I don't know how they did it, maybe they called from abroad? The account was empty this morning, anyway.
I repeat. Even from abroad, when picking up, you do not pay for the received call. Unless you were abroad with a Polish SIM card. Then there is a charge for the received call. It is possible that you unknowingly clicked the button during the conversation (according to the hint) which was the consent to the subscription (receipt of paid SMS). Another option is to initiate a conversation from your phone.
It is doubtful that the account should be empty on an incoming call. There is such a thing as a call at the recipient's expense, however, in Orange, after receiving such a call, we hear a clear message that it is payable and you have to agree to it. http://www.orange.pl/portal/map/map/article?id=3030312 It is impossible to call me at my expense if I do not agree to it - in other words, after answering the call and listening to the message, I will remain on the line. It works in such a way that the caller orders a call at your expense and waits for you to answer and listen to the message. If you don't hang up, the connection will be established. However, if you do not answer, the machine will call you a second time after a while and if you stay on the line, it automatically dials the number of the person who called you.
I don't know how you have to be sleepy to miss the call message at your own expense.
Another known case of this type of fraud is the so-called "ringing", if you are not on the phone, you have missed calls, you think that someone called you and you called back. When you call back, it charges you terrible amounts for the call.
I don't know why you lost money forgetting to hang up an answered call? After all, you do not pay for calls received in the country (Poland) from any number and from wherever it is.
Many years ago I called from my cell (Idea Centertel) on my cousin's (PTC ERA GSM). Although it was me who made the connection, not my cousin, this conversation appeared in my cousin's billing, not mine. Fortunately, I had a hidden number at the time, so my cousin only counted the time of the call, free of charge, to the number "0". I do not know if it was a system error that appeared after some accidental pressing of the "magic combination" of keys or maybe such a special "system gate" for operators and other "agents" but this clearly proves that you can redirect not only the connection but also its costs . The incoming payable SMSes each time also prove the possibility of redirecting the connection costs.
System error, something like this happened to me a long time ago - I called the service office, filed a complaint and recovered every penny of money.
On the other hand, you must agree to receive paid SMS by sending back an SMS. It's not like we get an SMS and have to pay for it. This is how all lotteries, such as you won a BMW, work, send an SMS to collect a prize - the cost is PLN 5. And then you get another SMS, 5 PLN each.
... Fortunately, I had a hidden number at the time, so my cousin only counted the time of the call, free of charge, to the number "0" ...
The number is hidden only for the receiver and not for the operator. The hidden caller number has nothing to do with the billing. Of course, the option of paying for collection is technically possible (e.g. at the expense of the recipient or subscription SMSs). Without the receiving action (consent) it shouldn't have happened except for system errors. Then the only way out is to file a complaint. I have had cases in TP SA where fees for missed calls were charged. No connection possible (short intermittent signal in times of great difficulties in long-distance connections). I submitted a complaint, which was accepted despite the fact that there were a dozen or so 5-10s calls with the same number on the bill, and then one conversation lasting several minutes. I just advertised these short ones as failed connection attempts (that's what it was).
I don't know how they did it, maybe they called from abroad? The account was empty this morning, anyway.
As DiZMar wrote, you do not pay for answered calls and it does not matter where you are calling from. Unless you were not in the country and you had a national number.
Don't be misleading. If someone calls back to the domestic landline or domestic mobile number, regardless of where the recipient switches, the payer is paid according to the tariff of the dialed number, not the number to which the machine will redirect itself.
I wrote it correctly.
noel200 wrote:
The number looks like a landline ...
But it is not. It has one digit too many. For example, the Płock area code begins as the Seychelles area code (24). Such a connection, when we forget to press the red receiver, can be overwhelming for our wallet.
It is also worth remembering that if someone calls us and we are abroad, we also pay despite the incoming call.
