Comments on: Deal or No Deal: Surprise Texting Charges

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:13:06 +0000

I have a question. I text with a pre-paid Tracfone. I always get a reply saying thanks for my entry, but I always wonder if it counts, because I’m not being charged the $1 entry fee. Does anyone know? Am I just wasting my texts? Thanks.

Edgar replies: Jen, if you normally get charged for incoming text messages, you are most likely charged for their thank you message. The easiest way to tell is to check your balance before sending the text message, and then again after you get the thank you.

By: Mark J Smith

Mark J Smith — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:32:21 +0000

Plain and simple – never respond to these scams. Same as so many others. But unfortunately there are always the fools and their money so easily parted.

By: Nico

Nico — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:32:58 +0000

This is another one where it’s a case of “don’t text to numbers you see on tv that contain fine print.”

Also, in Nico’s view, offering to play the game for free only via the Internet is a viable alternate means.

Want a 1-800 number to call? Pfft. 1-800 numbers COST money, so that went the way of the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” contest. Also note that these contests are a way to force viewers to watch the show in real time, not time-shifting TiVo. This guarantees the advertisers more viewers.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:11:42 +0000

But what is the number of households that do not have cellphones? I would guess that the number of households without internet and the number of households without internet is roughly similar.

By: Joe B

Joe B — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:41:55 +0000

GSN’s playmania / quiznation does same type of thing at least they tell you what it costs and you can read as well.