Mobiplanet UME Limited premium rate scam

wakko

Unfortunately I ignored my pay-monthly o2 conract for too long, to discover these 4.50 GBP weekly charges that occured on a weekly basis - caused by Mobiplanet/UME. I read about on the PSA website and immediately texted 'STOP ALL' to [FONT=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial]83463 to stop further charges - b@stards charged me another one the same day.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial]Still trying t figure how they subscribed me - other sites are writing about loopholes in the payforit system and sneaky banners.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial]After emailing [EMAIL="help@umelimited.com"]help@umelimited.com[/EMAIL], they said I need to contact [EMAIL="claims@umelimited.com"]claims@umelimited.com[/EMAIL] -> immediately knowing this will be difficult. They are now trying to argue by attaching a weblog that shows the subscription date.
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[FONT=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial]What does this proof?! I never subscribed knowingly, got any notification of the subscriptions and terms - they have probably used bogus methods (sneaky popup banner, etc) to subscribe my number without my knowledge and consent. I pushed back on them insisting on full refund. I don't expect them to be [/FONT][FONT=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial]cooperative.
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[FONT=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial]Anyone got any idea how to further escalate/take actions? Inform PSA, contact mobile phone provider? Initiate small claims online after 14 days?
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payforitsucks

Mobiplanet is a well known Payforit scam. Googling "Mobiplanet" will show that there have been many other victims.
You need to be aware that O2, and most of the other networks, leak you phone number to "trusted third parties" when you access the internet using mobile data (as opposed to WiFi). The mechanism responsible for this is called "Payforit". When you click on a link belonging to on of these "trusted third parties" they obtain your phone number and are then allowed to charge your account. Many consumers are unaware that this can happen until they fall victim to one of these Payforit scams.


There are safeguards which SHOULD mean you see clear information about the service you are subscribing to and the associated charges BEFORE you are comitted to a subscription. Unfortunately these safeguards are widely circumvented using clickjacking and iFraming exploits. This was demonstrated on BBC Watchdog a few weeks ago. Therefore any so called "evidence" of your consent can easily be discounted should the matter go to court.



You need to ask UME Ltd for the following details:
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• [FONT=&quot]Screenshots of the subscription workflow where you were alleged to have signed up for this service.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]A description of what the service you are supposed to have subscribed to provides? Is this a newsletter, access to a web portal?[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Any evidence that after supposedly signing up for the service, you actually used it[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]The complete web server log of the subscription, including the User Agent strings containing all device details (browser, device type, device IP address) together with dates and times.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Full company details of the company operating the service, country of registration, full name of company, company number and registered company address.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Details of any ADR scheme you can refer the matter to in the event that they refuse a FULL refund.
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UME Ltd are UK Based, so you can use the Small Claims procedure to seek a refund. The PSA website lists their address as:


Universal Mobile Enterprises Ltd
Universal Mobile Enterprises
Shepherd's Building
Rockley Road
Shepherd's Bush
W14 0DA
United Kingdom


However Companies House gives the following address:
6 Langdale Court

Witney

Oxfordshire

OX28 6FG



Be aware that legal papers should be served to the latter address, although it would be prudent to send copies to the London address.


Make sure you report your case to the PSA. Even if legitimate consent was given, the Payforit "120 day rule" should have resulted in the "subscription" being stopped after 120 days if the "service" wasn't used.



If the Company doesn't refund in full, you should send a "letter before action" to the company giving them at least two weeks to refund or face legal action. Ask them if they want to use CommsADR to resolve the issue. If they don't give a satisfactory response you can use Moneyclaims Online to claim against them.


Full details of how to respond to these scams are on the Payforitsucks website (Google payforitsucks).

Wings_of_Ambition

Just to add to this, back in 2018, I complained and demanded proof of exactly how the subscription had been activated on my phone number.

I was sent a generic response that I would have clicked through one of their links, been presented with the charges & T&C's, and confirmed..... none of which happened.  They gave me an email to escalate my complaint, which I did, requesting "proof of my consent to these charges, with specific dates, times and URL's followed".

Despite an obnoxious response from them saying that they had been clear in their previous email, they approved a full refund of the charges, which I picked up from the Post Office the following week.  Keep at it if these little scammers are being difficult.  The payforit website was very helpful too.