997#:

Stop individual subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop individual Content Services: Dial *135*997#
2. Select option 1 to view individual services to which you are subscribed
3. Select the option of the service from which you would like to unsubscribe
4. Select option 1 to accept
5. You will receive a confirmation message and SMS notification to let you know that the selected Content Service has been successfully cancelled

Stop all subscriptions to Content Services

1. To stop all Content Services: Dial *135*997# and select option 2.
2. If you select this option, all Content Services linked to your mobile number including services like Showmax, Netflix, Deezer and VideoPlay will be cancelled, with the exception of Apple services.
3. Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via SMS:

To stop all Content Services, SMS the words “Stop All” to 31050.
Once you have stopped all services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Via IVR:

If you are a Prepaid customer, simply dial 135. We will verify if you have any Content Services linked to your number and provide you with the option to cancel all content services linked to your number.
Once you have stopped all Content Services, you will receive an SMS confirming the cancellation of the services.

Visit a Vodacom store

Visit any of our Vodacom retail stores and a friendly Customer Care representative will assist you in removing the service from your number.

Call Centre:

Dial 135, free from your Vodacom number, or 082 135 from any other number for assistance with removing services that you would like to cancel.

To unsubscribe from Vlive services:

1. Dial *117# on your device
2. Choose ‘Next’
3. Select ‘Unsubscribe’

EDIT: Having had a similar issue like this, was resolved by using these FAQ info although would not use the Vodacom Store Method as my personal choice.
Click to expand...

And why does my *135*997# give "the USSD string you have dialed does not exist"? Is it because I am prepaid, why can Vodacom not make it easy and uniform to block content services? T

From what I can figure this is how to block content services on prepaid:

*135# > 11 > 1 > 10 > 1 > 3

They don't even have it on that page you went on about.
 
After having to do the dance with Vodacom a month ago for adding an unauthorized WASP service to our bill, low and behold this morning at 1:02am another attempt was made to subscribe it. :mad:
 
Apogee said:
After having to do the dance with Vodacom a month ago for adding an unauthorized WASP service to our bill, low and behold this morning at 1:02am another attempt was made to subscribe it. :mad:
Click to expand...

Ivanr will tell you how to block it easily, they mos make it easy and are not underhanded about it.
 
My sim is also set to "block". From time to time I send the sms to 31050, and yesterday after sending it I get 3 sms's saying I have been unsubscribed from DOWNLOAD. Using the *135*997# still shows my sim is blocked for content services so how does that happen. A few weeks back MyBB had an article showing how much the networks make from WASP services, Vodacom was something like 80c out of every Rand. No wonder they don't try to stop it.
 
The important point to remember related to "Third Party network billing = Content Service" will never end until networks change their revenue streams NOT to entertain this by default. Only allowing customers by unambiguous "opt in" systems, only then this type forum postings will end.
Lets hope Vodacom and other networks will implement this change to their billing systems. :D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X