Vodacom fixes glitch that irked consumers

16 August 2016 - 12:02 By Megan Power

Vodacom has finally resolved the glitch on its service that allows customers to automatically unsubscribe from unwanted mobile content. The network irked scores of users last week when its SMS service failed to deliver - at just the time consumers had been asked in my Sunday Times column to check if they'd fallen victim to a fraudulent adult content subscription service.Power Report: Rude shock as Telkom dials up overseas costsPhoning overseas just got a lot more complicated - and costly. I had included Vodacom's SMS service but when users sent "Stop All" to 30333‚ instead of getting an SMS back with details of their subscriptions‚ many users‚ including myself‚ got an SMS saying: "The 123 service is no longer available‚" as reported.Vodacom in no rush to fix 'stop' serviceVodacom irked scores of Sunday Times readers this week when its mobile content unsubscribe service failed to deliver. At the time‚ Vodacom said the network was aware of the problem and advised customers to contact the call centre to have the unsubscribe request processed manually. It said the anomaly affected some 10 to 20 customers a day and that it was working on implementing a solution as soon as was "practically possible".The glitch related to Vodacom operating across various customer relationship systems‚ it said.Said spokesman Byron Kennedy: "We have resolved the error. All customers can text "Stop All" to 31050 to unsubscribe from all premium services.“For the batch of customers that used 30333 and were getting the error message‚ they will now be directed to the new number. For those who were able to use the 30333 service‚ they can continue to do so or use the new number.”* Consumers who have been subscribed to content services without their consent should lodge formal complaints and refund requests with the Wireless Application Service Providers Association or @WaspaE-mail: consumer@sundaytimes.co.zaFollow Megan on Twitter: @Power_ReportTMG Digital/ConsumerLive..

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