Why I will NEVER use VODACOM again - STOP SPAMMING!

[ScrooV]

Very simple solution - lay a charge of harrassment at your local police station against vodacom - make sure u take a detailed affidavit to save time.

LOL - you are joking right?

I mean, if this would make them stop, I'd try it?

I have lodge a complaint at http://www.waspa.org.za

If anyone else is sick of it, please go and lodge a complaint there also?

 

[proximiti99]

Strange I don't get this spam. Maybe yr 'new' number is actually an ex contract number that used to engage in the spam...

 

[dominic]

Garyvdh - thanks again - I just went to the link you provided to lodge formal complaint.

In the complaints section you have to select the WASPA member you wish to complain about - all companies are listed but Vodacom - lol - typical!

hi

Vodacom SP is in the list under Cointel (afaik this has now been changed to Vodacom SP). if you look on the members page http://www.waspa.org.za/members/index.php there is

Vodacom Service Provider (Pty) Ltd http://www.cointel.co.za +27.11.848.8455

 

[ScrooV]

Strange I don't get this spam. Maybe yr 'new' number is actually an ex contract number that used to engage in the spam...

That did cross my mind, but this message from VODACOM23 (30 days after I got it) would say different:

Congratulations! You qualify for R6 FREE airtime because you have used (07xxxxxxxxx) for 30 days. Reply with ALIVE within 2 days to get your reward.

Needless to say that I did not reply with ALIVE.

Vodacom SP is in the list under Cointel

Thanks dominic- I did see them on the list but did not think of Cointel. I Just added Vodacom Service Provider (Pty) Ltd to the "other company information". Made me laugh for a second tho

 

[Tegnik]

This is the most useless rant I have ever seen. Threatening to go "public" on Vodacom if they don't stop "spamming" your cellphone. You must have a very boring life to take sms spam so seriously. I have 3 contracts from Vodacom, and all those contracts get "spammed". 2-3 messages per day maybe? Hardly something to go public about. You are nothing more than a whiner. Go with MTN then... lot's of stuff to go public about there. Maybe next time post something more constructive.

 

[Big Kriss]

Different strokes I think...
My number is probably more than 10 years old and just lately Ive also been receiving this kind of stuff.
Highly annoying at best.
Its not like I'm not paying for my calls or getting anything free.I'm actually paying someone indirectly to spam me.
Dont appreciate it, dont want it.period.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

As I'm in the industry and work daily with unsubscribes let me explain:

* Cointel is not Vodacom, VC are just a shareholder. Cointel is a standard WASP and they (and all the other WASPS) are not allowed to change the originating number on a SMS. This is not allowed in South Africa and can only be done at network level or from a international carrier.

* Vodacom is a network and is not registered with WASPA. WASPA is not for the networks as each network has its own guidelines and requirements for WASPS. The networks tell WASPA and WASPS what to do and not the other way around.

* WASPA complaints are only effective against members. Non-members cannot be fined. You can check on www.smscode.co.za for the owner of a shortcode or longcode. This info is rather out-of-date though.

* VC call center has many levels, if you are unsuccessful then insist on being bumped up to more senior agents. The guys at the top are good and get things done. (There are more than 10'000 callcenter staff)

 

[Keeper]

You do also have the option of just ignoring the messages completely. It costs them to send these messages, so they are just wasting their own money

yes, but they aren't wasting 85c or whatever you pay per sms - they are vodacom so they pay like 1c per sms, even if that ?

 

[ajax]

This is the most useless rant I have ever seen. Threatening to go "public" on Vodacom if they don't stop "spamming" your cellphone. You must have a very boring life to take sms spam so seriously. I have 3 contracts from Vodacom, and all those contracts get "spammed". 2-3 messages per day maybe? Hardly something to go public about. You are nothing more than a whiner. Go with MTN then... lot's of stuff to go public about there. Maybe next time post something more constructive.

I disagree. He has stated that he works night shift and needs his sleep during the day. I would also be hyper pissed off if my sleep gets disturbed from SMS spam and there's nothing I can do about it.

