A German-based company that sells mobile phone ringtones, logos and games has been overcharging some Irish customers by up to 100 per cent, says the Director of Consumer Affairs.
Jamster, the company behind the popular "crazy frog" ringtone among others, has made several refunds to Irish customers but denies any overcharging.
Customers and parents of young children had claimed the company was guilty of overcharging, sending texts in the middle of the night, and not ceasing subscriptions when instructed to do so.
The Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs conducted its own investigation by joining the Jamster ringtone club on the company's website. Its membership entitled the office to six ringtones and six logos for €4 per week. After four weeks, the office unsubscribed and upon checking the bill, a 100 per cent overcharge was discovered.
"We have never overcharged anybody," said Markus Berger de Leon of Jamster. "We have refunded some people [who complained] in order to be nice to our customers," he added.