Bogus Debt Help Text Messages

basketcase

North_East_Derbyshire_CAB wrote: »

Hi all,

Just to let you know they are still at it.

Text messages saying "Drowning in debt? A government solution could write off 70% of your debts. Text back HELP to this number and an adviser will call you back now"

Guess what? This was actually sent to Amy one of our debt caseworkers.

Talk about random contacts

She has responded by text message and we are awaiting their call.

NED-CAB

Let us know what happens - this is a disgrace! A case for Watchdog, perhaps?

lilmismayhem

There doesn't seem to have been any action on this thread for some time but I have recieved two text messages in the past fortnight from 07729881606. The text reads:

Wipe off your debts!: Begin your application and start wiping off debt with a New Government Settlement Order from April, reply YES to find out more otherwise no

I've typed that exactly how it came through. I'm on TPS and give out a fake mobile number when signing up to things online so no one has my number except friends and family. Can't find anything online relating to this number but I suspect it's a scam.

Anyone else getting this?

Talldave

Yes, I got one yesterday. I also had an identical message a couple of weeks ago from 07593352756. It would be nice to know who's behind them so I can report them to TPS.

lilmismayhem

Hi Talldave

It seems they are using different mobile numbers as well then if you got an identical message. I'm trying to find out what I can do about this and will post what I find out.

Cheers for responding - thought I might be the only one getting these!!!

Looking_Walking

I get a message like these once in a while. While it is annoying, I just erase them because they do not come that often. Still, it would be nice to have them stop altogether.

Bhindi_Bhaji

I am currently being inundated by texts from this 07729881606 number, I get about 5 texts a day sometimes and my mobile is registered with tps,
i'm also getting phone calls from 08433290124 with a similar automated message.
I have never had a problem on this number before and I have had the mobile number for nearly 10 years

Joolz99

I just got the following message from 07541425236 - "Hi [my name] Begin your application today too and start wiping off debt with a New Government Settlement Order, reply YES to find out more, otherwise no".

I'm also registered on the TPS and never consent to any kind of marketing.

Last friday I also received a message from a company called "Debt Line" which read "Hi [my name] I urgently need to speak to you about your debts. I work for Debt Line and can help you today. Call now 01202560514 (ToOptOutTxt DL to60006)"

Now I can't proof these two are linked, but it's quite a coincidence that I get two text messages from debt management companies less than a week apart, and that according to the third google link on a search for '07541425236' (sorry - I can't post links yet!) that number is related to the Bognor Regis/Bournemouth area - where Debt Line happen to be based!

Bhindi_Bhaji

I wonder how these people are getting the numbers then, it certainly sounds a little bit suspect

Joolz99

I can't believe it! Just received another one from 07729875392, this one reads ""New government settlement order from april 2010. Wipe all your debt within 12 months. For a free no obligation quote text HELP now."

This one is also registered to O2 (from the answerphone message) so I've complained about both numbers to them.

As for Debt Line, their website, and the group behind them, the Richmond Group have plenty of contact details so I'm hopeful I can force them to tell me who they bought my details from.

I think whoever has sold my number to Debt Line is responsible for selling it to the other companies perhaps, rather than Debt Line/The Richmond Group being responsible for these text messages.

pippa_h

Joolz99 wrote: »

As for Debt Line, their website, and the group behind them, the Richmond Group have plenty of contact details so I'm hopeful I can force them to tell me who they bought my details from.

Did you manage to find anything out? I've had about 5 calls and texts this week alone and it's driving me mad.