 

[Jase]

I disagree. He has stated that he works night shift and needs his sleep during the day. I would also be hyper pissed off if my sleep gets disturbed from SMS spam and there's nothing I can do about it.

+1

 

[Zenbaas]

I disagree. He has stated that he works night shift and needs his sleep during the day. I would also be hyper pissed off if my sleep gets disturbed from SMS spam and there's nothing I can do about it.

+1. Seems like IDDqDQDDmode missed the point completely

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Was about to suggest you change your profile (on your phone) so that the SMS'es won't have any ringtone or sound associated with it - but then realized that it won't work as you might get an urgent SMS instead of a phonecall.

As an alternative, why don't you get a prepaid SIM?

Good luck.

 

[vodacom3g]

Won't you PM me your mobile number and the reference numbers you received and I'll follow up.

 

[ScrooV]

Thanks vodacom3g - have sent you the details.

 

[dominic]

As I'm in the industry and work daily with unsubscribes let me explain:

* Cointel is not Vodacom, VC are just a shareholder. Cointel is a standard WASP and they (and all the other WASPS) are not allowed to change the originating number on a SMS. This is not allowed in South Africa and can only be done at network level or from a international carrier.

* Vodacom is a network and is not registered with WASPA. WASPA is not for the networks as each network has its own guidelines and requirements for WASPS. The networks tell WASPA and WASPS what to do and not the other way around.

* WASPA complaints are only effective against members. Non-members cannot be fined. You can check on www.smscode.co.za for the owner of a shortcode or longcode. This info is rather out-of-date though.

Vodacom SP is a WASP which is a member of WASPA

 

[vodacom3g]

Thanks vodacom3g - have sent you the details.

Thanks, got it and have asked a few questions. Should have answers sometime tomorrow.

My own view on this:

1) There should be separate lists for service-orientated and commercial messages.

2) All messages must carry opt-out instructions.

Most of the messages you received can be deemed relevant to a new subscriber and is not really commercial in nature, i.e. they did not try and sell you something, rather they gave information about the service.

But they should have carried opt-out info and, in addition, your telephonic request to opt-out should have been honored.

Let's see what I get back.

 

[Sackboy]

Thanks, got it and have asked a few questions. Should have answers sometime tomorrow.

My own view on this:

1) There should be separate lists for service-orientated and commercial messages.

2) All messages must carry opt-out instructions.

Most of the messages you received can be deemed relevant to a new subscriber and is not really commercial in nature, i.e. they did not try and sell you something, rather they gave information about the service.

But they should have carried opt-out info and, in addition, your telephonic request to opt-out should have been honored.

Let's see what I get back.

1. Why do we get them if we don't want them?
2. Why do we have to pay to opt out?
3. If we opt out of one, does that apply to all from your company?
4. Why do they change the originating SMS number if as Dominic says - they aren't allowed to?

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Vodacom SP is a WASP which is a member of WASPA

Yes, but they should not be confused with Vodacom The Network. Vodacom SP are an independent entity as far as the Vodacom VAS callcenter are concerned. The advantage here is that VC can actually take actions against them, which is very good.

Also Vodacom SP is not allowed to change the sender from number on SMS (There a member of WASP and this is a no-no). You need a SS7 line to do that and only a network and not a WASP have these.

The babbling point I'm making is a from number of "Vodacomxxx" will originate from either Vodacom or an international carrier. As a consumer you do have a right to know who the offending party is and to have it stopped / blocked.

All WASPS and Networks should have a blocking mechanism in place, very few do though - our company is one of the few that have this feature. (Blocking refers to the ability to prevent either billed or non-billed SMSs from reaching the users handset - Stopping / Unsubscribe is the removal from a database. Not all SMS services are subscription and are user originated each time.)

 

[10i]

Lg and samsung phones can add numbers to a rejctect list, what phone do you have?

 

[Sackboy]

Lg and samsung phones can add numbers to a rejctect list, what phone do you have?

What's to stop them from changing the number for each SPAM message.