Young people today “text” each other (send text messages from their cellphones) and use various premium text messaging services advertised on television.
One such service invites viewers to text the word LOVE to 66466 (that five digit phone number is known as a shortcode). After doing so, the caller will receive text messages back that will “spice up your love life”, help you “discover the secrets of love”, and “how to be a great kisser.”Â
When the would-be casanova gets his or her phone bill, however, they probably will only have learned how to be a great sucker.
*MOUSE PRINT: Â This is actually a subscription service that costs $1 per daily message or $30 a month, and you will continue to be billed until you text “stop.”
This disclaimer actually says, adding the missing punctuation: “www.glomobi.com charged to your wireless phone bill. Text messaging fees apply. Under 16: seek permission from the bill payer and/or parental approval. Unsubscribe: txt ‘stop’ to 66466. $1 (+tax) per daily msg. $30 per month; Cingular $30 per month.”
What the commercial does not do is disclose the price orally. As Mouse Print* has mentioned before, the federal rules governing “pay per call services” [900 numbers] pre-date the advent of these type of text-based calls, and thus those price disclosure rules do not apply.
The cost of these tips might even be equal to or higher than the monthly service fee for the cellphone itself charged by the cell carrier!Â
So, if you still believe that love is free, that’s fine, but just don’t text it.
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