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✨ The discussion revolves around receiving calls from "private numbers," which often leads to confusion and annoyance among users. Participants speculate that these calls may originate from telemarketing machines that randomly dial numbers and disconnect if no telemarketer is available. Users share experiences of receiving such calls, often followed by unsolicited text messages claiming prizes or offers. Solutions suggested include blocking calls from private numbers through mobile operators or utilizing built-in call blocking features on Android devices. Some users report success in reducing such calls after taking preventive measures, while others express frustration over the persistence of telemarketers and the potential for scams involving high-cost calls. The conversation highlights the challenges of dealing with telemarketing practices and the importance of protecting personal information. Generated by the language model.
TL;DR: 49 % of unknown calls are spam or fraud [Truecaller, 2023]; “always screen hidden numbers,” warns telecom analyst Dr Anna Kowal [Kowal, 2024]. Most ‘private number’ beeps come from predictive dialers; ask your operator to block hidden IDs or enable phone filters.
Why it matters: fewer nuisance calls and no surprise charges.
Quick Facts
• Hidden-caller rejection is free on all major Polish networks; activate via *611 or online panel [Orange SG, 2024].
• Predictive dialers abandon 3–5 % of calls when no agent is free [Ofcom, 2023].
• Premium-rate prefixes like “+44 70” can cost up to PLN 20 /min [UKE, 2023].
• EU rules cap telemarketing hours to 08:00–21:00 local [EU 2002/58/EC].
What makes a “private number” call that just beeps and hangs up?
A predictive dialer dials many numbers at once. If you answer before an agent is free, the system drops the call, so you hear only “pi-pi-pi” [Elektroda, REVISOR, post #14715372] Abandonment averages 3-5 % of all dialer traffic [Ofcom, 2023].
Is my number harvested when I answer a hidden call?
Can Android or iOS block "Unknown" calls without apps?
Most Android 9+ phones let you silence unknown or hidden numbers under Phone > Settings > Blocked numbers [Google Help, 2024]. iOS 13+ offers Silence Unknown Callers in Settings > Phone. These features divert calls to voicemail; they do not ring the handset.
Will answering an international spam call cost me money?
No, in Poland you never pay for receiving calls while you are inside the country, regardless of origin [UKE FAQ, 2023]. Charges apply only if you roam abroad or if you later call the premium number back [Elektroda, DiZMar, post #14726361]
What is “predictive dialer abandonment” and why does it matter?
Abandonment is when a predictive dialer disconnects because no agent is available. EU law fines call centres if their abandonment rate exceeds 3 % [Ofcom, 2023]. High rates annoy consumers and trigger complaints.
Are one-ring scam calls ("wangiri") still common in Poland?
Yes. Scammers give one ring from numbers resembling local landlines, hoping you call back. The line then routes to premium international service costing up to PLN 20 /min [Elektroda, noel200, #14718970; UKE, 2023].
How do I stop unwanted premium SMS charges?
Text “STOP” to the service short-code.
Log into your operator panel and block premium SMS.
File a complaint if charges persist. Operators must refund unauthorized subscriptions within 30 days [UKE Consumer Guide, 2023].
Can telemarketers keep calling after I demand data erasure?
Under the GDPR you can object to processing and request erasure. Companies must stop using or selling your number unless they have a legal basis to retain it [EU 2016/679]. Users report fewer calls after asserting this right [Elektroda, helmud7543, post #14720622]
What hours are telemarketing calls legal in Poland?
EU e-privacy rules restrict unsolicited calls to 08:00–21:00 local time unless you gave explicit consent [EU 2002/58/EC]. Calls outside these hours can be reported to UOKiK for enforcement.
Edge case: can a system error charge me for incoming calls?
Rare billing glitches can misallocate costs; one user saw a call logged on the recipient’s bill [Elektroda, iagre, post #14726421] Always dispute such charges; operators must correct proven errors within 30 days [UKE Complaint Rules, 2023].
How do I file a complaint about fraudulent call charges?
Gather your itemized bill and note disputed entries.
Submit a written complaint to the operator within 14 days.
If refused, escalate to the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) using their e-form. Most resolved within 45 days [UKE, 2023].
