Protecting yourself from scammers: how to connect a separate account for content services

A cell phone balance can replace a wallet and a bank card, which makes it attractive to mobile scammers. If everything is extremely simple with payment for communication services, then with additional services provided by individual companies, not everything is so simple.

For subscribers who regularly use the services of content providers, operators offer a special separate account service. This allows you to attach an additional account to your number, from which you can pay for content services separately. Today we will tell you what the advantages are and how to use this opportunity.

Content services on MTS

Not long ago, the operator even carried out an entire advertising campaign that clearly demonstrated to subscribers the protection from unnecessary content. For the operator’s clients who want to avoid accidental debits from their balance for ordering and connecting paid services and subscriptions, the “Secure Communication” service is available. In most tariffs of the “Smart” line, such a ban (on calls, SMS, sending requests) is activated automatically and free of charge, and for all others it is possible to connect the option of banning access to the services of content providers for 25 rubles per month.

But there are subscribers who use such services. How to avoid additional charges, but not completely disable access to the services of content providers in this situation? Dividing your account into two will help with this - from one you pay for communication services, and from the other - paid subscriptions and services.

At MTS this service is called “Separate personal account”. You can order an additional invoice using your number only with a personal visit to one of the company’s showrooms with a document. After submitting the application, the subscriber will have access to an additional balance, which can be topped up if necessary in any way, just like the main one.

Important!

After submitting an application at the office, a separate account will become available for use within ten days.

For the convenience of the subscriber, the virtual number of the additional account differs from the main one only in the first digit in the operator code, which is replaced by one. You can check the status of an individual balance in your personal account or via USSD *100*103#.

How the service works

Before debiting money from the additional account, the client receives an SMS notification. Funds will not be transferred without confirmation. After activating the service, the following options will appear:

• request permission from the subscriber before purchasing the service;
• information about visiting paid Internet pages;
• information about the content provider: cost, functionality, restrictions, activation and deactivation options;
• monthly report on expenses on the balance sheet;
• messages about payment for each item that is issued on a Beeline client’s SIM card.

The additional balance is suitable for the child's number. With its help, parents will be able to keep costs under control, block requests for paid content, see time periods for accessing the Internet, and set a ban on certain functions.

Content services on Beeline

Beeline also takes care of subscribers and provides the ability to block any content arriving at a phone number. In promoting its “Cost Control” service, the operator reminds you of the opportunity to block unwanted charges, for example, on the number of a child, who may accidentally order paid content, or activate the service. But an adult can also accidentally order a content service, since often to confirm it is enough to click “OK” in the window that appears on the device screen.

For those who use entertainment and information services not provided by the operator, they can also activate an additional account for the security of their account. This can be done by contacting the operator, or using the USSD command.

Just like on MTS, the additional account differs from the main number in the first digit in the operator code, which for Beeline changes to six.

Features of using the account

The balance status is checked through your personal account on the website beeline.ru. To do this, scroll down the main page and look for the corresponding block. The amount is displayed after clicking on the corresponding button. On the right is a button to go to the money deposit page. Available funds can be transferred to a personal account. To do this, use the request *222*translation size#. If the actions are performed correctly, a corresponding notification is received.

Top up additional balance

Before you start, you need to find out the cost of the activated paid subscription. To do this, send a message with a question mark to the number from which the offer to activate the option comes.

The context balance status is checked using the USSD command *622#.

The amount required to activate the subscription is credited as follows:

1. Switch the phone to dialing mode. Enter the combination *220*.
2. Indicate the amount that will be debited from the personal balance and credited to the additional balance.
3. Place the symbol #. Press the call key.

You can complete the procedure through a payment terminal, ATM or e-wallet. In this case, the number 9 at the beginning of the number is replaced with 6. If this is not done, the money goes to the main balance, which is used to pay for standard communication services. If it is impossible to carry out the operation yourself, please contact the support service at 0611. An employee will carry out the transaction after confirming the client’s identity.

Content services at MegaFon

The advantage of the content blocking service from any operator is that by activating it, the subscriber will be able, if necessary, to pay for additional services via short numbers. True, this applies only to the services of the operator itself, or those provided by government agencies. Therefore, you don’t have to worry that if you block calls, messages and requests for short numbers, you won’t be able to pay for parking.

If you use entertainment services, but want to protect your main account from them, you will need to contact the operator’s salon with a written application to open a “Content Account”. After that, it can be controlled via USSD.

The operator also warns about the virtualization of money that has been in the “Content Account”. Even if they are transferred to the main one, they can only be used to pay for communication services, but this amount cannot be cashed out or transferred to another number.

A special feature of the service on MegaFon is that the “content account” does not have a virtual number, and is retained by the subscriber even if the phone number is changed. Replenishment occurs from the main balance using the command *939#.

Operating principle

The account helps control costs for roaming, entertainment content and Internet.

It works like this:

1. Blocks messages coming from applications that provide paid content.
2. Controls the use of communication services when traveling around Russia.
3. Helps you manage your own number without thinking that if you accidentally subscribe, money will be withdrawn from your main balance.
4. Sends a message with information about the cost of the service, its functionality and benefits. The subscriber will find out which provider provides the content and how to disable the subscription.

The operator becomes responsible for unplanned expenses. Money is debited only with the client's consent.

For a low cost, the client receives a fairly large package of useful services.

Content services on Tele2

Tele2 offers conditions completely similar to other operators. The service is called “Content Personal Account”, from which, when connected, payments for third-party services will be made. An additional account is opened free of charge when you contact the operator’s salon, or upon a short request.

