My mobile phone is under attack!

I have just entered the 21st century. I have changed my mobile contract and got a new phone that has video capability. And suddenly, out of the blue, I am getting video messages arrive from unnamed senders in my phone. They come from http://w03.v762.net which is registered as below. The messages are videos, which doubtless cost me money that I do not choose to spend, and are videos that I most assuredly do not want

domain:                          v762.net
created:                         05-Jul-2007
last-changed:                    05-Jul-2007
registration-expiration:         05-Jul-2008

nserver:                         ns55.1und1.de
nserver:                         ns56.1und1.de

status:                          CLIENT-TRANSFER-PROHIBITED

registrant-firstname:            Markus
registrant-lastname:             Schmitz
registrant-organization:         Venista Holding GmbH & Co. KG
registrant-street1:              Landgrafenstr. 106a
registrant-pcode:                50931
registrant-city:                 Koeln
registrant-ccode:                DE
registrant-phone:                +49.721151223430
registrant-email:                info@venista.com

admin-c-firstname:               Markus
admin-c-lastname:                Schmitz
admin-c-organization:            Venista Holding GmbH & Co. KG
admin-c-street1:                 Landgrafenstr. 106a
admin-c-pcode:                   50931
admin-c-city:                    Koeln
admin-c-ccode:                   DE
admin-c-phone:                   +49.721151223430
admin-c-email:                   info@venista.com

tech-c-firstname:                Hostmaster
tech-c-lastname:                 EINSUNDEINS
tech-c-organization:             1&1 Internet AG
tech-c-street1:                  Brauerstr. 48
tech-c-pcode:                    76135
tech-c-city:                     Karlsruhe
tech-c-ccode:                    DE
tech-c-phone:                    +49.7219137450
tech-c-fax:                      +49.7219137420
tech-c-email:                    hostmaster@1und1.de

bill-c-firstname:                Hostmaster
bill-c-lastname:                 EINSUNDEINS
bill-c-organization:             1&1 Internet AG
bill-c-street1:                  Brauerstr. 48
bill-c-pcode:                    76135
bill-c-city:                     Karlsruhe
bill-c-ccode:                    DE
bill-c-phone:                    +49.7219137450
bill-c-fax:                      +49.7219137420
bill-c-email:                    hostmaster@1und1.de

I've no idea how or why these messages started and wonder if anyone has any advice for me. I have emailed the relevant email address, but see no hope of a reply. Vodafone tells me that I will have to pay any charges associated with these messages - messages that I do not want and never asked for - and that I have no hope of recovering the costs or of not paying. I must reply with "STOP" to the sender. But there is no "reply" option to the messages!

Vodafone has confirmed that I have ben charged £0.85 +VAT for the message I opened without thinking, but that I will only be charged if I open a message. They are entirely unable to act without the short code that it "comes from". But it comes "from nowhere" because it is a "browser message".

I have emailed the Data Privacy Officer at Vodafone stating that the message is unlawful under directive 2002/58/EC, and will await the result with wry amusement.

In addition I have put in a formal complaint to two bodies: the UK Information Commissioner and The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information in Germany. We will have to see what transpires.

Update: Venista has responded well to my email to them (the info @ address above). I have had email from venista.co.uk with a view to both blocking my phone numbers completely and to refunding the small sum I have been charged. This is good customer service.

Ideal World TV refuse to refund me for non delivery until I return the item that they have not delivered

I ordered a large item from them on 15 March 2008. They stated that they shipped it via the ParcelForce 48 hour service on 19 March, but, despite several calls to their outsourced customer service centre (DO use 01733 887123 - it is far cheaper!), there is no prospect of delivery.

The did give me a tracking number. That tracking number does not agree with ANY consignment that ParcelForce has used. I explained this to the customer service agent and he said "Our software is better than yours. Ours is right." Interesting attitude, since they use the ParcelForce website, like I do!

Today, on 7 April, I got fed up, called yet again (I have spent over 90 minutes on hold so far), and explained that they now have 14 days to deliver, or to process a full refund. I was told "We will not give you a refund. We have a process to follow. No-one will change this process for you. When the item arrives then you may return it for a refund"

I have told them that I will sue them in the county court if they either do not deliver a complete, fully working item or a refund within 14 days, and confirmed it by recorded delivery letter.. Their call centre tried to refuse to log the conversation!

I have also placed the transaction into dispute with my credit card supplier.

For those wishing to follow my example, their trading address is the same as their registered address and papers may be served there.

Individual Voluntary Arrangements (mini bankruptcy) sold by phone fromthe USA

I have just received another unlawful call selling me IVAs. ITt started with a long, pre-recorded spiel, and then transferred me to an agent in the USA who grilled me and then refused to put me through to the calling company. Pity. The call was from (616) 980 2239, which appears to be Michigan based.

The agent was thick as two short planks, spoke more like a machine than a real person, and refused to give the name of the company.

Does Idealworld.tv understand customer service?

I often kick myself. I should make more use of the "You KNOW you will be disappointed" button before I order things. But I ordered a thing from a TV shopping channel. Ideal World TV. And you would think, since these are just sales and service organisations, that they would have the trick to it by now. It is not rocket science.

I ordered a home gym thing. I've been looking for a pilates "reformer" for several years that had the features I want and the price I can afford. Gym based units are £1,500 or so each. This was £200. I'm a tubby chap with a neck problem and these units are perfect for me, but weren't perfect for my wallet.

I ordered it "for immediate delivery" on 15 March 2008. It was despatched on 19 March 2008. My credit card has been charged, naturally. After the obligatory 5 day wait I called and asked where it was.

The outsourced call centre said, in accent with a hint of English, that there had been a delay and it was despatched on the 24th, and that I would receive it, from ParcelForce, in up to 5 business days.

Those days passed. I called customer service. The despatch delay was not correct(!) and they "would now contact the warehouse for the consignment details", a thing they should have already, which would "take 5-10 days and we will contact you with those details when we know them."

I asked if there was a way of getting those details now. After all, I can enter a consignment code into the ParcelForce site myself and see where my package is. "No, we have to get them from the warehouse, and I am filling out the papers now for it."

So I have to wait. And, of course, pay my credit card bill before I have the goods.

So, do they understand Customer Service? You tell me! The comments floor is yours!

Update: They have so far refused me a refund until I return the item that they have not delivered!