TCS Combined Solutions Limited

Publication date	07 January 2021
Case reference	150301
Procedure	Oral Hearing
Adjudicated party	TCS Combined Solutions Limited
Service type	Virtual Gifts
Tribunal's final assessment	Very Serious
Sanctions	Code 14 - 4.8.3 (b) Code 14 - 4.8.3 (d) Code 14 - 4.8.3 (g) Sanctions Code 14 - 4.8.3 (i)
Breaches raised	Code 14 - 2.2.7 Rules relating to pricing Code 14 - 2.3.3 Fairness Code 14 - 3.12.5 Special Conditions Code 14 - 3.4.14 (a) Numbers Code 14 - 3.4.8 Registration Code 14 - 4.2.2 Obligations of Providers of premium rate services Code 14 - 4.2.3 Obligations of Providers of premium rate services
Summary	TCS Combined Solutions Ltd ran a subscription service called ‘DiscountMeDirect’ which operated at two different price points: a maximum of two £2.50 messages per week on one shortcode, or a maximum of three £1.50 messages per week on other shortcodes. Following an oral hearing, the Tribunal found the breaches to be very serious. These breaches included failing to get consent to charge some consumers and failing to send spend reminders. The Tribunal reprimanded TCS, issued a fine of £885,000 and banned the company from the market for three years. It also ordered TCS to refund all customers who claim a refund.
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