Adult chat line bill - Telebilling

Doug_Peterson

I've had two very frustrating calls with Vodafone about this tonight.

I've been getting this texts for the last few months, I've called the texter back, it's always a Vodafone voice mail. The numbers always start "+447708 409"

Yet the call center told me it's more than likely a prank because it's a private number and not a short code, I'm going to try again tomorrow because clearly they are wrong.

They told me my only option was to contact the police for a crime reference number, I disagree, I think this abuse of the Vodafone network should be something they are addressing, it shoudln't be my job. Besides, what's the point of reporting one number, I'll just get another text in a few days with a different three digits at the end.

Doug_Peterson

A reply from Vodafone...

I can confirm that you’ve been charged for Text Info Service. There is a possibility that you or somebody using your phone has accidentally subscribed to this service or you have entered your mobile details online on some popup adverts.

You can stop these messages by replying with ‘STOP’. The text info service charges vary depending on the charging company; however, they always display the charging information in their adverts. As the charges applied on your phone account is not charged by Vodafone, I won't be able to refund the charges.

These companies randomly send SMS to blocks of numbers. We cannot prevent this but you can. You have the right to register your mobile number (and Home numbers) with the Telephone Preference Scheme.

You've receive the message from MX Telecom (Love Match info).

You can contact the customer service on 0845 355 3445 and [EMAIL="help@sms-helpdesk.com"]help@sms-helpdesk.com[/EMAIL]

Sarj

Hi

I recieve these texts all the time, and i just delete them. However the other week my phone was unlocked in my pocked and i must have got the text and my phone automatically started to dial out to the number. It must have been on for no more then 5 minutes. I did not think no more of it and then got a call the other day from a woman from Telebilling advising i had used an adult chat line and i need to pay £34.50. i advised that i had not intentionally made the call, but she insisted i give her my post code so she can send me an invoice, and i refused and said i will call back the next day to pay as i did not have my wallet on me to make a debit card payment (i thought it was not their fault my phone was not locked so ill just pay it and be done with it). i advised £34.50 is a bit extortionate, but she insisted that that was what i have to pay. I then asked what what the complaints procedure was and at that point she went to speak to her manager and came back and advised me if i were to make a debit/credit card payment tomorrow they would make it £17.50, so i agreed and advised i will call back tomorrow as i was at work.
When i came home i did some research on Telebilling and how they have been in trouble with Ofcom and Watchdog before, so was really hesitant to pay the bill even though they reduced it to £17.50.
I called them the next morning and spoke to a woman and asked if i could speak to Alex Robson, and she replied he is in another office can i ask him to call you back, i said no and asked for David Larner and got the same reply (these two are the owners of Telebillng. She said what it was about and when i gave her my number she asked for the £17.50 i refused and said £17.50 for 5 minutes to a premium rate number was too extortionate, and i also advised i have contacted Ofcom, and Watchdog. After a couple of minutes of discussing she said "we have been discussing this on the phone for a few minutes now, so what i will do is close the balance, and bar your numbers from our services. I said i will definitely not get any further correspondence at home will i, and she replied no
So i think if you give them a ring and ask for ALex or David and also mention you have contacted Ofcom, and Watchdog, they might wipe your debt off too
Sarj

maninthestreet

Sarj, you (or you mobile phone) didn't call a premium rate number, you called an ordinary landline phone number, and there is no legal obligation to pay them a penny. There is nothing they can do if to enforce payment if you don't give them your name address.

_Layla_

Sarj wrote: »

Hi

I recieve these texts all the time, and i just delete them. However the other week my phone was unlocked in my pocked and i must have got the text and my phone automatically started to dial out to the number. It must have been on for no more then 5 minutes.

:rotfl:Ok... let's go with that. . . :T

MothballsWallet

Vodafone_company_representative wrote: »

Hi MothballsWallet

It's a good question!

When something like this is identified, we take as much detail as possible and pass it on to our Fraud, Risk and Security team to perform an investigation and take any necessary action.

Anything that could damage a cusotmer experience is not taken lightly and we do everything we can to resolve it.

Thanks

Kirsty
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

Interesting - I had an unsolicited text (not from Telebilling), found it was on a Vodafone number, reported it to Vodafone only to be told "it's not a business number, and it's been ported to O2, we can't do anything further."

O2 say I have to report it to the police, which I feel would be wasting police time as it's a network operator issue, not a criminal one

It's about time the networks started caring more about the ordinary, private individual consumer when they report things like this and not kiss up to the businesses who take out the numbers, sometimes under false pretences.

lucy266

I've just received a bill from these scumbags. I knew virtually straight away it was a scam but a quick google check confirmed my suspicions and brought me on here. It's one thing to send people dodgy texts, but to send bills in the post is beyond a joke. Please can someone advise me if there is somewhere official where I can make a complaint about them? I'm tempted to write them a little 'note' and return it in the envelope they helpfully provided (without a stamp of course)

maninthestreet

lucy266 wrote: »

I've just received a bill from these scumbags. I knew virtually straight away it was a scam but a quick google check confirmed my suspicions and brought me on here. It's one thing to send people dodgy texts, but to send bills in the post is beyond a joke. Please can someone advise me if there is somewhere official where I can make a complaint about them? I'm tempted to write them a little 'note' and return it in the envelope they helpfully provided (without a stamp of course)

Ignore the bill, it's not legally enforceable - how did they get your address?

lucy266

God knows, it could be anywhere as I'm always registering with different sites. I normally tick the boxes to prevent junk mail but have probably missed a few. I'm not worried about the bill but I'd like to do something to prevent them harrassing other people in the future.

ganonman

Text from +447786943071
Exactly how it reads, including spelling mistake:

"ot heard from U for a while... give us a ring this weekend if ur about and feeling naughty!! 02081142920 Lisa



cs08444994756 NF 18+"

I don't think I'll call either of the numbers in the text.

It seems to be pretty random as I don't get involved with those sort of services.