Unexpected charges from 79910 on my mobile (Oxyra.com/P2E.com) - REFUND OFFERED!

hackeron

I'm editing this post to list just the facts. I was angry with the charges I received on my account but it is not my intention to defame anyone, you can make your own conclusions.

If Oxyra/P2E are abiding by UK law and the regulations set forth by PhonePayPlus, then please disregard any opinionated statements in the original post and consider the facts only. P2E have made it clear that they will step in and protect any brands and / or names which they provide services for.

Oxyra and P2E have reached out to me and offered me a full refund for my charges and also made clear this post (which they read) is my own and my actions to keep/edit or delete it will have no effect on the refund. They informed me they will take action against anyone trying to defame them so any opinionated statements in the post have been removed in favour of just the facts in my posession.

P2E also stressed the fact that they take no responsibility for my error in conduct. I therefore am not claiming the refund they are offering is an admission of guilt on their part and I urge you to draw your own conclusions from this post.

I have been getting charges on my mobile phone from Oxyra - £10 every 3 days. T-Mobile, my carrier have refused to deal with it. Oxyra have told me they can't do anything until there is a police report.

The numbers involved were: 64055 (stop request number?), 79910 (the service number), "OxyraQuiz" (the number that sent me a link to a quiz).

I reported this issue to the Police (at the request of Oxyra), Oxyra (the subscription provider), P2E (the technology provider), Ofcom and https://www.phonepayplus.co.uk (the regulating body). The first charges came on the 20th of June.

After receiving the initial subscription message I did not initiate or confirm from my phone, I double checked T-Mobile's online billing and saw a charge for £10.00! - I immediately sent a "STOP" text to the number in question (79910) and received a confirmation: "Thank you. Your stop request to 79910 has been successfully processed. You will no longer receive messages."

Despite this, I received another message 3 days later from the same number (79910): "U are subscribed to Oxyra and have been re-billed for £10.00 per 3 days. Helpline 02081503720". - Once again this charge appeared on my account.

Oxyra informed me that despite receiving a confirmation that I am unsubscribed from 79910, this was for "information only" and I need to send a "STOP" text to 64055 to be really unsubscribed.

Here is a quote from PhonePayPlus (regulating body) guidance:

For the avoidance of doubt, we would always expect the consumer to be able to text ‘STOP’ to the same shortcode from which they are being billed.

I was charged a second time despite sending a "STOP" text to the shortcode from which I was billed (despite receiving confirmation from this shortcode that I am unsubscribed).

I then took further measures to confirm my intention to unsubscribe again both by email to Oxyra support and sending a "STOP" message 64055. I also asked T-Mobile to put a bar on my account to ensure no more charges are possible. No more charges have been made since.

There have been no SMS messages originating from my mobile phone to initiate or confirm any subscription but it appears any company using https://www.payforit.org (such as Oxyra) for their SMS services (unlike regular Premium SMS messages) does not require an MO (a Message Originating from the mobile phone) to confirm subscription. You can read about this here: http://www.code.phonepayplus.org.uk/privacy-and-consent-to-charge.html (look for "For charges generated by entering a mobile number on a website").

Here are the notes I've made in relation to this:

1. T-Mobile have identified the charges as coming from Global Access with contact numbers: 02030028479 and 02081503720 and email addresses: support@p2e.com and support@oxyra.com
2. The page on PhonePayPlus for the service number is: http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/Number-Checker/Check-a-Number-Results.aspx?ncn=79910 - The service has commenced on 16 May 2012, it is still operating, it is a "PR.ACCOUNT". The type of service, service description, how much it costs, etc are all unknown on the page.
3. I have not used any product or service provided by Oxyra but charged £10 every 3 days (only 2 charges) until I requested my mobile contract provider (T-Mobile) put a bar on my account.
4. Not being provided contact for anyone legally responsible for Oxyra, I had to approach the regulatory company: PhonePayPlus
5. Oxyra have only provided me with a postal address somewhere in South America I believe? -

   Pelitex S.A.
   Ruta 8, km.17,500
   Edificio Biotec Plaza, of. 143 
   Montevideo
   91600
   

6. According to P2E and Oxyra the subscription was made through a website they don't control or have access to, by entering a confirmation number sent to my mobile phone. No originating message is required from the phone to confirm subscription and no proof needs to be provided the subscription was not tampered with until a court order is provided.
7. The Oxyra email signatures list no details of any kind other than "Oxyra Support". There are no company details, contact details, support representative's details or terms and conditions.
8. A confirmation email for every email is sent containing: "This company operates a zero tolerance to any and all customers who are threatening, insulting or abusive to any of our staff. All tickets are reviewed by our skilled operators and a filter is used to extract and block any messages with inappropriate language and swearing. We reserve the right to forward details of any customer who use inappropriate and profane language to an appropriate law enforcement agency. We Thank you in advance for your kind co-operation."
9. Oxyra.com and P2E.com appear to be sharing a lot of infrastruture such as the same provider Global Access and the exact same IP for their mailservers mail.p2e.com and mail.oxyra.com (both 64.111.201.42) yet frequently told me to email one or the other.

I will let you draw your own conclusions from the above.

hackeron

Edited post to avoid sounding defamatory.

anneridd

The exact same "issue" has happened to me through O2 n this occasion, Oxyra appear to be very proficient in "assisting" in these cases. O2 have no record of any authorisation and the IP address used is not know to us. The police are being informed and we shall pursue this with O2 and Oxyra. Beware all readers this is a SCAM on the highest level with what appears to be support of the mobile phone networks as they without verfied authorisation take the unsolicited premium rate charges from accounts with a care :mad:

twiddle

my 12 yr old has just had the same problem. Orange, his service provider say they can do nothing except change his number if the texts continue. So far they have taken £50 from my account. Orange say they are required by uk law to reimburse me but I am loath to give them his phone number again or our address. What do you suggest we do?

hackeron

twiddle wrote: »

my 12 yr old has just had the same problem. Orange, his service provider say they can do nothing except change his number if the texts continue. So far they have taken £50 from my account. Orange say they are required by uk law to reimburse me but I am loath to give them his phone number again or our address. What do you suggest we do?

The only thing you can do is complain, complain, complain. Read my post in detail and refer to it in your complaints - I managed to get a refund by just complaining as much and as loud as I could.

Complain to http://www.phonepayplus.co.uk/ linking this and other threads, report this to the police, write a letter to Orange headquarters, start threads on other sites - basically make yourself heard and make it more profitable for Oxyra just to refund your money as they have done for me.

Furthermore, while Oxyra refunded the £20 I was charged, T-Mobile still charged me VAT on this amount. I cancelled my direct debit and insisted since the Oxyra charges were refunded that therefore T-Mobile must refund me the VAT charged - they called me from their complaints department, I explained my position and they refunded me the VAT on the phone.

Wanabe

My 12 year old son was also targeted by Oxyra and had charges totalling £150 taken from my account. Vodaphone was not exactly swift in providing details of the charges and to begin with sent me completely down the wrong track. I have only today learnt of Oxyra and their methods. Thanks to everyone on this forum for the information you have provided.

Vodafone

Hi Wanabe,

In the event that you require any further assistance from us in regard to this could you email us with the relevant details via the link in our profile here?

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it will take you to the Contact us form on our website.

To ensure that it reaches us could you quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line and once our automated reply arrives update the thread with your email reference number and we'll get back to you as soon as possible?

Thanks,

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK