a ring of fraud

July 17, 2008 at 8:34 am Leave a comment

The crackdown has begun, and it’s about time – the BBC reports that the European Union (EU) will investigate over 80% of mobile websites offering downloadable mobile content like ringtones and wallpaper – for pricing misinformation and more serious fraud like misleading customers into subscribing for content.

A sweep of 500 websites – many of which targeted young people – took place across 27 EU member states, Norway and Iceland to check for breaches of European regulations.

“Far too many people are falling victim to costly surprises from mysterious charges, fees and ringtone subscriptions they learn about for the first time when they see their mobile phone bill,” according to the European Commissioner.