Questa è una versione PDF del contenuto. Per la versione completa e aggiornata, visita:
https://blog.tuttosemplice.com/en/value-added-numbers-guide-to-blocking-them-and-defending-yourself/
Verrai reindirizzato automaticamente...
An anomalous charge on your phone credit or an unexpected line item on your bill. It is a situation that many, unfortunately, have experienced. Often, the cause has a precise name: Value-Added Numbers. Also known by the acronym VAS (from Value Added Services), these services are the source of numerous unwitting activations and unwanted costs. They represent a complex world, where legitimate services mix with actual traps. This article was created to clarify what exactly they are, how they work, and, above all, what concrete tools we have to protect our finances and our digital peace of mind.
Knowledge is the first and most effective form of defense. Understanding the mechanisms behind these premium services is fundamental to avoiding unpleasant surprises. We will analyze the different types of numbers, the most devious activation methods, and the regulations put in place for consumer protection. The goal is to provide a practical and complete guide to manage, block, and, if necessary, dispute these charges, transforming every user into a conscious and protected consumer.
Value-Added Numbers, or Value-Added Services (VAS), are all those services that provide extra content or features compared to normal voice calls, SMS, and data traffic. These services, such as horoscopes, ringtones, news, games, or surveys, are delivered via phone calls or messages and have a cost higher than the base rate, which is charged directly to the remaining credit or phone bill. Although some are useful and requested, such as televoting or donations to charities, the problem arises when activation occurs without explicit and conscious consent from the user. Their “premium” nature makes them a channel for unexpected charges, turning simple web browsing or a distracted click into an expensive subscription.
To recognize and understand value-added services, it is useful to know their numbering, regulated in Italy by AGCOM (Authority for Communications Guarantees). There are different categories, each linked to specific types of service. Numbers starting with 89X (such as 892, 894, 895, and 899) are the most well-known and are associated with entertainment services, professional consulting, assistance, and mass calling, often with very high costs per minute or per call. Another important category is that of services accessible via SMS or MMS, which use special numbers starting with 4. These are frequently linked to subscriptions to receive news, weather, games, or other digital content. It is important to distinguish between the various types of numbers, as not all special rate ones are fraudulent, but awareness of risky prefixes is the first step for effective defense.
The activation of unsolicited paid services often happens through deceptive methods designed to mislead the user. One of the most common ways is the involuntary click on advertising banners while browsing the internet on a smartphone. Just an accidental tap on a seemingly harmless ad is enough to find yourself subscribed to a weekly service costing several euros. Equally widespread are SMS scams, where you are invited to reply to a message to cancel a fake service, achieving the opposite effect. The most insidious techniques, known as “zero-click”, can activate a subscription simply by visiting a malicious web page, without any interaction required from the user. These unfair practices exploit inattention and make prevention fundamental.
To counter the phenomenon of wild activations, AGCOM has introduced increasingly stringent regulations to protect users. With resolution 10/21/CONS, the Authority required telephone operators to implement a default block (barring) on most value-added services. This means that on new SIMs, and progressively also on those already active, premium services are disabled in advance. The user who wishes to activate them must make an explicit request. Furthermore, for the few services excluded from the automatic block (such as mobile ticketing, charitable donations, and banking services), a safer activation procedure has been introduced, requiring the insertion of a temporary password (OTP) to confirm the user’s intent. These measures, while being a fundamental step forward, do not entirely eliminate the risk, making personal vigilance still necessary.
The most effective solution to protect yourself is preventive blocking, known as barring. It is a free feature that all operators make available to inhibit the activation of premium services on your line. Requesting the block is simple and can be done through various channels. The quickest method is usually via the personal area on the website or the official app of your operator, looking for sections like “Service Management”, “Cost Control”, or “Paid Services”. Alternatively, it is always possible to contact customer service by phone and ask an operator to activate the block. For those who prefer direct contact, it is possible to go to a physical store of your provider. Activating this protection is a simple action that prevents the vast majority of unwanted charges and allows you to use your smartphone with greater peace of mind, sheltering yourself from unpleasant surprises and the need to recognize and block phone scams.
