BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)

Subject: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: eddie1
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:04 PM

I know there have been threads about this happening in the US and Snopes says it is FALSE but, I got this in an e-mail today in the UK

"Early next week all UK mobiles will be on a directory which will mean that
> anyone will be able to access the numbers. It is easy to unsubscribe but it
> must be done before the beginning of next week to make sure that you are ex
> directory. We have all unsubscribed and you may want to suggest it to all
> your friends and family who have UK mobiles or they could be swamped by
> unsolicited messages and calls. Removal is recommended by the BBC - see link
> below.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm
>
> The Directory of Mobile Phone numbers goes live next week.
> All numbers including those belonging to children will be open to cold
> calling and the general abuse that less scrupulous telesales people subject
> us too.
>
> To remove your number (you need your mobile phone with you to do this, they
> text you a code):
>
> http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove-me.html
>
>
> When on the site, click "Home" then "Ex-directory" this will remove you from
> the directory."

After checking the BBC website I tried the website for opting out and - surprise, surprise! It's down "due to essential maintenance"

I tried checking the BBC site for a date but I don't think even they would stoop so low as to use this as an April Fool prank!

The 118800 site (which can also be reached from the BBC website) looks real enough!

I will certainly be removing my number when I can.

Anyone know anything?

Eddie

Eddie
>
>

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: Becca72
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:19 PM

Sounds like a hoax to me...

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:23 PM

If it was real, don't you think you would be seeing information on legitimate sites? Places like newspapers, television, etc.?

If Snopes says it's a hoax, you can believe it.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: Michael
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:34 PM

Well it works, I put in my mobile number,they sent a code by email straight away, I put that in and they said I was ex-directory.


Seems fair enough to me.
Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: eddie1
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM

jeffp
Why do I think you might be in the US? I was careful to say that Snopes had found the story to be false in the US. I'm talking about the UK.
Go to the BBC website - don't use the link in the e-mail I received if you think it too might be a hoax. Google BBC News, go to News Front Page and half-way down on the right is a spot for "MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW", click on the headline for mobile phone directory and it will take you to the relevant website which has a video clip from "Working Lunch"
For your information, "Working Lunch" IS a television programme!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:46 PM

I would consider the BBC to be a reliable source. If that was your source, why did you ask?

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:47 PM

And, yes, I am in the US, where this story goes around every couple of years.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:50 PM

I think a mobile phone directory is a good idea. I quite enjoy telling cold callers what to do and what their parents did.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: eddie1
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 03:00 PM

Please can an elf re-title this thread to Mobile Phone Directory (UK)

Thanks

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: GUEST,Dee
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 07:41 PM

I just got the same email today (I live in the UK) and I'm going to do some real searching before I believe one of these. It might be true, I'll get back to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 11:08 PM

Well, Eddie, I suppose I could add (UK) to the title of the thread, but it would still be at least a partial hoax. If you Google a distinctive quote from the e-mail, you'll see it's mostly just another hoax - (click)
I will add "UK" to the thread title, however. The BBC confirms that there is a company that has collected some mobile numbers from public sources, and is about to publish them.

This message (click) seems like a fairly credible explnanation.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 12:15 AM

Ha. I posted a really good comment and it didn't show. So I shall repeat it:

"If it is NOT a hoax, I can't imagine a better way or creating a mobile phone directory than this." Expect junk calls.

What happened to the idea that you give out your mobile number only to 'special' people?

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 01:02 AM

Replace 'or' with 'of', sil vous plait.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: eddie1
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 02:14 AM

OK, if it is a hoax then I have been taken in as have many other people, including the BBC although they are far from infallible.

118800 is an existing directory enquiry service for landlines and their website is still down and displaying the following message;

"Apologies. Our website is currently unavailable as we carry out essential maintenance. However it will be available again tomorrow and you will be able to use any security code you have received to complete your ex-directory request. Please do not call 118000 for ex directory requests as you will be asked to visit our website tomorrow. . Thanks for your patience"

Beginning to look as if there is some credibility to the original e-mail I received.

It seems the system is that they do not give out your number but will advise that a connection is available and will connect callers to your number (at a charge of course). This is likely to deter idiots but not cold sales calls.

Joe - thanks for amending the thread title. I wish I had stuck the (UK) bit in at the beginning to avoid upsetting our American cousins!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 07:04 AM

From reading the website, it looks as though they send a text message to the phone of the person being enquired after - which costs the enquirer £1. The text contains the details of the enquirer and invites the person being enquired after to make contact. Cold texting at £1 a time - with a strong possibility of the text not being acted on - doesn't sound a profitable proposition.

The only thing that's odd, to me, is saying that you have to be ex-directory by a certain date. You should be able to become ex-directory, like landlines, at any time.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 07:54 AM

I've had several emails about this. I replied to one saying I'd bet their servers go down and it looks like I'm right.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: Becca72
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:08 AM

"118800 is an existing directory enquiry service for landlines and their website is still down and displaying the following message"

If this number is directory assistance for landlines, why would their message apply to your mobile? Would this not just add you to the "do not call" (as it's named in the US) list for your landline only?

If each text costs the phone user £1, then sending a few hundred thousand texts sounds reasonably profitable to me...

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: eddie1
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 09:31 AM

Becca72
A "balloon" on their website says "If you need someone's mobile and you don't have their number, we can help."

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: Stu
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 10:51 AM

Looks legit to me, although the server was down when I tried to take my number off.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 10:55 AM

Bloody disgusting that you need to 'opt out'! I'm getting to loathe being in such a prying, invasive country.

Oh well, at least the govt's ID card scheme with biometric crap has been ditched.. for now.

Subject: RE: BS: Mobile Phone Directory (UK)
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 11:07 AM

i never switch my mobile on;
unlesss "I" need to make an 'emergency' phone call to my mrs...

.. my 20 quid top up card has lasted for years..