From Cryptome.org:

A3 sends: The latest news from the world of rip-off mobile phone operators Sneaky mobile phone provider T-Mobile has closed a major loophole in accessing voicemail in the UK. Millions of users of the network have been avoiding additional out-of-plan charges to access voicemail, by exploiting a system vulnerability. Instead of using the normal keypad press, users have been using a well publicised method of phoning their own mobile number which then obviously diverts to voicemail, allowing access to messages in the normal manner. Instead of charging out-of-plan, the call is taken off the inclusive minutes. In desperate times, when corporations have to maximise any route to profit then can spot, T-Mobile have finally closed that loophole and in the coming weeks, customers will get a very nasty shock when their bills arrive littered with hundreds of "VoiceMail" itemisations. Oh, and if you thought you could divert to a land line and pick up messages from an answer machine using inclusive minutes - they've got that covered too. You'll be shafted for a call divert charge! I spoke to a smug T-Mobile "customer support advisor" (based off-shore, naturally) who said "Good on you for getting away with it for so long". Please spread the word on this, as people are very much in the dark ...... so far.

2-08-10