What are they playing at (DC Marketing)?
Over the last few months, 4 Wise Monkeys has vigourously and tirelessly reported on the business practices of DC Marketing. We have provided people with the insight and the knowledge of their ongoing scam to insure that people no longer get caught out.
Yesterday one of the 4 Wise Monkeys mobile phones started receiving numerous SMS Messages every 10 minutes from DC Marketing's "wordgame". It appears that everytime someone sends a reply to the game then they will also receive the message.
We sent a Cease and Decist order to DC Marketing yesterday which they have chosen to ignore.
Today when we looked at VRPAN's website and looked at their current news we noticed the following message:
Unauthorised database usage
18.5.06: It came to our attention that around 250 of our customers have been spammed by a 0433 number today. The suspected person is obviously connected to an online forum, which is constantly disseminating false information about our promotions.The suspect is to our information already subject to criminal investigation in NSW and Queensland. We are currently analysing how the person could break into our customer datbase. A new security system has been installed immediately. If you are also harassed by the suspect, please don't hesitate to contact us on investigation@vrpan.com.
I would like to point out at this point that Munndays' number is of course an very similar number. This is of course not an online 'forum' but an online 'blog' (DC Marketing does not have the greatest technological insight in our experiance).
We will pursuing this further, but I must say DC Marketing: I lol'd.
DC Marketing continues to make false alligations and poor management choices to try to get this blog to stop it's reporting on the issues at hand. We have written honestly and truthfully in every regard which has given them no legal standing. We will continue to supply everyone with the current information on this scam.
I also would like to thank DC Marketing for the influx of website hits, our unique vistors per day has gone up 447% per day according our stats, which is in largepart due to the humerous actions of DC Marketing. So, Thank-You.
Regards.
4 Wise Monkeys
-
Intresting how they are trying to accuse 4wisemonkeys of “hacking” their database and spamming there customers.
I hope DC marketing and all the fraudsters involved go down for this.
What legal standing does 4wm have againsed dc-marketing?
May 19th, 2006 at 11:12 am -
If DC Marketing has been engaging in DDOS attacks at your site, and you can demonstrate where these DDOS attacks are from, they are criminally for ‘cybercrime’ thanks to ammendments a few years back to the commonwealth crimes act.
Jono says...May 19th, 2006 at 1:18 pm -
[edited due to encouraging violent actions] - skelm
Ahmed says...May 21st, 2006 at 11:00 am -
Hey guys, what’s the latest?
Scottasaurus says...May 25th, 2006 at 12:38 pm -
We’re currently working on a number of leads, we are also in touch with a lot of people in some rather prominant positions. We will provide you with an update shortly.
May 25th, 2006 at 3:05 pm -
Received one of these calls this morning at 9:20 from 02 84042203. My number has the prefix 0402.
Ro says...May 26th, 2006 at 4:49 pm -
DannyR got ’spammed’ by [02 8404 2296] on 1 missed call on 23-05-2006 16:49:47
I did NOT call that number back. Need to notify ACCC.
My Mobile prefix is 0414 from Western Australia!
Thanks to Google and 4WM
Danny says...May 27th, 2006 at 6:45 pm -
Okay I posted a few days ago to say I’d gotten spammed by DC Marketing for what I *think* was the first time. The following day my phone rang but I had to cancel it before picking it up. Later I checked my voice-mail and there was some dodgy pre-recorded message about my mobile randomly winning 8 Media Credits redeemable for mobile games and tones at the website www\.unlimitedtones\.com\.au
The recording asked me to press 1 if I agreed and then went on to thank me for my response (which I can’t have given because it was recorded on my voicemail!)
I wonder if these guys have anything to do with DC Marketing?
Seems a big coincidence I get these messages at the same time.Today I saw a missed call on my mobile and once again it was DC Marketing - the second time!! 0381029565 (my phone is Optus 0422 ……)
Christopher says...May 28th, 2006 at 7:15 pm -
hmmm… I have been getting these calls for a few months now. Have received about 4 or so? Don’t know the numbers - just missed calls from an 03 number. Did not call back as don’t know anyone in Melbourne, and figured they would call me back it it was anything important.
I am vodafone - 0415
Kiri says...May 29th, 2006 at 9:23 am -
Well.. I heard about this ‘advertising scheme’ the other day when my partner rang me to tell me that she had apparently won some competition and could I ring this number for her, as she apparently couldn’t.. When she started to read out a 1902 number, I immediately thought is stunk rankly of scam. So, I looked up the details that she had heard in the ‘voice recording’, and came across several other internet pages that talked about other people getting the same ’simon’ dude telling them that they’d one.
