Bill for 'unsolicited' text messages shocks first-time user, 67

The 67-year-old man was new to using a mobile phone. He soon got a shock: a HK$1,357 bill for text messages he had never asked to receive.

The man, who prefers not to be named, is just one victim caught out by short messaging service (SMS) charges.

'I don't even know what an SMS is,' he said. 'I won't pay. Just send me to prison.'

He was talking two days after the government started drafting a code of practice for network operators to safeguard people against misleading messages about fees.

The man started using Peoples' mobile service in July, paying HK$29 a month. But on August 21, he started receiving text messages that contained general-knowledge questions. By September, he had received about 200 text messages. In one hour on August 22, he received more than 70 such messages.

It started with him receiving a message - which he has printed out - that said: 'Hello. What is your name?' Then there was another: 'I am Yoyo. What are you doing?'

Subsequently, he received a message telling him he had subscribed to a content service. 'Welcome to SMS question and answer game. The user who answers the most questions correctly has the chance to get a trendy gift! Every week three messages are included. Each of them HK$5.' A number is included for inquiries on how to cancel the service.