Prizefun, SB7 mobile Ltd scam

harry66

Hi,
I was on my phone try to read a rolling stone article when some screen popped up on top with some silly questions.
I assumed it was one of those nag survey screens you see on websites where you have to answer questions in order to read the article. I answer a few of the questions but the popup would not disappear so I just gave up.

Next thing I know I get a text message telling me I will be charged £15 for 3 entries to PrizeFun.

Thinking back, just before I dismissed the page, I did see something at the bottom in small writing saying click to enter - you will be charged £5. It was in tiny writing and certainly not clear that clicking the answer buttons would make the charge.

I have rang the number on the text message but they refuse to cancel the charges.

Firstly, I did not even know it was possible to be billed £5 for just clicking a single button on a phone browser - no confirmation, no payment details etc. How can I disable this?

Also, any ideas how I can get my money back.

Thanks for any help.

Kingsd316

Did you put your phone number in?

Silk

You will need to report it to phonepayplus http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/


You should also send "STOP" to the text number to stop further charges being made

harry66

Kingsd316 wrote: »

Did you put your phone number in?

No - no phone number entry - just a click of a button on the web page. It seems that on an android phone, you can rack up mobile phone charges simply by clicking a button on a browser page.

I even have in-app purchases disabled in the Play Store and password authorisation required to make a purchase - made no difference.

harry66

Silk wrote: »

You will need to report it to phonepayplus http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/


You should also send "STOP" to the text number to stop further charges being made

There is no text number shown in the receipt sms I received - only a landline number to call. Already called them to cancel.

Thanks.

pepdavies

Have you actually been charged or just had messages telling you that you have? You may find the only charges are from the number you called to cancel. Was it a premium rate number?

HoofeHearted

Just had a look at http://prizefun.com on my PC.
It says, "This is a subscription service that will cost £4.50 per week until you send STOP to 60083 to unsubscribe at any time (other comps may operate on a different number, you must reply to the 5 digit shortcode you are receiving messages from).


http://www.smswatchdog.com/text-message-from/PrizeFun.com/1 shows that you are not on your own.

superbigal36

Did you win ?

harry66

HoofeHearted wrote: »

Just had a look at prizefun.com on my PC.
It says, "This is a subscription service that will cost £4.50 per week until you send STOP to 60083 to unsubscribe at any time (other comps may operate on a different number, you must reply to the 5 digit shortcode you are receiving messages from).


http://www.smswatchdog.com/text-message-from/PrizeFun.com/1 shows that you are not on your own.

You get a different screen when you browse from a mobile phone browser - not the £4.50 subscription service - much worse - the £5 a click competition! No replying to messages etc - one click and you get charged!

FYI: The text message I got was as follows:
FreeMsg: you've paid £15.00 for 3 Entries from PrizeFun (visited at 10:01am) HELP? 02035406597, care.bwud9f@pfi-sb7.com

harry66

superbigal36 wrote: »

Did you win ?

Spent several minutes with Vodafone CS and it seems that whilst I was charged £15, 'as the charges were wrongly charged to you, so the system refunded and removed the charges on the account.'

I have kept the chat transcript - just in case I do end up getting charged when my bill arrives so I can contest it.

Thanks to everyone for their replies.
FYI: The company who run this scheme are called sb7 mobile.

HoofeHearted

Looks like they have had their wrists slapped before.
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/For-Business/Adjudications/2010/7/SB7-Mobile-Ltd-CAS-01370-9RM0C0-Track-2-4A33FA2E-6880-E011-A937-001B7899F8F4.aspx