So, I promptly informed her that this was sounding like a scam, and I’m glad she couldn’t ring that 190 221 15191 number (I like the way they make is sound like NOT a 1902 number by splitting out the 190 and the 2 BTW)…
So, then I promptly forgot about it… until yesterday (sunday)… As it happend, I was interstate in Victoria for work on the weekend, and given that I was near where my brother lived, I gave him a call earlier in the week. He wasn’t home, so I left a message saying I’d be in town, and would like to catch up.
Well, at the Airport on sunday waiting for the plane, I noticed that I had a missed call on my phone, and given that it was from an (02) number, I mistakenly thought it was a vic number, and maybe it was my brother calling me back.. So.. I wasted a good $1 of my credit to call this missed number back thinking it was my brother, only to have Simon telling me that I was a winner.. yay… thanks simon…. But I think I’ll live without spending $3 a minute calling your winning ‘hotline’ for god only knows how long.
Incidently, the my mobile is an optus on (0422), and my partner is a 0400 (also optus).. The missed call I had was from (02) 8404 2296 (or as it came up 0284042296)..
So… I’d like to say a HUGE thankyou to the lovely company for wasting my time and money on a call I never would’ve made had I of known exactly where it was from.. talk about annoying marketing practices… Also… Where is the ‘opt-out’ option for them?? If email must have opt-out to not be considered spam, then surely these guys should have some similar processes to?? At least an email, I can delete straight away.. I had to waste my own money on this… Still.. I’m sure that their telephone company is MORE than happy with them for their marketing practices… Afterall.. All this money they get from people calling back the ‘missed’ call…..
DARKMAZE says...May 29th, 2006 at 5:06 pm -
Two “missed calls” so far, Optus 0411x - Thanks for the site, very helpful! I passed the word onto all I know
Ross says...May 29th, 2006 at 6:21 pm -
I got a call from 03 8102 9565 this evening (29/5/06) at 8:00PM or so. My mobile number prefix is 0422. Thanks for running this site, guys, it’s great to have a heads-up on what the marketers are up to.
Paul
May 29th, 2006 at 10:29 pm -
Missed call a while ago from 02 8404 2298.
And another yesterday from some other number.
I`m Vodafone but a couple of workmates got the same calls on different carriers.
Thanks for all the info.
Hope this gets Public soon.
notatus says...May 29th, 2006 at 11:31 pm -
I too have received this message from Simon and DC Marketing several times. The first time was months ago and I did report it to the ACCC and report a scam hotline. I was told that it would be investigated.
I can’t believe this company can get away with this and It’s good to see I am not the only one completely annoyed about it. I can’t help but think about younger teens with mobile phones (who’s parents are paying for the bill) or others that might not be internet savvy enough to google this number like I did.
Bec says...May 30th, 2006 at 9:27 am -
Got the same thing.
Bastards rang at 2230hrs, which is well past my bedtime. Not laughin about that. Maybe I should get their number and ring them up at 0510 when I get up…
About to report it to ACCC now.
FYI, mob # is Optus 0422
al says...May 30th, 2006 at 9:47 am -
Lodged a complaint with NSW Fair Trading today over being called at 10:32pm last night. My number is 0422 Optus like Al above.
May 30th, 2006 at 11:08 am -
Do DC have anything to do with the recent ‘Your Lucky Day’ tv ad scams?
Bloody hate those ads… :/
May 30th, 2006 at 11:27 am -
Received a ‘missed call’ (only 1 ring) at 2046 yesterday from
02 8404 2215. I am on Optus.
Dave says...May 30th, 2006 at 12:19 pm -
recieved a missed call from 0284042213 on 15/6 at 18:04. hadn’t heard about this scam and rang it back thinking it was a mate from sydney. laughed and hung up when i heard the 1900 number start to be read. wanted to know do they only score cash if you cal the 1900 number? they cant get anyhting for the call to the 02 number can they?
rob says...June 1st, 2006 at 1:37 pm -
Hi, my number prefix is 0422 with optus. In the last week I got 2 missed calls from the numbers on the lists. Just now I had a call from 03 8102 9565 which I was able to answer with a prerecorded message to go to a website to redeem points blah blah blah.
Has anyone else had this? Previously it’s only rung once before hanging up, and on my slow nokia the tone doesnt even start, only the screen lights up.
aaron says...June 1st, 2006 at 5:28 pm -
Yay.. Twice in a week.
Hope this doesn’t mean that it’s going to be on the increase..
