:::CASE calls on telcos to use opt-in phone service

We are dismayed that SingTel justified its opt-out phone service by pointing to a precedent set by another telco. Two wrongs do not make a right. We believe that Singtel should distinguish itself from others by providing transparent phone services that consumers will understand and appreciate. Moreover the other telco, M1 has reverted subsequently to an opt-in scheme for its new subscribers. CASE calls on SingTel to convert its opt-out service to an opt-in plan.

CASE notes that M1, too, uses an opt-out plan for its overseas missed call alert service initially as well, which is likewise unacceptable. Ever since its opt-out plan was made known in the media, M1 subscribers affected by the initial opt-out plan have been reporting to CASE that they were charged for the overseas missed call alert service, of which they had not been aware. They felt that they should have been offered the opt-in plan instead like M1 new subscribers. M1 should make refunds to those affected subscribers who had not used or agreed to subscribe to their service when it was offered under the opt-out plan. 

Consumers should not be made to pay for services that they had not used or had not agreed to subscribe. Mere information by SMS alone does not give the service provider the right to charge consumers automatically. 

Common concerns relate to misleading information on advertisements where advertisements sufficiently depict a different message of the product or service. A company should present the information as transparent as possible.

ASAS also looks into untruthful presentation of content where claims made are without basis or unlikely to be true. The following table is a complaint statistics ASAS received in 2003 and Jan-Feb 2004.

Contact ASAS

Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS)
c/o Consumers Association of Singapore
170 Ghim Moh Road #05-01
Ulu Pandan Community Building
Singapore 279621
Tel: 6461 1888
Fax: 6463 7048
Email: asas@case.org.sg
Contact: Ms Priscilla Low (Secretary) or Ms Melinda Khoo (Asst Secretary)

More details on ASAS, please click HERE.
 

:::::That is what one of the newest member of CaseTrust is well-known for.

This is what a new CaseTrust company tells its customers  “Excellent Maids for Expats. Guaranteed 365 Days, or Replaced FREE!”

   “I am glad that 121 Personnel Services is able to uphold the high standards of being a CaseTrust member,” said Eddy Lam, partner. “It is indeed an honour for us to be part of this elite group of merchants.”

   Helen Tan, partner, added “we always do our best and our Match-Point System of matching transfer helpers to expatriates has been well-received. Perhaps an excerpt of a testimonial of one of our valued client said it the best…”

CaseTrust is playing an active role in Singapore branding. CaseTrust is a programme called to develop a trust mark for consumer goods and services, in both brick and mortar as well as cyber store fronts. CaseTrust is a quality mark which stands for quality, trust and a "be sure, not sorry" policy.  CaseTrust accredits and promotes companies with good and transparent business practice and service delivery - accreditated companies display the CaseTrust mark at their store front and websites to enable consumers to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack.

For the full list of CaseTrust members, please click HERE.

:::::::"Fair Trading & You" Guide Book

CASE has produced a concise legislation guide titled "Fair Trading & You" on how the CPFTA affects both consumers and traders. To enhance readability and the understanding of the Act, this guide is specially designed in a question and answer format. Its main attraction is the comics that illustrate the different aspects of the Act.

Know your rights today! Purchase the "Fair Trading & You" booklet at $2.00 (exclusive of GST) per copy.  Popular Bookstores & NTUC Fairprice outlets carry them. Rebates are available for bulk purchases.

The Chinese version will come out soon.

 ::::::::Free Forum on Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act

Implications of CPFTA on your businesses

Date: 15 April 2004, 2-5pm

Venue: HDB Hub Ponggul room

Speakers: Mr Sebastian Quek from CASE

                                                  Mr Shermon Loo from SPRING Singapore

Please call Ms Zhao Li at 64611814 for registration.

:::::::::On the radio, look out for info on consumer issues
                                                                                                                                  

Every Saturday from 8.00am to 9.00am, call in to News Radio FM93.8 (Tel: 6691 1938) to ask our panel of consumer experts any questions on consumer-related issues. This Saturday Mr Richard Lim and Ms Amy Ang will speak on being CASE volunteer and  CPFTA.

There will be no CASE Talk on Capital Radio FM95.8 (Tel: 6691 1958) this Friday from 11.00 am to 12.00pm.

We will continue to serve you from next Friday.