Mobiles
This section covers :
Mobile phone services and charges
There are many different mobile phone services available for use with differing fees and charges. In some cases, such as pre-paid services, you don’t need to sign an ongoing service contract. For others, you need to sign a contract that may run for two years or longer. These fixed-term contracts usually involve a range of charges, such as:
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connection charges
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monthly or periodic access fees
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call costs
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disconnection and reconnection charges
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variation and termination fees
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in some cases, charges for information received through the mobile phone handset.
Large mobile phone bills can result from overuse and other sources such as premium SMS/ MMS. These mobile premium services cost more than a standard SMS, and include options like sports news feeds or entertainment services. Premium SMS, including text, images or video, will always be offered from numbers that begin with ‘19’. Before you send a text to a ‘19’ number, check exactly what it will cost. You may find yourself receiving numerous messages a day, costing several dollars each. If you don’t notice this until your next bill, you may already have created a minor financial crisis before you’ve had a chance to stop the service.
Ongoing or subscription premium services must also send a text to your mobile phone after the initial request to confirm you want the service. Keep this message or record the details so you have an easy way to unsubscribe when you choose to.
When accessing services that require you to download the content from the internet, such as games or video, your phone company may also charge fees for data downloaded on top of your premium SMS charge. Check your phone company contract or terms and conditions for data download charges.
If you want to cancel a service you’ve subscribed to, reply with the word ‘STOP’ in an SMS to the number that sends you the service. This will stop all services from that number. If you continue to receive messages more than one business day after you have stopped your service, contact the business’ helpline to make sure they received your ‘STOP’ message and are not charging you.
If you know the number the charges are coming from, but don’t know the helpline number, look it up at www.19sms.com.au. The helpline number can also be found in any subscription confirmation messages, reminder messages or expenditure update messages.
If you can’t resolve a problem with your bill or charges, contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) on 1800 062 058 or visit www.tio.com.au.
Don't let people borrow your phone and be aware that even family members are known to subscribe to services on other family members’ phones. To avoid this, keep your phone locked and to yourself.
Mobile phone scams
Mobile phone scams are designed to steal your personal details or your money, and they come in some clever disguises. You might not know you’ve been scammed, so it’s important to check invoices or online statements carefully for any unusual charges.
If you receive a text message from an unknown source, don’t reply, as it could contain a virus or be an attempt to sign you up to an expensive subscription or premium rate service. Before you delete the message, note down the number and other important details such as:
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the time it was received
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the date
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content of the message.
Scams can be reported to SCAMwatch.
Check your next bill carefully to make sure you’re not being charged for extra calls, texts or services.
If someone calls and asks for your name, don’t give it, as anyone who calls your number should tell you who they are and what they want before you reveal anything about yourself.
Never provide passwords over the phone unless you have initiated the call. If a bank or phone company contacts you with a genuine problem, you can ask to return the call to check they are legitimate before resolving the issue.
Be wary of anyone who asks to borrow your phone in public—even if it’s for a supposed emergency. If it is a genuine emergency, dial Triple zero (000) for them and pass on the phone. Do not leave a stranger alone with your phone.
Remember, you can reduce the risk of scams by keeping your mobile number as private as possible. If you’re signing up to a website, consider if they really need your phone number. If you do decide to share your phone number, read the site’s privacy statement first, as it might explain that they reserve the right to send you advertisements or sell your phone number and details to other parties.
Unwelcome mobile contact
An unwelcome call is a call that is of a menacing, offensive or harassing nature, but which is not currently a life-threatening call. It may be intentional or non-intentional on the part of the caller.
The more private your number is, the less likely you are to be contacted by strangers, so never post your number on the internet or share it with anybody you don’t know.
If you are receiving unwelcome calls or text messages, you should record details of the calls such as:
Where the situation persists, you can report the details to your phone company. Unsolicited commercial SMS or MMS messages are covered by the Spam Act 2003. More information about spam and how you can address it is available on the ACMA website.
If you receive a call but hear no voice, followed by the caller hanging up or a long delay, this isn’t necessarily a harassing call. There are many automatic dialing services used by businesses for telemarketing calls that can cause this to happen.
If you receive a lot of unwanted telemarketing calls, it could mean your number has been included on a marketing list. To reduce the number of calls you receive, register your mobile number with the Do Not Call Register. Visit www.donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958.
Registering your mobile number will reduce the number of calls you receive. It will not stop all calls, as there are some exemptions to the Do Not Call Register Act 2006 that allow certain public interest organisations including charities, government bodies and educational institutions to still call.
Mobile phone security
There are a number of ways to increase phone security. Use the security features already on your phone to lock it when not in use. Most phones can be manually locked with a password so no-one except you can make calls or access details. If your phone is stolen, you may be liable for all calls made until it is reported as stolen, so it’s best to keep your phone locked at all times.
Learn how to block unwanted calls from specific numbers. If you don’t have the instruction manual, an online search for your phone model should provide the information required.
Every phone comes with an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Find it by typing *#06# on the keypad, and make a record of the 15-digit number. Once you report it, your telephone service provider can use this to block your number.
Calling Number Display (CND) is a feature that allows you to see the telephone number of incoming calls displayed on the screen of the telephone or CND unit attached to your telephone. To hide your own number when calling, you can use caller ID blocking. To check whether your number is displayed when you make calls, dial 127 220 from your fixed telephone line or *#31# from your mobile phone.
To arrange for CND blocking on all calls from your telephone, known as permanent CND blocking, contact your telephone service provider. Permanent CND blocking is provided at no cost.
Using Bluetooth
Bluetooth lets you connect wirelessly with other phones and devices within a radius of a few metres. It’s a popular way for people to transfer pictures, ringtones and music between phones. You can hear music or calls from your mobile using wireless headphones that are equipped with Bluetooth technology.
Although Bluetooth comes with many layers of security, there are some risks. It is possible for people to use your Bluetooth connection to send you messages, to gain access to your mobile or even to take control of your phone—using it to make calls, eavesdrop on conversations or connect to the internet—all without your knowledge.
Most Bluetooth devices come with a standard password, usually 0000 or 1234, which can then be changed to a new number. Due to the risk of hacking, the longer the number the better—though being memorable is also important. People trying to hack into phones will always look for the easiest option, so phones with the standard passwords will always be targeted first.
Changing Bluetooth settings so that the phone is not ‘discoverable’ is also important. This means that it can’t be found or discovered by another Bluetooth-enabled device searching for devices. You only need to make the phone discoverable when you actually want somebody to make contact with your device and attempt to ‘pair up’. Keeping your phone undiscoverable is a good protection against potential attack.
Bluetooth pairing happens when two Bluetooth-enabled devices communicate with each other. When you pair your phone to another phone, computer or other device for the first time, it’s best to do so in a private home or office, rather than in a café or other public place where your phone is most vulnerable.
Sometimes you might notice that your phone becomes unpaired while you are in public. This could be the sign of an attack on your phone, so it’s best to turn off Bluetooth and attempt to pair again in a private space.
GPS
Many new phones come equipped with Global Position Satellite (GPS) tracking, which enables the phone to show where you are on a map and help with navigation.
Some online services and software applications allow social networks of friends to keep track of each other’s location via GPS, in real-time. Think carefully before signing up, because although it can be a useful way for a parent to monitor their children’s activities, they are potentially a risk to personal security and privacy. If you do sign up, make sure you only allow your most trusted friends and relatives to have access to your location. If your children use the service, be extremely cautious about who they allow to know their whereabouts.