If a paid service has already been activated, it is essential to act promptly. The first step is to deactivate it immediately. Often, the activation SMS contains instructions to do so, usually by replying with a message containing the word “STOP”. If these indications are missing, it is necessary to contact your telephone operator immediately to block the service. Subsequently, it is possible and advisable to submit a refund request. You must contact customer service and explain that the activation occurred involuntarily, asking for the reversal of the charged amounts. Finally, to help counter the phenomenon, it is useful to report the incident to the Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) and AGCOM. This not only helps resolve your own case but supports the authorities’ action against unfair commercial practices.
The concept of premium services has its roots in the history of telephony. The tradition of these services dates back to the days of polyphonic ringtones and logos for mobile phones, purchased via special numbers like 166. They were the first examples of device customization, a flourishing market but even then characterized by little transparency. Innovation has radically transformed this landscape. On one hand, activation techniques have become more sophisticated and almost invisible, like zero-click scams. On the other hand, technological innovation has provided users with defense tools unthinkable in the past. Operator apps, selective blocking systems, and greater awareness, fueled by online resources, represent the evolution of consumer protection today. In this scenario, it is crucial to know how to manage your device settings to avoid unexpected expenses related to subscriptions and digital services.
Value-Added Numbers represent a complex reality of the telecommunications market, a gray area where legitimate commercial opportunities coexist with deceptive practices. The threat of involuntary activations and unexpected charges is concrete, but not insurmountable. Awareness is the first and most powerful defense tool at our disposal. Understanding what VAS are, recognizing risky numbers, and knowing the most common traps are essential steps.
However, knowledge alone is not enough if it is not followed by action. The most effective tool that every user has at hand is preventive blocking (barring), a free service offered by all operators that inhibits the possibility of activating these services at the root. It is a proactive choice that guarantees peace of mind. We invite every reader to check their line settings today via the app or customer area of their operator and activate the block. In a constantly evolving digital world, protecting your credit and data is an act of responsibility towards yourself.
Value-Added Numbers, also known as VAS (Value-Added Services) or premium services, are paid services that offer extra content and features compared to basic phone services like calls and SMS. They include horoscopes, ringtones, games, news, or videos, provided either by the telephone operator or by third-party companies. The charge can be per single content or based on a daily, weekly, or monthly subscription.
Involuntary activation is a common problem. It often happens by clicking, even by mistake, on advertising banners or deceptive links while browsing the internet on a smartphone. In some cases, activation can occur by visiting unsafe websites or replying to SMS messages that seem harmless. Immediately after, you receive an SMS notifying you of the activation and the first charge on your phone credit.
To avoid future activations, you can request the preventive blocking of paid services, known as «barring», from your telephone operator. You can do this by contacting customer service (by phone or via the app/customer area of the site) and explicitly asking to activate the block for VAS or premium rate numbers. Following an AGCOM resolution, since 2021 many SIMs, especially new ones, already have a pre-set block that can be removed only upon the customer’s explicit request.
Yes, it is possible to request a refund. The first thing to do is to deactivate the service immediately, often by replying «STOP» to the activation SMS or contacting your operator. Subsequently, you can submit a formal complaint to your provider, via customer service or the personal area, asking for a refund for unauthorized charges. In some cases, the refund is granted if the activation is recent, for example within the last 30 days. If the provider does not respond, you can turn to a consumer association.
The easiest way to verify the presence of active paid services is to access your personal area on your telephone operator’s website or via the official app. Look for a section named «Active Services», «My Offers», or «Content Services». From there, you should be able to view the list of active services on your line and proceed directly to their deactivation. Alternatively, you can contact customer service and ask an operator to perform a check for you.