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Kgb.com Catering to children, asking children to agree to terms and conditions without asking or verifying that they are of an age to do so Internet
On our phone bill last month we saw that there was a $79.80 charge for texting 542542 that our 11 year old made on his cell phone. This was a crazy charge (in our opinion) and I went to investigate it. I found out that 542542 is a text messaging site that charges $.99 per question answered. My stepson was asking questions to this site like, "How do I get a girl to like me" and such like that. Then the company would also send him text messages that mentioned something trivia-like and ask him to text them pack a word to find out more about it.
I called the company to inform them that the person they were soliciting questions from and answering questions from was a minor. The person I talked to sounded very concerned and told me that the refund department would get back to me within 48 to 72 hours. I received an email from the "refund department" (sounds like a silly name to me since from the email I wonder if they ever issue refunds) and was told that they wouldn't refund the money. Actually I was told that back in October, my stepson agreed to the charges and therefore he agreed to the terms and conditions. (Although they never even asked him if he was of an age where he could agree to the terms and conditions.)
I have just researched our phone records and saw that he did have ONE text message in October to them and then he didn't text them again until the end of January. Although I'm not saying he didn't do anything wrong. He did. He lost his phone over this. I have blocked KGB off of his phone as well (as a just in case.)
My husband even contacted a tv station in which the person sent an email telling my husband that he was interested in this and he would contact him early this week for an interview and to see if they can help and turn this into a story. ... To be honest, I'm not sure what it'll accomplish but I would love for others to see that this company doesn't see any need to be held accountable for not making sure that the person who was texting "YES" to them was at an age where they could be held to their terms and conditions.
I know it was only $79.80 (this month). I think next month will be around $8 since we caught it pretty early on, but what bothers me is their lack of accountablity.
I did learn though that I need to go through my cell phone company and cut off the capability to text any of these type of sites. I just have to contact our cell phone company and ask for the Premium Text Messaging to be taken off of the kids' phones.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Debbie
Gahanna,Ohio,
United States of America
Reply regarding age
#3Author of original report
Mon, April 26, 2010
Actually they do not even ask the child's age or whether they are old enough to do so. Even porn sites ask the age and take that precaution before going on. Would it make that much of a difference? Probably not, but at least it's there and it could warrant some children to decide not to do it.
Regardless of that, they did issue a refund for the text messages. They requested that I update this and show that everything has been resolved to Ripoffreport.com. I have been debating it to be honest. I'm thrilled that this has been resolved for me and I'm very thankful to them for doing so ... but to be honest, the question for me that remains is what about the greater good? It worked out for me and that's great, but what about all of those other people that it doesn't work out for? Just calling the company to complain about it did nothing. It wasn't until I put it in writing for all to see that they actually called me back to discuss it.
Also, even though I told them to block us off of their service, my stepson still receives text messages from them asking him a question or something like that. Is that his fault as well? He knows not to respond to those messages but it annoys me that even after all of this and with me calling in and telling them that we no longer want anymore text messages that they still are texting his phone.
I do agree that it is the parents' responsibility if they give a child a phone, but I do not agree saying that KGB did nothing wrong.
Tasty Sushi
Florida,USA
Sorry, this doesn't sound like KGB's fault.
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, April 26, 2010
Unfortunately, this is not something that is KGB's fault. As much as I would like to grind a company for being at fault, a business that works off of text messaging, internet, or other services where they cannot see or prove a contact's age has a disadvantage, or possibly an advantage, depending on your point of view. The shield to block this comes from the parents.
I work in customer relations and research. I locate information, and make sure the customer gets it. How old this customer is is irrelevant to me. If I get an email that asks me to locate a used Honda Civic for them at under $1000, I'm not going to send an email back asking if they can actually drive it. I am going to assume that they have a driver's license, looking for a car.
The terms of this company is pretty clear: You acknowledge that you're responsible for the use of the phone. They do not monitor nor do they have an obligation to monitor for age.
Sending text messages can be bothersome. Getting a big bill from a company that you consider questionable at best just seems wrong. Yet the company did nothing legally wrong. Why? Because it's a business, and business do what they have to do to make money. Should they have given you a break? Yeah, maybe. But 79.80? That's small change compared to some that spend thousands on fortune teller hot lines and similar services.
Regardless, it's good that you took the phone away. A valuable lesson that just because technology allows you to do lots of things, you shouldn't allow it to get out of hand, especially when giving it to your kids.