The unsolicited SMS message is from a woman who promises mobile phone users a free video of her in "beautiful bikinis" when they call a toll-free number. Sounds like a desperate girlfriend on the loose? No, the SMS is actually an ad from a local chat line service, Dreamchat.
Text message adverts like these are not new, and it is likely that most mobile phone owners have received at least one such SMS. While such messages are often ignored and deleted, the random manner in which they are sent to mobile phones might mean that these ads could end up getting the attention of an unintended audience.
Children and minors curious to find out more might call the numbers provided in these SMS messages, prompting the chat line to send more of such messages with links to paid services.
When a reporter responded to one such SMS ad from Dreamchat using a 3G phone, the chat line's automated system streamed a 10 second teaser video of a young woman who is supposedly one of Dreamchat's 'friends'.
There are several versions of these teaser videos in both English and Chinese. In each, a woman asks suggestive questions like "Do you want to go out with me?" before urging callers to dial a number for the chat line's paid service.
Calling this number takes one to Dreamchat's online 'catalogue' of available chat companions, of which the user then chooses one before being connected to a one-on-one video conversation.
The reporter chatted with a woman who called herself Tao Se Bao Bei (Sexy Peach Babe) for about half an hour. The woman claims that she is located in Taipei, and that she has never visited Singapore. Although she did not initiate any suggestive topics, the reporter managed to persuade her into changing from a T-shirt into a spaghetti stripe top and even pose for the camera and showing some cleavage.
A second call was made a few days later, and this time the reporter spoke to a woman who called herself Jue Se Yao Jing (Erotic Seductress). The woman, who speaks with a strong China accent, claims that she is from Beijing.
She also tells the reporter that she is currently unemployed, but does "some work on the internet" to earn extra cash. She said that sports, especially swimming, ranks as one of her favourite pastimes, to which she attributes her good figure to.
When asked to strip, she refused, but obliged instead, to a dance that had her lifting her skirt and showing her underwear.
Although Dreamchat states that all callers must be above 18 years of age to use the chat service, no attempts were made to verify the caller's details. The question of age did pop up in the video chat conversation, but came across as an attempt at small talk than a user eligibility check.
The lack of an age verification system on such chat line services might mean that minors can easily access these services. Not only would they be at risk of being exposed to less than wholesome content, the fees incurred for such calls are also hefty. Dreamchat charges $0.99 per minute for voice-only calls and $1.99 per minute for 3G video calls. These charges exclude data transfer fees for 3G phone conversations.
While SMS ads from services such as Dreamchat do offer an unsubscribe option, the instantaneous connectivity offered by mobile phones today might mean that minors can make several such calls before their parents find out.
Should SMS ads containing phone numbers to dial-in, paid services be banned? Or should some form of control be instilled such that ads like these reach only their target audience?
Although it might be good that more stringent checks are in place, it is probably only matters of time before such ads reaches us via a different medium.
A check with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) indicates that there was a grand total of one customer complaint between the period of 2006 to now. The consumer in question had incurred a bill of $997.32 in telephone charges after the Dreamchat company had repeatedly text messaged him to contact thier hotline in order to make friends.
As this was an assisted case, CASE could only write a letter on behalf of the customer and the customer is required to hand the letter personally to thevendor and follow up on the case on his own.
Finally, CASE advises that consumers should look out and read fine prints on advertisements before making any calls to the chatlines. All charges should be clearly stated and there should not be any hidden charges.
Misleading advertisements can be referred to Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), a Council of CASE and ASAS may request for such advertisements to be removed if they are found to be misleading.
In cases whereby consumers are wrongfully charged by such chatlines, they should always clarify with the service providers.
Consumers could contact CASE at 6463 1811 if they require assistance.
