Text message scam

Christinencl_2

I am an O2 online mobile phone customer. I received my phone bill the other day and was concerned at the charges. I never go over my inclusive allowance of calls and texts so anything over my usual charge alerts me. On further investigation I found I had been charged for several text messages RECEIVED at a rate of approx £1.30 + VAT. I telephoned O2 and their customer service section informed me that these texts were Premium Rate and were sent by unscrupulous means but were acting JUST within the law. O2 said they would block the text numbers given ie 80082, 80086 but the charges remain. They say there is no way I can bar these numbers from my phone personally. I thought I was safe until a further 4 messages were sent to my phone today.
Any advice or help anyone ????

Edinburghlass_2

The only thing you can do is text back the word STOP to the number. I have had these type of texts and lost all credit on my phone within minutes with these texts coming in. All Orange said to me was I or someone with access to my phone must have signed up for them.

edit to add: go to the Telephone Preference Service where you can add your mobile number to stop unwanted texts.

wazza

The only thing you can do is text back the word STOP to the number.  I have had these type of texts and lost all credit on my phone within minutes with these texts coming in.  All Orange said to me was I or someone with access to my phone must have signed up for them.

edit to add:  go to the Telephone Preference Service where you can add your mobile number to stop unwanted texts.

am i right in saying if u text them back with the word 'STOP' won't you get charged £1+

Edinburghlass_2

I wasn't charged for texting back STOP? I have a PAYG phone and these scam texts drained my credit and I wasn't prepared to top up and receive more. Fortunately I get five free texts a day and eventually I was able to use that to send STOP but I do remember that it was rejected a couple of times before finally going through.

reelcrazy

edit to add: go to the Telephone Preference Service where you can add your mobile number to stop unwanted texts.

Where about on the TPS site can you do this? I can only find the Landline bit.

kaaloo

I was hit with £20+ of these disgusting scammy messages - I would never sign up for crap like that so when I phoned Orange they simply didnt give a damn - all they cared about was me paying their bill which I did.

They accussed me of subscribing by sending the first text to this company who i had never heard of.

I phoned them on 3 separate occasion and I just had one simple request:

Can you please tell me the date I supposedly texted this company?

I was told on 3 occasions "Sorry I dont have the time to check"

After around 9 years of being an Orange customer and being a high user (thats what they told me) who pays by Direct Debit, i had great pleasure in cancelling not only my contract but another 3 family and friends who joined because of me.

The guy on disconnections was pleading with me to stay! His opening comment was "I will match any offer you have had" - the pleasure of leaving was immnense!

Protest with your feet - these big companies dont care about individuals, no one cares until you stop paying that is!

FF99

Is it possible to ask for an advance ban on all premium rate incoming texts ?

kaaloo

Is it possible to ask for an advance ban on all premium rate incoming texts ?

Orange said it can't.  It doesnt help when u have companies encouraging people to send FREE TEXTS VIA THEIR WEBSITES - I'm sure it is these companies that pass on or actually use your details.  And the problems is, If someone sends me a text using this method, I have no control cos they are the ones giving my number out and I have to pay £1.50 to receive their crap.

Makes me mad to be honest.

K ;D

gk172

My daughter lost £9 3x£3 in messages recieved this very weekend >:(  she earned her £10 voucher and woke up to find it all gone, so i called 02 for an explanation thinking top-up had went wrong or taken back and they told me the credit has gone to a premium number at 3 quid a go for 3 texts RECIEVED and i was to call 02084321281 and they would get it stopped, which i did do but i think its a call center in india as the woman spoke poor english and on one hand told me it would be refunded and then told me it wouldnt and then it would  so i really have no faith in the phone call, my querie is now do i allow her to top up again with the same sim or try and get another 02 online sim and start afresh? Worst of it is on there website it does clearly state no one under 16 is allowed to recieve texts but daughter is only 10 so was upset her credit disappeared and i have told her not to expect it back but untill i know for sure wont top up just yet.

anita1

me and my bfriend has had the same problem with T-mobile and the bill has now gone on to a debt collectors .
But there is a way you can stop companys from sending txts, calling your mobile and Landline. The company is called 'The Telephone Preference Service' , you register your name Mobile or Telephone number and they block all calls and txts from unknown companys giving away free ringtones, ..... wanting oppinions etc.
HTH

kaaloo

I wouldnt bank on it - Ive heard its not 100% guaranteed.