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Solutions to common problems

This page contains:

  • How do I stop a premium rate subscription SMS/text service?

  • How do I bar all premium rate SMS/text services from my phone?

  • Are you getting calls you don’t want?

  • Are you getting unwanted promotional texts?

  • I didn’t get what I ordered from a premium rate service…..

  • I tried voting/interacting on a popular TV show, but couldn’t get through. Why?

  • Will my ability to vote depend on where I live in Ireland?

  • Do age limits apply to premium rate services?

  • Are you a child who has received a call or text meant for someone over 18?

How do I stop a premium rate subscription SMS/text service?

To unsubscribe from a premium rate subscription service (a service where there is a recurring charge), send a text to the short code number for the service.

Text the word STOP. Do not text any other words as it could result in you receiving even more texts.

Note that a standard network charge may apply for this text. Once you have texted the word STOP to the sender, you should be unsubscribed within 24 to 48 hours.

If you have deleted the number from whom you have received the text, contact your mobile network operator to get further information on the number and the premium rate service provider associated with that number.

How do I bar all premium rate SMS/text services from my phone?

Consumers can avail of a facility to block premium rate Short Messaging Services (SMS) text messages and Multimedia Message Services (MMS) from their mobile phone.

If you wish to have premium rate SMS text messages and MMS blocked from your mobile phone, the mobile operators eir Mobile, Three and Vodafone provide a barring facility allowing you to bar such services in the short code number ranges 53XXX to 59XXX.

If you are with eir Mobile, Three or Vodafone, you will have received a text message earlier this year advising you of this facility and how to avail of it. To avail of the barring option, if you are unsure how, you can contact your mobile operator’s customer care to make your request. The barring facility is available free of charge and should be in place no later than 14 days following your request.

Are you getting calls you don’t want?

Fixed-line users
If you have a fixed-line (landline) phone and you do not want direct marketing companies to call you, you should contact the company from whom you rent the line and request that your details are added to the National Directory Database (NDD).

If your telephone line is ex-directory you do not need to contact your phone company because your number is automatically recorded as not wanting to receive direct marketing calls.

For more information on opting out of direct marketing calls, please visit this section of our website.

Mobile phone users

Mobile phone numbers are automatically opted-out of direct marketing calls by your mobile phone provider.
If you want to allow direct marketers to contact you in this way, you can call your mobile service provider and ask that your number be made available to direct marketers.
To avoid getting further calls, try not to give out your phone number to any companies, just give it to friends you know and trust.

Are you getting unwanted promotional texts?

If you are receiving texts inviting you to enter a competition or call a number to win, it is likely that these are free promotional messages which should contain instructions on how to opt-out.

Follow these instructions to remove your details from the promotional database. It is important that you keep these messages in case you need to make a complaint to ComReg or the Data Protection Commissioner.

To unsubscribe from a premium rate subscription service (a service where there is a recurring charge), send a text to the short code number for the service.

Text the word STOP. Do not text any other words as it could result in you receiving even more texts.

Note that a standard network charge may apply for this text. Once you have texted the word STOP to the sender, you should be unsubscribed within 24 to 48 hours.

If you have deleted the number from whom you have received the text, contact your mobile network operator to get further information on the number and the premium rate service provider associated with that number.

To avoid getting more unwanted texts, try not to give out your phone number to any companies, just give it to friends you know and trust.

Please be careful of text messages with links to WAP sites. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is a technical standard for accessing information over a mobile wireless network. You may be charged for going into a WAP site and it is very likely that you will be charged for making downloads from that site. Be aware of the costs involved to avoid big bills or unwanted charges. 

I didn’t get what I ordered from a premium rate service…..

Always look closely at the price and description of a premium rate service to check what you are paying for and what you are getting.

Make sure you understand the terms and conditions you have agreed to.

Also, check that your mobile handset is compatible with the premium rate service.

If you order something and you don’t receive it, or you receive something else, then the company may not be treating you fairly.

I tried voting/interacting on a popular TV show, but couldn’t get through. Why?

Sometimes, congestion does occur on some TV voting lines because of a high volume of viewers voting at one time (this is most likely to occur just after an on-screen announcement). As a result, some voters may get an engaged tone. This congestion tends to clear quickly, so give it a few minutes and try voting/interacting again.

Will my ability to vote depend on where I live in Ireland?

Wherever you live in Ireland, if you have a phone, you have the ability to vote.

Do age limits apply to premium rate services?

Some premium rate services are not intended for children. If you try to order a service that is not intended for children (i.e. for those who are over 18 years of age), you will be asked to confirm your age or to provide proof that you are over 18 years of age in order to receive the service. If you win a prize in a competition or quiz for over 18s, then you will not be able to claim your prize if you are under 18.

Are you a child who has received a call or text meant for someone over 18?

If you have received a call or text containing language or images that made you feel uneasy, DO NOT REPLY.
Tell someone (one of your friends or a parent/guardian or even one of the teachers at school) that you received the call or text and that it made you feel uneasy.
If the sender/caller was a premium rate company, report them to us by contacting us here.
If the sender/caller was an individual, speak to your phone company to find out if they can help by blocking the number from your phone.

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