Where is the option to unsubscribe from their list??15:45 CST today (02 Jun 2006) got a call from (03) 8102 9565.
I think something needs to be done about this.
I can report someone for spamming my email address, but not my mobile phone? Why.. Because it’s a voice advert instead of an electronic one? DARKMAZE says...June 2nd, 2006 at 4:17 pm -
Well, I’m a fool, I rang the 1900 number back today and I was going to check internet before doing it to see what it was all about but didn’t, that’ll teach me. I have had a few missed calls over the last week or so coinciding straight after I received a new phone so I thought it must have been some promotion for my new brand of phone. Well, haven’t received the free(?) ringtones yet so hopefully after reading about this stuff, I am able to save myself. Feel pretty silly now. For info… Optus 0403 and the number that called was 0284042215. 1900 968 946 and the mobile number for sending text was 0428 675 947
Wendy says...June 4th, 2006 at 11:06 am -
hi again. My girlfriend got a call this morning. Her prefix is 0431, on optus and the number was from 0284042296.
Good hunting guys
Jon M says...June 5th, 2006 at 1:04 pm -
Hi guys,
about 1hr ago, got a missed call from (02) 84042236. I googled it as I don’t know anyone in Sydney and came accross this site.
June 5th, 2006 at 1:58 pm -
6/6/06 - Received a missed call from 02 84042236 on my phone (Telstra, prefix 0408).
Another phone I control that has the next sequential number also received missed call from same number a moment after mine.
Michael Smith says...June 6th, 2006 at 4:20 pm -
I knew i should’ve googled that damn number - 0284042296. I’m tempted to go wait at their mailbox in sydney with my “talking stick”.
Anton says...June 6th, 2006 at 5:29 pm -
Just adding some data to your file…
2 calls from (03) 9540 5189 on 13/04/06, both to Telstra 0408 numbers (mine and my husband’s; mine came through at 9:46 am)
1 call from (02) 8404 2236 at 5:19 pm on 06/06/06 to my Telstra 0408 number
Keep it up, mates!
Liz says...June 6th, 2006 at 9:20 pm -
Here’s an interesting twist. My home number is on that list. I’m certainly not affiliated with DC Marketing or anything else - I’d been getting tons of hang-up calls (2-3 a day for weeks) which is odd considering I never, ever use my home phone except for conference calls and overseas calls a few times a month (mobile for everything else).
Spoke to a few people this morning that rang me because they saw the numbers on a warning email going around (and so they rang me, weird but hello people), and then a guy rang that said he got a missed call from me at 7:15AM, when I was in bed asleep (I live by myself). We had a chat trying to figure the situation out, and then a few hours later (after another caller forwarded me the email) the guy was nice enough to ring me back and point me here.
So yes, it’s all a bit weird, really! Would love to know what the story is. I’m in Melbourne, and my home phone # is with iinet (both DSL and home phone).
June 7th, 2006 at 1:09 pm -
@Matt B: That is indeed and intesting situation.
Going to have to see what the lawyers have to say about that :-\
It seems odd that DC Marketing is using spoofed numbers though.
This could be a tangent run of prank calls.One half being from DC Marketing, and the other just being random people doing it just for the hell of it.
June 7th, 2006 at 1:16 pm -
I was warned about the scam I am with Optus, wonder if this has anything to do with a company called WIN promotions that charges you $3.00 per weird text message sent to your inbox as a service message. I had to put a barr on my mobile after receiving $40 of these sick emails, is it just a coincidence.
Jackie says...June 7th, 2006 at 7:19 pm -
I had one from 0284042236. Googled, found this site, etc etc. I’m in Sydney on Virgin 0408 transferred from Telstra, FWIW.
All power to the 4WM and let me know if you need an affidavit or whatever.
June 7th, 2006 at 7:41 pm -
Just found out about the scam ….
I’ve had two calls -
(1) on 16/03/06 at 19:09 on 03 95405189 &
(1) last night at 23:37 on 02 84042215I’m with Optus 0401
EssieG says...June 8th, 2006 at 2:56 pm -
re: Michael Smith Says:
6/6/06 - Received a missed call from 02 84042236 on my phone (Telstra, prefix 0408).
Another phone I control that has the next sequential number also received missed call from same number a moment after mine.
–
Is there mention anywhere on this site about the legalities of war-dialing? I thought it was against the law to redial within 30 seconds of disconnection.. or is that just a telephone provider “acceptable use” rule. Regardless, Michael didn’t note a half-minute delay. Legal ammo, SP ammo?
Smelstra Customer says...June 9th, 2006 at 12:14 am -
Missed a call yesterday 02 8404 2296 (I am on Optus).
