Spam Texts costing £1.50 (merged threads)

ianfm

Has anyone had experience of having to pay for unwanted and unsolicited texts. I am recently received several texts on my 02 PAYG mobile and was charged £1.50 per text. I never use texting, never give out my mobile number, in fact i only have my mobile for emergencies hance using PAYG so I know I have never subscribed to any premium text provider.

I contacted 02 who were lesss than helpful and they suggested I contact ICTIS. ICTIS told me to send a message STOP to the text number which I did. They gave me the number to phone of a company called Wireless Information Services (WIS) whom ICTIS say would have to provide me with details of where my number was subscribed and deal with any refunding issues. ICTIS will not deal with refunds.

When I contacted WIS they said that I would have to phone an 0871 premium number to get the information I want and any refund. By the time I have done it will have cost me in time and phone calls to get my money back. ICTIS say they can't take up my case but simply investigate complaints and if the company is in breach then award some sort of penalty. In the meantime WIS or Cumulus have got my money and are making it very difficult for me to get any recompense.

Anybody have any ideas or advice.

frivolous_fay

Hello, I'm having the same problem. Somehow a company called Zamano have got hold of my new number and started texting me. I haven't yet rung them but I intend to, and I won't be letting it drop.

I'd be interested to know if it's the same company that is troubling you. I'm with T-mobile.

Edinburghlass_2

I have now merged a few threads together about spam/premium rate texts.

They will be in date order so try having a read back to see if you can find any info that might help you

Edinburghlass_2

Also have a look at https://www.grumbletext.co.uk

frivolous_fay

Funny, I thought I just posted that

frivolous_fay

A lady called Colette has just taken my details and promised me a refund. She told me a company called Tyrone (?) were the ones responsible for sending texts.

I await with anticipation.

ianfm

frivolous_fay wrote:

Hello, I'm having the same problem. Somehow a company called Zamano have got hold of my new number and started texting me. I haven't yet rung them but I intend to, and I won't be letting it drop.

I'd be interested to know if it's the same company that is troubling you. I'm with T-mobile.

The company who sent me the texts are Cumulus, PO Box 44, 2 Landsdowne Row, London, W1J 6HL.

Despite a promise to call me back toi discuss the problem they have not, surprise, surprise. I am going to send them a recorded mail letter with a bill for the texts and also for my time and phone calls added on. If they fails to pay up then I will see about taking them to the small claims court.

Cumbrian_Male

You can also register mobiles with the telephone preference service.

See this extract

Telephone_Preference_Service_Website wrote:

Do you know you can register mobile telephone numbers?

The Telephone Preference Service can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers, however it is important to note that this will prevent the receipt of live marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. This is because under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2004 it is unlawful to send an unsolicited sales and marketing text message. Telemarketing companies who send SMS messages need your prior permission. There is no obligation therefore for companies sending SMS messages to people who have agreed to receive them, to screen against the TPS file. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, please send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is responsible for the enforcement of these regulations. Please click on the useful links page for their details.

From FAQ

7. Will registering my mobile number on the TPS reduce the receipt of text (SMS) messages?

No. New legislation, which came into force on 11 December 2003, makes it unlawful to send an unsolicited direct marketing SMS to an individual subscriber unless the recipient has previously given their consent to such communications.

Text messages are defined as "electronic mail" under the Regulations and, as such, they should not be sent without the prior consent of the individual subscribers. Companies are therefore, not obliged to screen against TPS because they should already have established prior consent.

If you are receiving SMS marketing and have not given prior permission, you can complain directly to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), whose details are under the 'Useful links' section on the left hand menu or for more details see the Guidance Notes which the Information Commissioner's Office have produced Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.

However registering your mobile number on the TPS will reduce the number of unsolicited voice sales and marketing calls you receive on your mobile

Information Commissioners Office

The Information Commissioners Office get results, I have complained to them before and very happy with the outcome. Not to do with spam text but unsolicited marketing calls.

rrwfotr

Hi about two weeks ago I started receiving tele-marking /dating messages from a company I DID NOT subscribe to. I have found out that I have been charged around a £1 pound per message. All I got from Orange was that they can't do anything and it was up to me to chase the company. As far as Orange was concerned was that I will be charged for the messages I have not asked for. This must be the biggest scam ever. I am being charged for a service I did not request and no one can be asked to sort it. All I was told to do was text stop to the messages that I have received and I received a message saying the messages will be stopped. However what about the 40 odd text messages I have received that I did not ask for....am I missing something here....what can I do....?

Edinburghlass_2

Have a read of the previous posts on this thread I have merged your post with.

I had these texts myself before and although I hadn't subscribed to any websites I had once voted using text and can only assume thats where they got my number from