EE Apologises For Bombarding Orange Users With Texts

EE has apologised for bombarding customers with texts about the operator’s ‘Magic Numbers’ offer for subscribers to tariffs on its Orange brand.

Magic Numbers let Orange users make free phone calls to other nominated Orange numbers so long as they are declared in advance.

Customers have complained about receiving up to 92 texts alerting them to the service over the past few days, while others said calls to the operator’s helpline had failed to solve the issue.  Others have expressed concerns they might be charged for the reminders as they are currently in a foreign country.

Orange Magic Numbers

“Unfortunately we’re having an issue with the text message service that reminds people they are eligible to add another magic number,” an EE community manager told irate users of the operator’s message boards. “This reminder should only be sent once, but some customers are getting multiple reminders. If you’ve received any of these duplicate messages, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience.

“I know some of you have also asked about whether you’ll be charged for these texts if you’re abroad. We can confirm that you are not charged to receive these texts even if you’re travelling outside the UK.”

Orange customers were receiving the unwanted messages until this morning, but EE says the issue has now been resolved.

“The text issue that was affecting some Orange customers has now been fixed,” an Orange spokesperson told TechWeekEurope. “The duplicate texts were caused by a script issue with one of our database suppliers, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Ironically, EE, along with O2, Three and Vodafone, is working with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to prevent nuisance text messages spreading across the UK’s four major mobile networks by signing up to the GSMA Spam Reporting Service.

UPDATE: 

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