Spam Texts costing £1.50 (merged threads)

littlestar1981

Diekund wrote:

my sister is getting these texts now. Anyone know how to get rid of them without spending a fortune?

how can the law allow these messages to be sent without requesting them? It is just an all out scam

The chargable ones can only be sent if the number has been subscribed. This can be done in a number of ways... via a website (possibility someones asked for these and typed in their wrong number) via sms, via internet on the phone, via callnig premium numbers, list is endless.

The first thing to do is text the 5 digit shortcode (dont reply to the text write a fresh one) with STOP . Don't put please thanks etc as the whole thing is automated and won't recognise any pleas for help!! You should get a free of charge text back within the hour confirming they have stopped.

If this doesn't work visit http://www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/ncd/default.asp and type in the shortcode. This should give you contact details for the company that operate the shortcode.

If you still fail to stop the messages you could contact your network, o2 for example will try to get them stopped within 5 days. Or contact ICSTIS (https://www.icstis.org.uk) directly, saying you have followed the advice on their site without success.

key215

i had this problem a couple of months back, i spoke to my service provider 3explained that i had txt stop etc to the number. but still got the msgs thru. so kicked up a fuss and they put a bar on the no. didnt get my money back tho

good luck

magoogy

my 70yr old mother has just phoned me to ask if i knew why a company would take £10 overnight from her mobile phone....

i have checked her phone and found the following message;-

you have received this alert from free mag (followed by very rude joke),bla bla bla, if you wish to unsubscribe please text STOP to 84225 -

i have tried to do that but it wont accept the stop and keeps sending the alerts at £1.50 each....overnight they have taken £10 off her phone...how can they? dont they sleep at night?dont they have a conscience?

i phoned her phone company up and they gave me a contact number for the firm 0871872183 but, they were very rude and said she mustve signed for the alerts - what would a 70yr old want with rude jokes/pics? she doesnt even know how to...the phone is for an emergency for her .........

on further investigation over 6days they have taken £21 off her, but, as it is pay as you go we cannot go further back so dont know how much altogether they have took - mother never noticed the money going - she is 70 after all!!!!!!

anyways, i phoned the number and they said all you have to do is text stop, bla bla bla - she mustve signed up to it and that ......they put the phone down on me.........

any advice as to how i proceed please?

thanks

cdon

Have a look at http://www.grumbletext.co.uk they give some good advice on how to handle these scams.

mad_bad_spender

I would phone her provider back and explain that you have contacted the company involved and they are not willing to help to stop the texts. How much is in her phone? Dont top it up until this is resolved. Wish i could help more!

magoogy

told to check out'- http://www.icstis.org.uk/ and found this;-

This is what we know about the number you entered (84225).

We have the following information about this number.
This is a text message service charged at premium rate. Content ranges from ringtones, jokes, games, tarot, chat and more. Call the content provider shown below for more details. This service costs will vary depending on the service that you subscribed to.

they also provide the address of the company..............

also gives information on any other number - very useful site

RoCas

Hi magoogy, you need to amend your link to http://www.icstis.org.uk/

Very useful info, thanks.

magoogy

thanks rocas - have done so - have lodged a complaint with them and found allsorts of other complaints on the firm too.........

Edinburghlass_2

I have merged a number of threads again regarding these texts and there is some great information in the posts as to what to do if you encounter this problem

Diekund

she didnt subscribe or enter her number anywhere. Look up the number on google, hundreds of people have the same problem. Ill tell her to write stop, but ive heard it doesnt work