Did a google and found this page, so here I am.
montai says...June 9th, 2006 at 9:25 am -
Yep me 2, I have a Telstra Pre-paid. Googled the number out of curiosity, great minds think alike!
I’m not calling back…..
tazmanian says...June 9th, 2006 at 10:21 pm -
I just got a missed call this morning from 02 8404 2296. Hadn’t had any others since my first apparent DC Marketing nuisance call six weeks ago (from an 03 number which lead me to this site). Am on Virgin.
John says...June 10th, 2006 at 12:09 pm -
I’ve received 7 thus far. My mobile prefix is 0433, i’m from Brisbane, Qld.
Gabriel says...June 10th, 2006 at 12:41 pm -
just an update…. I’ve just received another call this very minute.. from 0381029565
Gabriel says...June 10th, 2006 at 12:54 pm -
Just received a call from 0284042296.
I’m on a Virgin Mobile (0431) in Melbourne.
Except from Virgin, my number was on 2 job boards (Seek, JobServe) for a while … (offlined them last week, though). Are these just random numbers calls? It wastes batteries that’s not bearable!
vr113 says...June 10th, 2006 at 10:28 pm -
A few months ago Neil Mitchell on 3AW (melbourne) received a missed call from DC Marketing and followed it up. I don’t think he got very far, but he was definetly aggravated.
Ac couple of nights later I think Today Tonight ran a story about DC Marketing as well.
Jasmine says...June 11th, 2006 at 3:13 am -
Hi nice work just read about you in the new’s papper then got on the computer and guess what happened as I found your site !!!
Yep just got the missed call and I’m with virgin mobile
thanks for your work keep it up !
Darren says...June 11th, 2006 at 10:34 am -
AGAIN - another missed call from 0284042236 11/06/06 17:16 - third time this year. My Mum got a call yesterday too.. I’m 0408 and she’s 0407… Get the pr*cks who do this… It’s so frustrating.
Kate says...June 11th, 2006 at 5:21 pm -
Thanks to google and 4WM, I did not have to puzzle too long over an unrecognised number on my mobile (0284042236), received on Telstra 0408 prefix…what happens now?
Arnold says...June 12th, 2006 at 2:51 pm -
I had one on the 11-6-06 from 02 8404 2242, am in Townsville with Telstra Pre-paid (0409).
Lee says...June 13th, 2006 at 8:11 am -
I have been called by these people a number of times. I always know it’s them as my wife get’s called seconds later (her number is 1 number above mine)
I tried making complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (http://www.tio.com.au/), NSW Department of Fair Trading (http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/), the Telephone Information Services Standards Council (http://www.tissc.com.au/) and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (http://www.accc.gov.au/).
All of the above were beyond useless, some organisations trying to pass me back and forth between. I suggest everyone try complaining to all of the above and maybe oneday something will be done.
V Hunter says...June 13th, 2006 at 11:29 am -
I just missed a call from 0284042298 too…I’m in Melbourne and though it odd someone from NSW was ringing me (i don’t know anyone there…) so I googled the number and found this site.
Guess I’ll just have to wait for the a/p message to come through now.
On 0410 Vodafone.
Rob says...June 14th, 2006 at 9:37 am -
just to make everyone aware… i rang virgin mobile about a missed call from dc marketing….was informed buy the guy at virginmob that somehow the dc marketing scam is legit through some loophole
chris says...June 14th, 2006 at 10:59 am -
I received a call at 2339 last night (luckily i was asleep and did not hear the phone ring!) from 0284042236. My number starts with 0401, and I’m with B.
Just checked my phone and i had received one from them back on May 11.
Natalie says...June 14th, 2006 at 5:58 pm -
Wow just found out about this site from a friend and i linked it to a car forum i’m part of to spread the word.
Back on the 18th May i got 2 missed calls in one day from 02 8404 2213, i’m with telstra and its an 0400 number.
Maybe someone should put a petition to the prime minister to change laws that might make this illegal. Bet he’d want to do something if he kept getting phone spam from them.
Chris
Chris M says...June 14th, 2006 at 8:37 pm -
Hey guys,
i’ve recieved a few of these calls, most recently on the 11th from 02 84042235 and on the 13th of may from 0284042213.
I’m on optus with an 0421 pre-fix.
Is there anything that can be done about this anyone?
