Premium SMS Fraud

olly300

I found this thread via Google and contacted BMCM Digital Ltd. They claimed that the retailers including Tesco gave them permission to text people.

As I knew this was a complete lie for a few reasons, later that day I emailed Tesco giving them BMCM Digital Ltd's name and contact details. Tesco have emailed back indicating their displeasure.

So it is probably worth everyone who is spammed and/or ripped off, contacting Tesco and any other large retailer whose name is being used in these texts with the contact details of the spammers plus anything the spammers claim on the phone call.

This is because large companies have the legal clout to prevent their name being used by smaller companies, and will take action if enough people complain as they want to protect their brand from reputational damage.

BTW I've also complained to the Information Commissioner and my network operator. However the spammers keep changing the number they are using.

brianposter

It seems to me that a different approach to the problem might have more chance of general success.

While the operator may have little choice about delivering the message itself, charging for the message and delivering money to the originator of the fraudulent messages (once the operator knows they are deceitful) surely constitutes participating in the fraud.

To my mind any action should involve the police, or at a minimum, Action Fraud, and any phone operator that passes on the relevant charges should be at risk of prosecution.

JamesIan

Hi,
I have been hit with a charge by this bunch of potential crooks.
They sent me two text messages and it seems to relate to Remote Games Ltd.

Msg 1
FreeMsg: Thank you for subscribing to FunnyVideos for £4.50 every week from Remote Games Ltd until you text STOP to 83463. HELP? 03300535843
Msg 2
FreeMsg: Get your Funny Videos here (Link removed).

I did not give my informed consent to charge but they did!
I rang them up on the land line and they told me that they could make a refund but if I emailed helpmanager@careformobile.com they would generate a refund. I also spoke to Three and they said they would speak to the operator. They did and basically told me similar story.

Wapstar do not have a website but interesting is that a search for the email address above yields a range of complaints against this organisation.

Has anyone managed to get a refund?
Who has been successful at taking them to court?

Lots of useful info in this listing. Thanks!
James:(

andy9000

JamesIan, I had the same texts as you. In fact it came three times (once per week), so I ended up paying £13.50 (it was my daughter's phone, so I wasn't initially aware of the problem!).
According to the Companies House website, 'Remote Games Limited' is still active, and their address is 83 Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JQ.
I might try good old fashioned letter writing to seek a refund.

JamesIan

Thanks for the response. I emailed the address given and got this response. I have requested details on my confirmation which of course they dont have.

Using the psauthority number-checker the service highlights a number of organisations using the same code.

First email from Jordan Green (helpmanager at careformobile.com)

In response to your recent inquiry regards mobile services and charges.
I can confirm the service has been stopped and you will no longer receive any more charges for this service. With regards to your refund request, I can advise you that I have approved a discretionary refund. Within the first four weeks the service we would have sent you two SMS messages advising you of the costs and how to stop. The costs were also clearly displayed on the website which you would have engaged with to initially join. The service that was joined is compliant with necessary regulations. Your refund will be issued by text to the mobile number provided within 20 working days. This text refund must be presented to a Post Office within 30 days of receipt to be redeemed.

Kind regards,
==========================
77 Games Management Team
Customer Care



The following organisations use the same code.
Search for the email address and it throws up one site with terms and conditions.
All very shady. Such a pity these people are so difficult to stop.

Check a Number - Result The PSA has the following information about shortcode number:83463

Customer care number : 0333 003 0599
Customer care email : (customer.service at tap2bill.com)
Customer care website : Tap2Bill Limited has not provided this information
Search result provided by : Tap2Bill Limited
Service connected on:26 May 2016
Service terminated on:This service is still operating
Name of service:PayforIt Product Free to User Shortcode
Type of service:Tap2Bill Limited has not provided this information
Service description: Shortcode used for sending free reminder messages and consumers to text STOP to.How much does this service cost? zero
If you would like to find out more about this service or have a question about it, then you should contact the service provider: Tap2Bill Limited
Tap2Bill Limited
Tempus Court
Bellfield Road
HIGH WYCOMBE
HP13 5HA
United Kingdom
If you are unsatisfied with the outcome from the service provider, please get in touch with us here.
Is this the correct result?
If not try other information about 83463 provided by these providers:
Tap2Bill Limited
Service name: PayforIt Product Free to User Shortcode
Service Type: Unknown
Service started on: 26 May 2016
Service ended on: Active
Remote Games Ltd
Service name: TheWinme
Service Type: Competition - non-scratchcard
Service started on: 04 October 2017
Service ended on: Active
Davos Media S.L
Service name: SeeSnaps
Service Type: Entertainment - adult
Service started on: 22 June 2017
Service ended on: Active
TEKKA DIGITAL SA
Service name: Fun Mobile
Service Type: Entertainment - non-adult
Service started on: 05 April 2017
Service ended on: Active

Kernel_Sanders

Jimbo0103 wrote: »

If I am to be charged for each of the 17 messages it comes to quite a large total. The phone is old and is not Android and internet has never been used on it.

If that is so then why aren't you complaining to your provider about charging for receipt of texts?

andy9000

JamesIan wrote: »

Your refund will be issued by text to the mobile number provided within 20 working days. This text refund must be presented to a Post Office within 30 days of receipt to be redeemed.

How does that work? I can't imagine showing a text in my local Post Office and getting some money...:huh:

pmduk

andy9000 wrote: »

How does that work? I can't imagine showing a text in my local Post Office and getting some money...:huh:

The code on the text is unique and relates to a one-off specific refund amount. (similar to natwest's emergency cash system)
One of the phone recyclers paid me this way once.

Connor1981

My wife's phone got a message sent through from remote games for £4.50 for funny videos we txt stop to cancel this but few days later another came through so we phoned the company and they apologised and seen she hadn't subscribed to this and this would stop and we would get refund. Now 8 payments later and constant contact with them this is no closer to resolution o2 don't want nothing to do with it action fraud are looking into this. Payments are now increasing to 3 a week any ideas on how to stop this nonsense once and for all 😩

[Deleted User]

Connor1981 wrote: »

My wife's phone got a message sent through from remote games for £4.50 for funny videos we txt stop to cancel this but few days later another came through so we phoned the company and they apologised and seen she hadn't subscribed to this and this would stop and we would get refund. Now 8 payments later and constant contact with them this is no closer to resolution o2 don't want nothing to do with it action fraud are looking into this. Payments are now increasing to 3 a week any ideas on how to stop this nonsense once and for all 😩

Put a spending cap on your account if possible, that'll stop any further payments.