The Federal Network Agency is once again taking decisive action in a particularly drastic case of telephone spam. Last week, it ordered the deactivation of the (0)137 telephone numbers listed below due to number spam and prohibited billing and collection for connections to these numbers. This protects consumers who have called a number advertised through spam and enables them not to pay the charges for these calls. Ultimately, spammers will also receive no payouts for the provoked calls. Matthias Kurth, President of the Federal Network Agency, stated: “This is the most effective way to make this form of abusive number usage economically unattractive and thus ultimately curb spam.”
Consumers received a call during which one of the (0)137 telephone numbers listed below was advertised. During these calls, consumers were promised prizes in the form of free electricity deliveries. To receive the promised prize, those called were instructed to dial one of the provided numbers. Consumers were also led to believe that the call originated from their local electricity provider. Upon returning the call to the specified number, an automated message promised a prize of a free three-year electricity supply. Before prize determination, the customer was instructed to enter their electricity meter number via the keypad. Callers were also informed that repeated participation would increase their chances of winning.
The following telephone numbers are affected by the Federal Network Agency's order: (0)137 770 8030, (0)137 770 8050, (0)137 770 8060, (0)137 710 7102, (0)137 710 7104, (0)137 710 7105, (0)137 799 6020. Further measures are in preparation.
The exact periods for which the billing and collection prohibition applies will soon be available on the Federal Network Agency's list of measures on the internet under the link “Number Misuse – Spam – Dialer”. Affected consumers of such calls can contact the Federal Network Agency by telephone at +49 291 9955-206, by e-mail at rufnummernmissbrauch@bnetza.de , or by post at the following addresses.
Federal Network Agency
Nördeltstr. 5 â?¨
59872 Meschede
or
Federal Network Agency
Schütt 13
67433 Neustadt
Source: Press Release of the Federal Network Agency dated April 29, 2008, Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railways Press Office, Tulpenfeld 4, 53113 Bonn, www.bundesnetzagentur.de
For any inquiries regarding this matter, Goldberg Attorneys at Law are at your disposal.
Goldberg Attorneys at Law, Wuppertal-Solingen 2008
Attorney at Law Michael Ullrich, LL.M.(Information Law)
m.ullrich@goldberg.de
