Three of the nation’s four largest wireless operators have agreed to stop charging customers for text messages sent by un-authorized third-parties, also known as “cramming.” The operators include AT&T Mobility, Sprint and T-Mobile US.
The agreement covers 45 states that have been engaged in conversations with carriers on the issue. A statement from Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell, noted that the agreement calls for the operators to no longer charge for “commercial premium short messaging services,” which he said accounted “for the majority of third-party charges on cell phones and for the overwhelming majority of cramming complaints.” Two of the carriers said they will continue to allow charitable donations to be billed via PSMS.
“This is a victory for cell phone users in Vermont and across the nation,” said Sorrell. “While PSMS has some benefits, like charitable giving, it is also a major contributor to the current mobile cramming problem. We are pleased that AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile have decided to stop the flow of money from the pockets of ordinary people to the bank accounts of scam artists. We’re hopeful the other carriers will soon follow their lead. There is still much work to be done. My office will continue to work with other states for industry reforms and to recover money for consumers victimized by cramming.”
Cramming has been a long-time issue impacting the mobile space dating back to the paging days. According to the Mobile Entertainment Forum, the mobile space billed $35 billion worldwide via PSMS.
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