Have you been receiving unwanted SMS messages from random numbers? The Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) have been receiving an increased number of SMS complaints regarding unsolicited SMSes in Malaysia year after year. More on what it is and what you can do about it after the jump.
Back in 2010, SMS complaints received by CFM were a mere 127. In the same year, the Mandatory Standards for the Provision of Mobile Content Services (MCS) was set up and they apply to marketing and advertising messages sent through SMS. Fast forward to September 2015, the number of SMS complaints have only increased to 630 with a surge of SMS complaints in 2012.
Chairman of CFM, Megat Ishak has said there are a few things consumers can do if they are victims of receiving unwanted SMSes. First, consumers can reply OUT to the same short code number. Next, consumers can also lodge a report directly to the service provider to request a refund for these unsubscribed messages. In addition, parents should also be wary of their children do on their devices.
The MCS covers everything from information to broadcasting, and the Mandatory Standards prevent providers from charging more than the service provider’s standard network charges. Technically, MCS providers can only send these marketing SMSes within 30 days of acquiring the consumer’s number. Content can only be sent to consumers who acquire or subscribe to it, and the SMS asking for the subscription should include the name of the provider and price. Of course, these marketing SMS are prohibited from promoting products other than the content already subscribed by the consumer.
These SMSes can range from credit card adverts and betting sites to you winning a brand new car. CFM is setting up a standard complaint format to help consumers with their complaints. If you have fallen victim to unsolicited SMSes, you can send your complaints to CFM, either through their complaints portal or via an email to aduan@cfm.org.my.
