Warning on 'stop Iraq war' fax poll

26/3/03
Consumers and business people should be aware that a 1900 fax message poll asking for an opinion on Australia being involved in the war with Iraq is a costly scam.
The fax poll originates from England and asks people to answer yes or no on Australia's involvement in the war against Iraq.
"The cost of sending the return fax is quoted as $5.50 per minute," Mr Kobelke said.
"Depending on the type and speed of your fax machine, the message can take two to 10 minutes to send.
"This could leave some people with a bill of $55 to reply.
"The inflated fax fee is charged to the sender's facsimile account, with the originator pocketing the majority of the money."

Mr Kobelke said although the originator claimed the poll results would be presented to the Prime Minister, there was no proof this would be done.
He said there was every chance the English-based operator was just another scam artist out to make a quick dollar from a tragic world event.
"I think it is outrageous that anyone would use a 1900 information system to make money out of this terrible conflict and Western Australians should ignore it," the Minister said.
"1900 and 1902 numbers are often used for competitions and to obtain information by fax from television shows.
"People calling these numbers for any reason should always carefully check the cost of the calls as they are almost always charged by the minute."
Although the company sending the fax is complying with regulations that require them to declare the cost per minute of fax-on-demand services, people may still be duped into replying and paying exorbitant fax bills.
Contact Consumer Protection on telephone number 1300 30 40 54 for further information or forward the fax to WA ScamNet on 9282 0862.
"People wishing to lobby the Prime Minister on the war in Iraq would be advised to make direct contact with the Prime Minister's office or their local Federal Member of Parliament," Mr Kobelke said.
Minister's office: 9222 9211