Just like the Big Three, Tele2 also has the ability to block content by subscriber number in full.

Advantages and disadvantages

In the case of the Beeline company, it can be noted that their option contains a sufficient number of advantages. First of all, you can notice that the user receives a wide range of services at a reasonable cost. All services are connected automatically after payment from the auxiliary balance. It is impossible to transfer funds from the main account to an additional account unless the client himself wishes to do so. It is also worth emphasizing the easy process of connecting a subsidiary account - for this it is not necessary to visit the provider’s office, but can be done remotely.

There are no shortcomings as such in this program. The client can completely relax after activating the service, since all complex processes will be handled by the operators.

conclusions

Regardless of the telecom operator, it is possible to create an additional account to pay for the services of content providers. This feature is not widely advertised by companies, unlike various options for “anti-spam” services, since it is absolutely free.

The advantage of an additional content account is the ability to automatically block the services of content providers, even if they are ordered by phone number. Unlike the main account, which can go into the red, the content account does not allow this. This means that if it is zero, then content services simply will not be provided.

It is also worth remembering that a ban on paid services will not protect you from mobile scammers, so you should be careful and remember how to handle your cell phone correctly: watch where you send messages, what numbers you make calls to, and do not open links to third-party unfamiliar resources.

What is additional balance from Beeline

Often, paid options appear on a tariff plan that are added accidentally. Additional balance is an account that is designed to record transactions related to payment for services, content, subscriptions and requests. It needs to be refilled separately. Beeline has specially developed an additional personal account so that subscribers can control their expenses.

A list of all services that Beeline clients can use is provided on the company’s virtual portal.

Connection, disconnection of service

There are three convenient ways to connect an additional balance:

1. USSD request by number *110*5062#. An SMS notification will inform you that the second balance has been created.
2. Through the provider's personal web account. To gain access, the client must register. After this, the subscriber will be able to manage his tariff, account, analyze expenses and control them. Activation algorithm: enter the “Services” section – go to the “Mobile communications and Internet” tab – click on “Content Provider Services”. Connection is done in one click.
3. Using the My Beeline application. After downloading the service, the user will be able to log into his personal account via a smartphone at any time of the day, see a list of services, and enable or disable the option.

Disabling the additional balance is not required. It is enough just not to replenish it. Product activation does not require a subscription fee. If the balance is zero, any paid services will be automatically rejected.

Replenishment

It’s easy to top up your account in any available way or transfer some funds through the command *220*amount#. Then the specified amount of funds will move from the main l/s to the content one. Topping up the balance using the usual method, through a terminal, bank card or smartphone is possible, only 8 or +7 is not indicated before the digital code, and instead of the first 9, 6 is written. Example: instead of 8-909-123-45-56 it is written: 609-123- 45-56.

You can check your additional expense balance by requesting *622#.

Managing additional balance, the Beeline client has the right to set up automatic payment. A certain amount of funds will be written off from the account at the end of each reporting period or when the content account status approaches zero. The contract cannot go into minus. This is additional protection from the provider, preventing unplanned expenses.

How to enable this feature

To connect an account, the USSD command *110*5062# is provided. After sending, the user will receive an SMS notification that the provider has provided a content account. It’s easy to register a second one through the web account of the virtual portal or the Beeline application. Algorithm of actions:

1. Registration on the resource or downloading a personal service for each subscriber.
2. Enter on the main page "Content Account" or "Expense Control".
3. Click the “Connect” button in the tab that opens.

The service is provided free of charge. Registration is possible during a personal visit to the office, if the client was unable to do this independently remotely. If the operation was incorrect, technical support staff will help by calling 8-800-700-8000 or an automatic informant through the voice menu - 0611.

Beeline service numbers and commands

Like other operators, Beeline provides subscribers with service numbers and commands (USSD codes) for all occasions. Using such requests will allow you to manage services on the number, control your account balance without visiting the office, personal account on the website or in the mobile application.

We offer the most complete list of USSD commands and service numbers. To always have them at hand, we recommend saving the most important ones in your phone book or notes program.

With the exception of a number of information and entertainment commands, service requests are completely free, both in the home network and in roaming.

What is a content account?

A content or virtual balance is a separate account that is created to pay for various services of cellular operators. Without such a balance, all funds are debited from the personal account, which can leave the user without money at the wrong time.

Many paid services are activated in a cunning way. For example, a subscriber “wanders” the Internet, viewing different content and following links. And to activate many paid services, you just need to follow one of the special links or, for example, click on a certain picture. Thus, the user, without knowing it, activates a paid service, which will regularly begin to debit money. It will be almost impossible to return these funds.

Children who watch cartoons online, play online games and simultaneously click on bright pictures and colored links are also at risk. The child clicks on the button, and the mobile device automatically connects the unwanted subscription.

There are many tricks and tricks for debiting funds from a phone number, which we covered in detail in this article.

To combat such phenomena, a content account was created. By connecting it, the subscriber creates a second virtual account designed to pay for the content services of the mobile operator. The personal account will continue to be responsible for paying for calls, Internet and other cellular services, and funds for any entertainment content will be debited exclusively from the virtual balance. Thus, the personal account will be protected from unintentional payments.

After creating a second balance, money will no longer be debited automatically. The mobile operator will have to send the subscriber SMS notifications in which the user will be asked to confirm consent to be charged for paid subscriptions.

This is not possible when using a content account, since in the case of a zero balance, support for the paid service will temporarily cease until the next deposit of funds. If you need to permanently stop using paid content, you can simply leave your virtual account at zero.