What are premium rate text numbers ?
Premium rate text numbers or more commonly known as premium short codes text also know as (PSMS) . They usually consist of four, five, Six and even 8 digit numbers, which usually begin with 5, 6, 7 or 8 prefix however in some countries they can start with and prefix. However the characteristic is the same these numbers are used for a variety of services including charity donations, competitions, games, ringtones as well as adult services. A vast majority of SMS services are subscription based which means that the user is charged on a daily, weekly or monthly basis until they opt out.
How much do they cost ?
Service providers use a variety of premium text short code tariffs, the most commonly used are up to €/$/£1.50 however, there are far higher tariffs going upto $20!
So imagine receiving a single text message that billed you €/£10 or $20 . How you would feel?
Below is a list of the most commons short code tariffs table that are available in each of the 4 main countries that we serve:
| UK | IRELAND | USA | AUSTRALIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0.25 | €0.25 | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| £0.50 | €0.50 | $1.00 | $0.75 |
| £0.75 | €0.75 | $1.50 | $1.00 |
| £1.00 | €1.00 | $2.00 | $1.50 |
| £1.50 | €1.25 | $3.00 | $2.00 |
| £2.00 | €1.50 | $5.00 | $2.50 |
| £2.50 | €2.00 | $9.99 | $3.00 |
| £3.00 | €2.50 | $19.99 | $3.50 |
| £4.50 | €3.00 | $4.00 | |
| £5.00 | €5.00 | $4.50 | |
| £10.00 | €10.00 | $5.00 | |
| $6.60 | |||
| $10.00 |
How are they charged?
Premium text messages are charged for on your monthly phone bill or, if you’re a pay as you go (PAYG) customer, they are debited from your mobile phone credit. So, it is important that you check your itemised bill regularly.
There are two types of premium short codes they are as follows:
- Mobile terminate (MT). This is when you receive the premium text message on your phone.
- Mobile 0riginate (MO). This is when you text to the premium short code number.
Approximately 90% of all premium short codes are MT based as they are ideal for subscription services. It is worth pointing out that MO short codes have strict limited value as everything texted to the code will be charged and thus there is temptation by rogue service providers to miss use this option. There are also some unscrupulous service providers that we have en-counted that have setup an MO premium tariff and a MT premium tariff using the same and sometimes using 2 different codes so an unsuspecting user could find themselves being billed up to €/$/£1.50 as soon as they text to a code and another premium rate charge when they get a response, a so called ‘double whammy’.
Why am I being charged ?
That really is the key question. However, it is our job to find out, so have faith in us and let us show you what we can do. Actions speak louder than words and here at SMSrefunds.com we live and breathe this pledge, day in and day out.