Legal loop hole my as_. Surely something can be done…
Adam says...June 15th, 2006 at 12:42 am -
got a spam call from 0284042236 today 15/6/06
i’m guessing if your phone has voice mail switched on then they won’t call you as it would cost them too much money if the call got picked up immediately by voicemail?
david says...June 15th, 2006 at 8:25 am -
just for another note..
few weeks back received a call from 02 8404 2213 and today (at 3:45pm) received a call (to my mobile; 0421.. (Optus) ) from 02 8404 2236.
Was tempted to cal them back- but haven’t (thinking they must know me.. but obviously not!).
Aaron says...June 16th, 2006 at 6:13 pm -
and also;
am from Victoria / Australia ..
Aaron says...June 16th, 2006 at 6:14 pm -
I also got a missed call from 0284042236. Thank you guys for informing the community about these scammers. I have an Optus mobile phone. 0421
Lui says...June 16th, 2006 at 10:22 pm -
Have had a few missed calls, as my partner as well. We dont know the number, we dont ring back, but never thought it was an actual scam.
Legally. If I have not subscribed to this, then I should not pay anything…right, until I OPT-IN. even though the return number is regular, not 1902, it still cost me money for something I did not request, and we have not got any ringtones or anything!! why do they think, I think this is o.k.Also, if you go for the refund, you need to supply your phone bill with all the numbers you rang!!, Cant shake the feeling that they will do anything to get your info, or those you know.
Maxx E says...June 17th, 2006 at 12:55 am -
Funny thing - I read about this on the SMH website yesterday, and less than 24 hrs later I got my first call from this scam. Lucky timing I guess.
I wonder if they are just randomly dialing numbers, I have never made this number available (0421) to anyone execept some friends, it is a secondary number on an Optus plan I signed on to basically for the included phone and the free time.
Ray says...June 17th, 2006 at 12:42 pm -
Hi all, I just received a call from 02 84042236, I didn’t know the number so didn’t answer then found this site. My phone is Vodafone with 0421 prefix.
The only people who know my number are friends and clients. So how are they getting our numbers.
Greg says...June 18th, 2006 at 9:21 pm -
I have had two of these now - last one from 02 84042216
mobile is 0432 prefix (optus based third party provider)
Ed says...June 19th, 2006 at 12:13 pm -
Received a call at 9:30pm from 0284042236 on my 0415 prefix phone number.
I’ve had one before, but it was months ago. In March or so? Anyway, it’s very annoying.
Julenka says...June 20th, 2006 at 12:39 am -
I myself recently received a call just a few mintes ago (12:42pm) from (02) 84042236. I’ve with Optus with the prefix 0415, so it looks like that’s todays lucky number!
Can’t say I’ve had one before, but most of the time I forget about missed calls and don’t bother Googling them!
Mitch says...June 20th, 2006 at 12:46 pm -
I got a (missed) call from these scumbags too, 0284042236. May they rot in hell.
Jorgen Smith says...June 20th, 2006 at 2:23 pm -
Uh, and my mobile is an 0408 with Telstra. The call happened on 2006-06-09 11:23.
Jorgen Smith says...June 20th, 2006 at 2:26 pm -
I got a call on my 0433 number too, glad i googled the number before i called back.
Cheeky fuckers.
justin says...June 20th, 2006 at 4:05 pm -
I got a call at 19:41 from 0284042236, I am vodafone (0415) What is this?
Hannah says...June 20th, 2006 at 10:46 pm -
Another call. 23:12 20/06/2006 from (02) 8404 2236, I too am vodafone (0415) very similar to above.
Jessica600 says...June 21st, 2006 at 12:30 am -
talking to my family about the phone scam my youngest brother informed me of one of his mates who recieved a missed call from an 02 number, thinking it was a buisness associate he dialed the number and found out it was dc marketing..he was ont he phone no longer then 30 seconds… when he got his bill he almost died when he saw that call cost him $1500.00.. normaly it is $100.00
he rang the ACCC and the ACCC r investigating this and possily the federal police will be involved chris says...June 21st, 2006 at 8:03 pm -
Oh great after reading Chris’s message I feel sick. I got the missed call from 0284042296 on the 08/06/2006 to my 0431 optus prepaid but because it was a 02 number and I live in NSW I rang it on my home phone due to no credit on the mobile phone. I have not got that phone bill yet but now I’m freaking out. What should I do if it’s a high phone call?
Kylie says...June 22nd, 2006 at 12:43 am -
[...] Contact DC Marketing here is the information (18th May 2006) DC Marketing starts Lying about 4WM: What are they playing at (DC Marketing)? (19th May 2006) It’s been a while, let’s do an update: DC Marketing: Fresh Update (8th [...]
April 24th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Subscribe via RSS