Premium text? OMG

Nicky321

Now what should the next step be? I found this while googling for more information. The Unhappy Chappy comment is mine.

OneADay

Just lodge a complaint with phonepayplus - you can phone them and explain everything in detail. If they find in your favour, you might get away with a refund from the company sending the text. Also log a complaint with Ofcom - though they will point you to Phonepayplus but insist they deal with it as its a network issue too (i.e. too many premium texts being received). And see if you get any joy...

Nicky321

have logged a complaint with phonepayplus online, their phone lines where closed. Just hope its not too long before they get back in touch.

Nicky321

Just seen a very similar incident on Thats Britain BBC1, woman has been charged £250 for a service she hasnt used on top of her £30 normal bill.

Nicky321

My son has just received another unsolicited text message from a different number now, he doesnt know what to do, cant get hold of O2 cos there shut

OneADay

There is not really much O2 can do - the problem is with the party sending your son texts. Just don't reply to them - check them out on the web first to see if they are legit.

Your son could ask O2 to suspend his service whilst the problem is being resolved through phonepayplus. And ask O2 if they can issue a new number. You could get a pay and go sim card, register new number and port onto the O2 contract.

Best to speak to phonepayplus in the morning - they will go through exact events in detail.

Nicky321

Well I have left phonepayplus a complaint about Switchfire on their website complaint form, so hopefully they will get intouch soon. Also rang Switchfire and made sure his number is unsubscribed from any of their services. Registered his number with TPS and rang o2 again.

NFH

OneADay wrote: »

There is not really much O2 can do

Not true. O2 can block texts from the offending party, and block payments from O2 to the offending party. O2 will be reluctant to do this because they retain a cut of each charge.

Nicky321

NFH wrote: »

Not true. O2 can block texts from the offending party, and block payments from O2 to the offending party. O2 will be reluctant to do this because they retain a cut of each charge.

I did ask them about their "duty of care" policy towards protecting their customer (didnt get much response) I also asked them did they not think it out of character for a customer who has never sent or received a premium text in the whole time being with them, suddently receive 76 in 5 hours (didnt get response) also did alarm bells not trigger with them when his usual bill is less than £50 and suddenly its £120! TBH they where hopeless. I even said about taking them to the small claims court, they didnt actually think I meant O2 but just the offending party

Annie._2

Unlike Vodafone and T Mobile who offer a bar to stop these scammers, O2 does not offer the service for their customers to be able to protect their accounts.

Revenue would be less, stop the scammers less income, and it is not in O2s interest to offer a 'unsolicited reverse charge premium rate short code SMS bar' and O2 continues to be partners in crime with the scammers ripping off their customers and taking part of the proceeds.