Consumers Union is taking T-Mobile's recent announcement of its new direct carrier billing services to sound the alarm bell. In an announcement, the nonprofit consumer protection organization, best known as the publisher of Consumer Reports, said it was concerned about the lack of protections afforded consumers against fraudulent purchases and mistakes when using direct carrier billing.

"Mobile payment products promise a new, convenient way to pay, but consumers could end up losing money if something goes wrong with their transaction," said CU Senior Attorney Michelle Jun.

Consumers Union said mobile payment services like those launched by T-Mobile could put consumers at risk as they do not provide the same statutory protections consumers using credit and debit cards receive against fraud, protections that limit consumers' liability.

According to CU, the T-Mobile consumer contract does not provide any consumer protections in its language.

"T-Mobile's mobile payment plan may eliminate the need to enter credit card information when making purchases, but it also tosses out the consumer protections that come along with credit cards," Jun said.

In June, Consumers Union released a report covering the perceived threats of fraud inherent in direct carrier billing across several wireless providers and direct carrier billing service providers.

"If wireless carriers expect consumers to feel comfortable using mobile payment services, they need to provide at least the same level of protections that come with credit cards," Jun said. "T-Mobile and other wireless carriers can safeguard consumers from mobile payment fraud and mistakes by putting those protections in their contracts."

Recent studies have shown one of the greatest threats to wider adoption of mobile payments is consumers' concerns over fraud and security.